GINUE Friend: Ahn Sunyoung from Gyeryong Korea to Africa

 My name is Ahn Sunyoung. My English name is Lauren. My favorite native speaker teacher gave me this name when I was in elementary school.

I was born in Sokcho, but I grew up in so many places that I moved six times in the next six years of elementary school. So there's no specific place to be home.
But I think it's a blessing to have grown up meeting various people in a new area.

When I was in elementary school, I was in Texas for about a year. I think the friendly people and peaceful and exotic environment of that time remain strong in my memory.

저는 속초에서 태어났지만 그 후 초등학교 6년간 6번 이사를 다닐 정도로 굉장히 많은 곳을 거쳐 자라왔습니다. 그래서 고향이라고 특정할 만한 곳이 없습니다.

그러나 저는 새로운 지역에서 다양한 사람을 만나며 자라온 것이 축복이라고 생각합니다.

저는 초등학생때 1년정도 미국 텍사스에서 학교생활을 했습니다. 당시의 정겨운 사람들과 평화롭고 이국적인 환경이 제 기억에 강하게 남아있는 것 같습니다.

저는 고등학교 재학당시 한국지리를 굉장히 좋아했습니다. 개인적으로 사회탐구 과목중 암기할 내용이 적다고 느꼈고 문제유형도 가장 이과적인 성향을 띠고 있다고 생각했습니다. 공부를 하며 점차 한지의 매력에 더 빠져들었던 것 같습니다.

The place I love is Gyeryong, located in Chungcheongnam-do.

Here flows the clear and pure Dugyecheon Stream, giving people rest and relaxation.

There also stands the magnificent and beautiful Gyeryong Mountain, where you can enjoy stunning scenery throughout the four seasons.

Gyeryong Mountain has long been known as a sacred mountain, said to bring good energy according to feng shui.

Because of this, it has been a meaningful place where people have settled for generations.

The area around Dugyecheon is perfect for walking, making it a healing space for many visitors.

Standing at the foot of Gyeryong Mountain, you can feel peace as the mountains and streams blend together.

This region is also attractive because tradition and nature coexist in harmony.

Whenever I visit Gyeryong, I feel comfort and strength from nature.

That is why Gyeryong is more than just a place to me—it feels like a hometown of my heart.