KOREA FOUNDATION

Letters from AKF

Precious Memories While Studying Abroad

By Nan Nandar Mue, Member of the “In My Korea” Team (4th AKF)  

Hello, I am Nan Nandar Mue, I’m from Myanmar, and I am majoring in tourism management at Pukyong National University in Busan. I first came to know the ASEAN Culture House through an acquaintance, and then applied to join the fourth group of the ASEAN Korean Futurists (AKF) to meet new friends and engage in cultural exchanges with each other. Now, I am so glad to be working with my good friends in the fourth AKF group.

   In July, the ASEAN Cooking Challenge was held as one of the missions of the AKF. I was worried because I was not good at cooking but I was also excited about learning to prepare “Kaldereta,” which is a Philippine dish. I prepared it slowly as instructed in the recipe and wondered whether I would manage to create the authentic taste well, because I hadn’t had a chance to try Philippine food before. But I finished the dish on my own, and it tasted better than I had expected. I hope I will have a chance one day to taste Kaldereta in the Philippines. 

   The ASEAN Cooking Challenge was fun, not only because of the cooking itself but also because it was nice to observe my friends cooking delicious food, too. After finishing the mission, I was encouraged to prepare dishes from other countries. 

   It's a pity that I could only meet my friends on screen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, we worked well together and helped each other wherever possible. Through the remaining missions that are ahead of us I would like to introduce new aspects of Myanmar to my AKF friends and learn more about the cultures of other countries, which I’m not yet familiar with. The AKF activities will remain a precious memory of my life in Korea. I hope we to have further exciting activities with my members in a world without COVID-19 as soon as possible, and I will do my best for all future missions!