MEET ALEX (MARIE) HAMEL
Adoption details:
I was born in Incheon, South Korea, and was adopted at the age of 4 months old. I was adopted through Social Welfare Society, and was supposed to come to the US at 3 months old, but I got chicken pox, and my orphanage kept me for another month. On August 4th, 1987 family and friends went to the airport to meet me. My dad was the one who went on the plane to get me. I used to watch my arrival tape all the time when I was little.
How has being a KAD shaped your career?
As with most KADs, there comes a time where our eyes are opened to our identity. My time came after college, while I was teaching English in Seoul, Korea. This was the first true time that I was surrounded by others who had similar identity issues, and I was able to talk about it with them. This shaped how I would live my life once I moved back to the US. I enrolled in my Master’s program, International Leadership at the University of St. Thomas, and I mapped my program to be around the studies of North Korea and research on students of color within higher education. I currently work at the University of St. Thomas in the Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement, in which I’m encouraging students to engage the diverse communities that surround them. I believe if I had not lived in Korea, I would not be where I am today. I also believe that I would still be living behind a shield not truly knowing or trying to understand my identity.
Thoughts on KAD Community in MN:
I’ve never been a part of another KAD community within the US, but I’ve heard that Minnesota has the best (or at least the largest) KAD community. I’m thankful that I grew up in such an open community that supports everyone – wherever they are on their identity journey.
Favorite memory of living in Korea:
I have so many memories from my time in Korea that it’s hard to pick just one. What I remember most or what always replays in my head is walking on the sidewalks or along the streets. I loved seeing all the lights and the nightlife at night. I loved the hustle and bustle of the city, which is so unlike the Twin Cities, where everyone is stuck in their cars. I loved looking out and seeing a sea of black hair, and that sense of belonging…until I opened my mouth. It makes me very nostalgic.
Favorite Korean Food:
Doengjang chigae and kimchi chigae. I always overeat and stuff myself whenever I eat Korean food, because it’s that good and I can’t say no to it!
I was born in Incheon, South Korea, and was adopted at the age of 4 months old. I was adopted through Social Welfare Society, and was supposed to come to the US at 3 months old, but I got chicken pox, and my orphanage kept me for another month. On August 4th, 1987 family and friends went to the airport to meet me. My dad was the one who went on the plane to get me. I used to watch my arrival tape all the time when I was little.
How has being a KAD shaped your career?
As with most KADs, there comes a time where our eyes are opened to our identity. My time came after college, while I was teaching English in Seoul, Korea. This was the first true time that I was surrounded by others who had similar identity issues, and I was able to talk about it with them. This shaped how I would live my life once I moved back to the US. I enrolled in my Master’s program, International Leadership at the University of St. Thomas, and I mapped my program to be around the studies of North Korea and research on students of color within higher education. I currently work at the University of St. Thomas in the Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement, in which I’m encouraging students to engage the diverse communities that surround them. I believe if I had not lived in Korea, I would not be where I am today. I also believe that I would still be living behind a shield not truly knowing or trying to understand my identity.
Thoughts on KAD Community in MN:
I’ve never been a part of another KAD community within the US, but I’ve heard that Minnesota has the best (or at least the largest) KAD community. I’m thankful that I grew up in such an open community that supports everyone – wherever they are on their identity journey.
Favorite memory of living in Korea:
I have so many memories from my time in Korea that it’s hard to pick just one. What I remember most or what always replays in my head is walking on the sidewalks or along the streets. I loved seeing all the lights and the nightlife at night. I loved the hustle and bustle of the city, which is so unlike the Twin Cities, where everyone is stuck in their cars. I loved looking out and seeing a sea of black hair, and that sense of belonging…until I opened my mouth. It makes me very nostalgic.
Favorite Korean Food:
Doengjang chigae and kimchi chigae. I always overeat and stuff myself whenever I eat Korean food, because it’s that good and I can’t say no to it!
