Fighting the Feeling of Being Alone: From Cultural Differences to Campus Community

Background

I'm a marketing student at SUNY Geneseo from Commack, Long Island, NY. I was born in Manhasset, NY, and have lived in Commack my whole life. I played tennis and badminton throughout my life and recently retired from competitive sports. I attended Commack High School, where my journey with loneliness and belonging truly began.

The Rocky Beginning

High school was a rocky place for me in the beginning. Adjusting to the new environment was challenging, and the fact that it was during COVID made things significantly harder. I was slowly feeling more alone each day until I met my friends who took me in and helped me feel loved. That experience of being rescued from loneliness shaped who I am today.

Cultural Differences and Family Dynamics

My family are amazing people, but due to my parents growing up in South Korea and immigrating to the US, communication and cultural differences made it hard for us to connect when I was in high school. My brother is five years older than me, which is a pretty big age gap. We also never really got along in high school due to different maturity levels. While my family has always been there for me, these dynamics left me searching for connection elsewhere.

Battling Loneliness

I've had a close friend group who later decided to leave me for other friends. There were many times where I felt alone, and it's not a good feeling to have. I battled with the idea of feeling alone for a long time, but I can finally say that I don't feel that anymore. That transformation didn't happen overnight—it took finding the right people, building genuine connections, and learning to be vulnerable.

Why I Became a Mentor

The reason why I became a mentor is because I want to help people feel loved and feel like they belong here. Being able to help people and being that person that they can count on is an amazing opportunity. I want to help people with anything through their issues or just to have a daily conversation. I've always wanted a person who I could count on, and now I want to be that person for others.

I almost lost someone due to the feeling of being alone, and it was hard. That experience solidified my commitment to this work. My main goal is to support and be there for people who may feel like this. I want people to feel heard and loved. I want someone to feel like they have a shoulder to lean on and they have someone they can trust.

My Mentors

There are many people who have mentored me. Even though my family and I didn't get along in the beginning, throughout my life they have taught me so many life lessons and how to be as a person. They have helped me through a lot and have supported me. My friends at school and from home have also been the best mentors. They have helped me fight the feeling of being alone and have been an amazing support system. I am very grateful for them. Another person who has mentored me is my boyfriend. He has supported me at every single low in my life and has been there for me every day.

Giving Back

I volunteer at my church whenever I am home, and being a part of a sorority has given me so many opportunities to give back to the community. Being able to give back and help makes me feel alive. I love being able to help whenever help is needed.

My Goal

My main goal as part of the team is to help and create a difference. I hope to create a safe space that people can come to me for. I want to help other people fight the feeling of being alone—because I know firsthand how powerful it is to have someone who truly sees you and reminds you that you belong.