The Fourth of July: Celebrating American Holidays Overseas

Experiencing national holidays away from your home country/family/friends, can be excellent or depressing depending on the circumstances.  The Fourth of July is a minor holiday compared to Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter, but it's one that most Americans celebrate, and it's often more communal and friends-oriented (vs. more family oriented holidays).  Growing up, Independence Day was the one American holiday I often spent in the States, and it has a distinctly American flavor in my memory. (weird, right?)  I love the fireworks and the colors, the food, and the sense of unity.

I really enjoyed my Fourth of July in Korea, but it was definitely different than celebrations back home.

My Fourth of July in Korea:

Similarities to celebrating in the States:

- Food. Like any good American holiday, July 4th is a foodfest.  My friends and I made most of the traditional independence day foods: beer, hotdogs, potato salad, homemade mac'n'cheese, baked beans, and pie.  We also had the healthy additions of spinach dip and couscous.

- Friends.  The only difference is they aren't the ones you grew up with (or, in my case didn't grow up with). There's no reason to silently sit at home when you can share the holiday with others.  My friend J came up with the idea of a potluck, and it was a really enjoyable time. 

- The National Anthem.  OK well not really.  But I believe we got through a couple lines when everyone was leaving.

- Clothes:  Red. White. Blue. 

Differences to celebrating in the States:

- The main difference: No one in Korea knows or cares that it's the Fourth.  Or no non-American anyways.  Which is fine, because I doubt most Americans know the dates of other countries independence days. 

- I had to explain the holiday to my students.  Because their English is very low, it went something like this:

Me: (holding out right hand) America.  (holding out left hand) England.  Fight! (mime guns) America wins! (cheer)

Students: (cheer) Congratulations!

(My apologies to my English readers.  ESL has a tendency to strip away everything PC.)

- There were no big parties/gatherings at parks and football fields with fireworks and music in our area.  I imagine Seoul might have had a few options.  The American Embassy often puts on July 4th events in capital cities.

- No fireworks! 

- And...of course...no actual holiday.  We all had to work.  Disgraceful.



Posted in: american holidays in korea, celebrating holidays in korea esl, july 4th in korea