How Korean Helped Patricia Find Her Voice — And Her Place
Reclaiming Voice Through Korean — Patricia’s Story 🌟
안녕하세요!
At Like a Korean, we often say that language learning is not just about grammar and words — it’s about discovering who you are, and where you belong.
Today, we’re honored to share a truly moving story from one of our students, Patricia Geltman — a story of resilience, courage, and the deep connection that can grow through language.
Patricia’s journey with Korean began with curiosity about Korean cuisine and quickly blossomed into something much more profound. For her, learning Korean has become a way to express herself more fully, connect across cultures, and find a community that truly sees her.
👇 Below is Patricia’s powerful reflection — we hope it inspires you as much as it inspired us:
My Korean Learning Journey — A Reflection
By Patricia Geltman
Learning Korean has been more than just picking up a new language — it’s been a reclamation of voice, space, and purpose. As someone who grew up in Cuba, where my only tool was survival and silence often meant safety, stepping into a new language felt like stepping into new skin. What got me into studying Korean was my culinary curiosity about Korean cuisine. TV Shows such as 신상출시 편스토랑(Fun-Staurant) and 장사천재 백사장(The Genius Paik) helped me develop my seasoning skills as a Chef and I really wanted to be able to understand the recipes.
My favorite reality show is still 살림하는 남자들(House Husband) since it illustrated a culture that I want to live by although it was foreign to me.
I came to Korean not just to communicate, but to connect. As someone on the autism spectrum, I’ve always processed the world a little differently. Language, for me, has never been just a tool — it’s a life skill. Korean, with its honorifics, rhythm, and emotional precision, has offered me a kind of emotional logic that speaks to the way my brain is wired. It’s helped me feel closer to others, even when we don’t share a common first language and it has made me a more educated person in any situation.
There have been moments of doubt, of course — times when the grammar felt impossible or when I felt behind. But those moments reminded me that learning is not linear. It’s a mirror. Every lesson has shown me something about patience, resilience, and the quiet kind of strength that comes from returning again and again to something that challenges you — and choosing not to quit.
Being part of the LAK community has amplified all of this. Here, I feel seen, not just for what I can say, but for what I’m still learning to express. The encouragement, kindness, and open-heartedness I’ve experienced in our group have made this journey feel sacred. I’m not just learning a language — I’m finding my place.
To anyone out there who feels like they’re carrying too much to make space for a new language — I get it. But maybe that’s exactly when you should. Learning Korean has helped me rewrite the way I see myself — not just as someone who can learn anything I set my mind to, but I’ve have found a place where I feel I truly belong.
Patricia’s story is a beautiful reminder that every learner comes to Korean with their own reason — and every reason is valid. Whether you're here out of passion, curiosity, or a quiet hope for change, you’re in the right place.
If this is your first time hearing about Like a Korean, we’re more than just a language program. We’re a global community of learners from all walks of life, building confidence and connection through the Korean language — one word at a time.
💬 Ready to start your own journey?
Explore our upcoming classes here:
Whether you're a beginner or have studied Korean before, there’s a place for you here.
With gratitude and inspiration,
Inae