Mya Greene, a Clark Atlanta University student here in the School of Communications, will join The Local Take for a special CAU CONNECTS Segment. Inspired by our LEAVING THE USA series, she shares the story of an Atlanta University Center classmate whose family calls Korea home. Greene’s research shows that as of 2025, South Korea is home to over 170,000 foreign residents. A large portion is comprised of U. S. citizens, many military personnel, or folks who work in education, tech, and business.
For the Black community in Korea, social media has become a powerful tool for connection. This is a place where navigating cultural differences and dealing with racial dynamics abroad. Greene’s friend and Morehouse College student, Stephen Jones, joins her to speak about his life growing up in Korea.
Jones shares that his father was in the military, and after his service duty ended, he made the decision to stay in Korea. His dad had married a Korean woman and felt that the family would be better off living in Korea instead of returning to the USA.
Although he experienced racism growing up, being bi-racial meant that you have a thicker skin. Jones speaks about the average day for a young person in Korea, which often includes math and art tutors. Students are encouraged to be well-rounded.
Greene asks Jones about the parts of Korean culture that he brings with him to Morehouse and asks him to share information about their traditions, food, and community values. Jones shares that he has a sister attending Spelman College.