Episode #5
Sean's Year in Morton — A Rotary Youth Exchange Story
Send Ben a message, he'd love to hear from you. What does it feel like to leave your home in Busan, South Korea, land in the cornfields of Central Illinois, and call it home for a year? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Kim — a high school senior from South Korea who spent nearly 12 months in Morton as part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange program — along with Sue Colby, Youth Exchange Chair for Rotary District 6460, to wrap up one of the most meaningful episodes we've recorded here at MUSE. Sean talks openly about arriving in Morton expecting Chicago suburbs and finding cornfields instead, the loneliness of those first few months before finding his people, falling in love with Mexican food, and the Midwestern wave that caught him completely off guard. He gives honest, thoughtful advice to future exchange students, calls out the friends and families who made his year what it was, and shares what he's taking home with him — not just in his suitcase, but in who he's become. Sue walks us through how the Rotary Youth Exchange program actually works — from the three-year cycle of application, exchange, and rebound, to the challenges of rebuilding the program in a post-COVID world. She also shares why she believes this program is one of the most powerful tools for building peace that exists today. This one got a little emotional at the end. We think you'll understand why. 🔗 Learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange District 6460: www.rotarydistrict6460.org 📬 Have a story to share or want to sponsor the show? Email Ben at bvande12@gmail.com or find us on Facebook by searching Morton Muse and News. Music track: Joshua Tree by Guillermo Guareschi Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free To Use Music for Videos “Hey friends! If you’ve enjoyed hearing stories from right here in Morton—our businesses, our schools, our neighbors—you can help keep this podcast going. Every little bit counts—whether it’s a one-time tip or a small monthly gift. It helps cover the cost of hosting, equipment, and producing each episode. Visit a link below to pitch in and be part of keeping Morton Muse & News growing strong. Thanks for supporting local voices!” Direct support links: Paypal Venmo CashApp Social Media links: Morton Muse & News Facebook Morton MUSE & News Instagram Muse Morton (the studio and gallery)
