Co-authored by Shriya Deshpande

That’s how long a South Korean male must complete mandatory military service. The mandatory service is supposed to be an honorable duty, but it was a duty that junior Spencer Jin did not feel ready for.

“[Two years is] a huge waste of my time,” Jin said. “I could go earn money or learn a lot of things in university.”

Avoiding enlistment in the army was one of Jin’s family’s main motivations for leaving South Korea and coming to North America. His family’s original plan was to come to the United States straight from Korea, but complications with their work visa caused their family to be sent to Canada instead.

“I’m obligated to [serve in the military], and I’m trying to avoid that,” Jin said. “That’s one of the reasons I am trying to get a U.S. citizenship as soon as possible.”

While living in America, Jin sees clear differences between soldiers who enlist in the U.S. army versus the Korean one. He believes that due to the required military service, Korean soldiers are not treated with the same respect as American soldiers. It is an honor, but not a whole-hearted sacrifice for the country.

But to Jin, it doesn’t matter where he is, Canada or the U.S., as long as he has the opportunity to be rid of the Korean citizenship that ties him to the possibility of being called back for enlistment.

The sacrifices needed to avoid Korean citizenship did not come easy to Jin, especially when it came to his education. Jin believes that his motivation to do well in school and his adjustment to various school systems is one thing that sets him apart from other MVHS students.

“When you go into a different country and a different school, you have to adjust to the situation,” Jin said, “but I had to go through that situation a lot of times instead of just one.”

He also believes that the transition between countries has caused problems with his academics. Jin says that there are some classes that did not count towards his graduation, and as a result, he needed to take them over again.

“Especially because MVHS is special academic condition, it made me stressful in the beginning,” Jin said, “but I’m adjusted right now, and it’s going to be better.”

In the future, Jin hopes to become a U.S. citizen and live in the U.S. as a permanent resident, finally leaving behind the duty he was not ready for and feels like he never will be.