Canadian star and opposite hitter, Sarah Pavan, played in Korea for the first time this season. The lefty from University of Nebraska played for Korean Expressway Corporation Volleyball Club.
The 2006 NCAA Champion took time to share to us her “first moments” in Korea. The Canadian star who competed at the 2010 World Champs shares exclusively to Volleywood her “first moments”. Read below to find out what she did first, where she went first, the first person who visited her, her first match, her first night and many more!
Sarah’s First Moments:
First impression of Korea was that it is rather Westernized. Many of the stores and restaurants are found in North America, so it was a comfort to find those things being in such a different culture.
First delicacy/meal I tried was Kimchi. There’s no way you can go to Korea and not try it…. It’s everywhere! It’s basically just spiced cabbage, but they serve it with every single meal. Koreans love it!
First place/spot I visited in Korea was an area of Seoul called Itaewon. It’s the neighborhood where all of the foreigners hang out, and at the beginning I was still in a bit of shock at only being able to communicate with my translator, so she took me there 🙂
First person I met was my translator. She was my saviour. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to survive, and luckily for me, she went everywhere with me. She was my link to the Koreans and became a good friend too.
My first match was against a team called the Pink Spiders (Mia Jerkov’s Team). I was a little nervous because it was a new experience but it was amazing. There were cheerleaders organizing chants for the crowd, mascots, dancers…. It was quite a spectacle. It was really interesting, and we won 3-0 so that was nice too.
First Korean word I learned was thank you. I figured that word was rather crucial to know, so I asked about that one right away.
First night in Korea was in a university. My team lived in a huge house/dorm type building, so we all slept on one floor. I had my own room, but I haven’t slept in a dorm since university, so it took me back a little.
First person who visited me in Korea was my fiance. He came over and spent Christmas and the New Year with me. It was so great to have someone over there with me, even for a little while.
My first weekend was spent eating Western food, watching movies, and going to the coffee shop. Living in the dorm, I had to eat what they gave me, watch tv on my computer, and live without coffee, so I made sure I indulged in my little comforts when I went out.
The first thing I wanted to do in Korea was to visit a palace/temple. We didn’t end up doing it right away, but we went to some eventually.
The last thing I did before coming home was to spend a day out with my translator for the last time. It was a nice way to end the season together.
Awwww how sweet!
Well thank you so much Sarah for sharing your Korean experience! We wish you and your Canadian Team the best this season!
Cheers and until next time!
WATCH: Sarah and her Nebraska Team with Jordan Larson back in 2006 VS Cynthia Barboza, Foluke, Kristin Richards and Stanford.
(images: newsis & linked in blue)