Welcome to Olney, Yesol Lim
If you’ve been around The Refuge Christian Center this summer, you may have already met a cheerful young woman with a ready smile and a heart for children. Her name is Yesol Lim, and she’s been interning at The Refuge as part of a U.S.-based Christian internship program. Originally from Sejong City, South Korea, Yesol has brought her curiosity, energy, and faith to Olney for the past several weeks—and she’s quickly become a favorite among the children she works with.
Yesol’s time in Olney is coming to a close, and she’ll be heading home on August 1. If you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet—or just want to thank her for her service—now’s the time to stop by The Refuge and say hello. In the Q&A below, Yesol shares what brought her to Texas, what surprised her most, and how this small-town experience has left a big mark on her heart.
Enterprise: What is your name and hometown?
- My name is Yesol Lim, and I’m from Sejong City, South Korea.
Yesol Lim: How did you learn about Olney, Texas, and why did you want to come and intern here?
- I saw a flyer for the U.S. internship program posted in the elevator at my university. I’ve always dreamed of experiencing life in America, and I was curious to see what Christians in the U.S. are like, which led me to apply for the internship. I’m currently studying early childhood education, and among the five U.S. locations we could choose from, I was especially drawn to the center in Olney, Texas, because it gave me the opportunity to work directly with children.
Q: How long will you be here? A: I first arrived here on June 21st, and I’m scheduled to complete my internship by August 1st. After that, I’ll be traveling to Los Angeles for five days before returning to South Korea.
Q: What have you learned since coming to Texas?
A: Since coming to Texas, I’ve learned the power of everyday kindness. People here greet each other with a smile—even if they’re complete strangers—and that small gesture really touched me. Just asking someone how they’re doing might seem simple, but it carries so much warmth.
It made me realize how meaningful it is to care, even in small ways. In Texas, it feels like anyone could become a friend. That’s a beautiful kind of warmth, and it’s something I hope to take with me wherever I go.
Q: How was the experience different from what you expected?
A: In South Korea, learning English is mandatory from elementary through high school. However, once I got here and actually had to speak it out loud, I found that the words didn’t come to mind easily, and pronunciation was more difficult than I expected.
The Texas accent also made communication more challenging than I had anticipated. There were moments of frustration, but I was deeply moved by the people who reached out to me first and opened their hearts, even when we didn’t fully understand each other’s language.
Q: How was it similar to what you expected?
A: As I expected, the U.S. feels much more free and inclusive. I appreciated how people respected me no matter how I expressed myself, and how there seemed to be little sense of comparison or insecurity between one another.
And of course, the food here is really good! While I’ve had plenty of American food in Korea, everything tastes so much better here in its home country. I think I’ve definitely been gaining some weight because of it!
Q: What have you enjoyed most about living in Texas and interning at The Refuge?
A: Without a doubt, my favorite moments are when I get to run and play with the kids. I love being active, and every day the children come up to me, tag me, and run away. I pretend to chase after them, and hearing their laughter in those moments brings me so much joy.
Q: What are you most homesick for? A: Back in Korea, I used to take walks along the stream quite often. Here, I do go out on weekends, but I haven’t been able to take walks as often as I’d like because I feel a bit nervous going out alone. I really miss that part of my routine.
And of course—my mom’s homecooked meals. I’m definitely craving some spicy Korean food!
Q: What are some experiences you will remember when you return home?
A: What will stay with me the most is the beautiful nature of Texas and the slower, more relaxed pace of life. In Korea, I rarely had a moment to breathe between school and part-time jobs. But here, life feels almost excessively relaxed— in the best possible way.
After living such a busy life back home, I think I’ll often find myself remembering the peaceful rhythm of Texas life with a sense of longing.
Q: How has this experience changed you?
A: In Korea, I feel like people often place a lot of importance on appearances. But here, it’s different. What really seems to matter is how much you love yourself and how uniquely you express who you are. It’s refreshing—and honestly, kind of freeing!
Since being here, I’ve started to care less about how others see me and more about how I see myself. I’m slowly becoming someone who’s not afraid to just be me. And now, I feel like I can do anything—well, except maybe parallel parking. Still working on that!