A Place to Take Root

There are about a million international students in America, but there are few books written from their perspectives.

To become an international student in Boston, Massachusetts, Yujin Kim had to leave behind her loved ones and her spot at a SKY university—the “Ivy League” of South Korea. America seemed to provide what she craved: freedom and opportunities. However, it wasn’t easy to fit into the culture and retain her Korean heritage. She navigated social faux pas, microaggressions, financial stress, and homesickness. Through major shifts in her self-esteem and mental health, she shows everyone that she could truly thrive.

In her memoir, A Place to Take Root, Yujin Kim delves into personal experiences and research to tackle topics such as

• Identifying mental health challenges that accompany moving to a new country
• Embracing language and communication insecurities
• Overcoming the sense of otherness or incompetence
• Finding one’s voice and identity

International students face increasing social, financial, cultural, and political uncertainty—oftentimes alone. A Place to Take Root is a compassionate message to international students who seek to thrive while far from home. Kim’s lived experiences can help you normalize your experiences, become rooted wherever you are, and bravely face uncertainty.