No PARKing Allowed Jon Park's Move Around the World

“There was no telling how long I would end up staying, so of course, i was scared to build any kind of deep relationship. It was pointless.”

That sentence encapsulated Jon’s ideology for the majority of his life. Adjusting to life in a completely new country is hard enough, but it was a struggle he had to undergo repeatedly. While assimilation was difficult in his early years, it is a skill which he embraces in the field of marketing today. This is the story of a multicultural kid finding his place in the world. This is the story of Jonathan Park.

Jon Park: Master of Sprinkles!

Missionaries on a Mission 

Jon’s story starts with the adventures his parents had as missionaries. Phillip and Ruth Park were raised as devout Christians since birth, so they knew the Bible like the back of their hand. They felt that it was their calling to spread the hope and power of religion. Religion was simply how they identified themselves. So starting 1970s, once they completed seminary school and had their first son Sol, they explored the world together.

Jon’s parents, Phillip Park and Ruth Lee, on their wedding day. Even then, they were planning out their journey across the world.

After Cambodian Civil War of the 1990s, the Parks began their missions on the war front of Cambodia, hoping to revive hope in an area where all seemed lost. Many a time, they were approached by people only trying to escape the violence that had destroyed their homes. Some of those times, those people were shot at their doorstep. Seeing the clear danger the couple and their potential family may face, many friends and relatives questioned the Parks and the rationality of their decisions. Yet, they ignored this and pressed on.

The way they saw it, the Parks were there to guide the efforts of these people. In a broken nation like this, they needed a reminder of what was most important: community. By forming religious ties in places where people needed a sense of community most, they changed hundreds of lives. New relationships slowly formed, no matter the ethnic background or distances that split the people. They had found their purpose, and it was one they put their life into.

At last, the couple finally felt it was time to have a family of their own. After finding a cute little home in Bangkok Thailand and succumbing to the nagging of their parents, another baby boy was born on June 27th, 1994. Of course, this boy was Jonathan Jung Park.

Jonathan Park, son of Phillip and Ruth, and destined to sail the seas (just look at that sailor’s hat!)

The Cost of Caring

Even as the Park’s were adjusting to living as a family, they still had more to give. And so, they set up their own orphanage. Child sex trafficking had become a serious and apparent issue in Bangkok, and the Park’s believed it was their responsibility to tackle this problem head-on. With a few acres of land and a little bit of faith, they opened up their own orphanage. As the founders of the orphanage, Jon’s parents would spend most of their days on site, so Jon would always follow. Many of the orphans would be his first set of best friends, as they did everything from playing to bathing together. These friends came and left, so Jon did not know what to do other than just to continue learning about his new friends. As he grew older, Jon had a better understanding of the struggles of kids, and hearing about these issues cultivated his own desire to continue his family’s work. He contributed his own part to their cause whether it was by being a teacher to the young kids, or a shoulder for others to lean on. Jon was the older brother any little kid could ever dream of. As his parents were there for those in need, he wanted to do the same. From the start, Jon knew his passion for helping others was a part of life that would always stay with him.

“What put things into perspective was not having much. I (was) happy with what I have. I didn’t really know what was going on at that age. Seeing people living happily with so little hit me”

Staff working on the construction of “Park’s Orphanage”

Philllp Park (middle) and the founding members of the orphanage.

A group photo of all of the orphans and staff

Unfortunately, the Park family would pick up their missionary work once again after 4 years, leaving the orphanage under the care of the residents in the area. This was Jon’s first real taste with leaving a community behind. While it was initially difficult, he was excited to travel, just as his parents did before him. Jon saw it as a learning experience. 

From Russia to Korea, the family made pit stops around the world. While it would seem like an opportunity of a lifetime that many people may want to jump into today, Jonathan struggled. He was ecstatic as most kids would be with exploring, but it became a nuisance. One of the many problems he faced was, of course, his language barrier. Jon had grown up speaking Thai and Korean, and each new location his family moved to conveniently had few speakers in either language. Jon would even spend kindergarten in America, where an ESL program was initiated just for him. With that, he would spend every recess alone trying to spell his name and basic words. Being in ESL was the only aspect of Jon’s life that he could expect anywhere he went, and he absolutely hated it. Not being able to speak the same language as the majority of kids was one thing, but being closed off completely drained him. Jon, the older brother figure for many early in his life, became similar to the abandoned child he would usually care for. Left feeling hopeless, he didn’t think anyone could truly relate to and support him. The cultural shocks Jon felt going into new lands became overwhelming, as even if Jon began to understand a few words, he could not connect the words with the ideas of cultural norms that seemed so simple to everyone else. While initially making friends was hard, saying goodbye was even worse. Simply, Jon was too scared to commit. 

“I had to focus on personal growth at a young age. I realized that the things I have now can be gone tomorrow. Switching around at a young age- I couldn’t commit to long-lasting friendships. And also having personal attachment to things. I guess that was a great learning experience. I am realizing now that I am older.”

TaiWON Him Over

Eventually, he found a home in Taiwan. The Parks had meant to do mission work in mainland China, but due to heavy religious persecution, they had been forced to settle in the Republic of China. Although accidental, this would be where Jonathan the majority of his life. And he associated some of his best memories here. It was unlike any other place for him in terms of the atmosphere of the other students in this classes.

“From the get go. I felt like I fit in.”

Although the education system was rigorous, the students were very respectful and open to learning more about Jon. In fact, they were amazed by his travels.

“What I hated most about my life became their biggest fasincation. Most of them had lived in the same place for the majority of their lives. I was their “all-seeing eye” into the rest of the world.”

While there remained an initial language and cultural barrier that Jon had to overcome, the students were more than happy to accommodate for his transition into Taiwanese culture. The initial group of students that took him in eventually became some of his closest friends, even to this day.

“They gave me a form of security that I never thought would be possible for me. For the last couple of years, I didn’t think it possible to find a group of kids I could stick to and (call) my second family”

For the first time in a long while, Jon felt as if he truly belonged.

Kickin’ It

After settling in Taiwan for several months, Jon found it easy to integrate himself into Taiwan life. The language was still an issue, but the energy he once had when exploring new places and learning new things as a kid had kicked in once more. Jon was eager as ever to start his new life, and he had a plenty of new people in his life to share it with. Practically every minute of the day was spend with these friends. Soon enough, Jon and his friends discovered a passion of theirs that would stick with them for the rest of their lives: soccer.

Although he had many chances to play throughout his life, only in Taiwan was where he found a team who all shared the drive and passion he had. Jon’s interest in soccer began at an early age when he’d catch parts of soccer games when he had a television to do so. But more often than not, it just him kicking around a ball for hours non-stop. He could finally play the sport most dear to him with a team that shared the same love.

Soccer became an integral part of their lives. After school, Jon and his group of 9-15 close friends would head to the park to play soccer. On the court, time would fly. Jon felt at his peak when he was playing soccer. Jon was so happy when he played, others would compare his movements to dancing across the field, continuously chasing after the ball. Soccer was his salsa, and the ball his partner.

Jon Park: Part-TIme Soccer Model                         Even today, soccer continues to play a significant part of his life.

Hours that would have been spent studying became excellent soccer practice time for him and his friends. However, as the team dropped goals on their opponents, their grades dropped as well. This was especially the case for Jon. Jon’s parents finally had enough.

They essentially told me if I didn’t pick up my grades, I couldn’t play soccer… the priority was obvious for me.”

Jon quickly learned the importance of time management, and it became a value that always stuck with him in the back of his mind. His friends that faced a similar situation all strove to do the same, seriously cutting down on. This struggle would only bring them closer together.

If there was anything Jon valued most, it was soccer. Not only was it a simple way to keep in shape while working together in a team,

In many ways, it was his way of assimilating. Soccer was an interest that happened to be a major aspect of Taiwan culture, and soon became a major part of his life. While the transition remained a bit difficult throughout, having one passion that would stick no matter the language was fundamental in his personal growth. On the field, the only thought on each player’s mind was: get that goal. Nothing else would matter in the span of those hours, and it was something that Jon needed most. It was the break from reality he needed most when all other parts of his life seemed flawed. His performance on the field would reflect his own personality and aspirations, something everyone could see.

More than, Jon formed his own community through this one simple sport. The bonds between the members would only grow tighter through the games they would play together against competing teams. Their crowds went from parents to entire towns. Over time, this group would gain the interest of many other kids who were curious about the sport that many were always talking about. He continued to build a family in his own neighborhood, Jon found himself

“Despite coming from practicially everywhere, Taiwan is where I truly developed my character and it’s where I identify myself most with.”

Jon’s reunion with his Taiwanese friends

Beginning A-NEW

After living in Taiwan for nearly 7 years, Jon was hit with something he didn’t expect to ever hear again.

“Jon, we have to move.”

Jon’s parents had finally decided on their final destination: America. They wished to pick up where they left off with their missionary work.

Besides continuing their missions, Jon’s parents believed that he would have a better life in America, specifically New York. As most immigrants would consider it to be, New York was the home of opportunity, and it would be the home they would want to come to next. But Jon couldn’t handle it.

He wasn’t fond of America at all. The overwhelming trash, the busy touristy streets, the greasy food; New York was not the place for him. While his family found it exhilarating, Jon only missed Taiwan even more. At this point of his life, he considered himself as Taiwanese as it gets. New York did not seem accepting of him at all, and Jon did not even want to try anymore.

“I would spend my nights just calling my friends back home, crying and telling them about how much I missed them. (New) York was no place for me at all. It was no home.”

Stuck in ESL once more, he struggled to make even the smallest bonds with other students, ones even in ESL. These were some of the most trying times of his life, as no matter hard Jon tried, others would not be receptive to his efforts.

What troubled Jon the most was the culture shock he faced. The school system in America was drastically different from what he was used to. Whereas Taiwan emphasized the importance of respect and dedication to the studies, schools in New York did not have anything close to the environment Taiwanese schools supported. Instead. the first person Jon met at school offered him a cigarette during a math class. That was when he knew, he clearly did not belong. Jon just didn’t know how he would position himself. Violent fights would break out between classes on a weekly basis, and teachers would not be able to control the insanely loud students during class. Jon thought he would go insane. Everything he learned to do and not to do in Taiwan did not apply here. This was simply a cultural wasteland. Although Jon did well in class, he didn’t seem to fit in well with any one particular group. With all of the little cliques within his class and him coming in so late, trying seemed like a lost cause. In his own opinion, any effort he tried would be futile in the long run.

Jon at graduation with a few of the important ladies of his life! Even after all the mishappens in his life, he actually graduated on time!

After some time, they found a house in Long Island with a diverse neighborhood. But what interested Jon the most was nothing other than the huge backyard they had.

“I just remember thinking “Sweet! I’m taking full advantage of this.”

Soccer was clearly a significant aspect of Jon’s life, and he only wished to carry it on to this new land. It was one thing that couldn’t change, no matter how far he would move.

This is where Jon began his journey in America. He became familiar with other kids in his neighborhood. With just three or four kids, Jon made his first team. While they didn’t talk much or were as competitive, or that good at soccer in general, Jon took his first steps to building the close bonds he once had. The feeling, that motivation he once had when he first began his life in Taiwan, it was returning to him.

The rise of Jon’s newest soccer team in New York!

Over the years, Jon eventually found not only his home but his drive. Soccer was the tool he used to adjust to his new life in America, and he continued to experiment with many other activities that caught his interest; one of which is beatboxing. Assimilating to a variety of new settings throughout the course of his life was an asset he carried throughout his life. Whether it may be for work or his personal life, Jon would not be the person he is today it if it weren’t for his experiences throughout his childhood. In terms of his identity, Jon referred to himself as a “hot pot of diversity.” He no longer refers to himself as purely Taiwanese, or American for that matter. Just as many other Americans have, he’s an accumulation of the many places he’s been to.

Today, Jon is always hustling. He is the founder of a startup, Human Beatbox, which hopes to create a closer-knit beatbox community through its forums, videos, news, and more. In addition, Jon continues to travel every year, as traveling has once again become one of his favorite hobbies. In the meantime, he has just secured his full-time position at AdHawk to fund his next adventures. His goals in the future to continue to create communities, his one goal above anything being founding an orphanage. Jon hopes to create closer relationships with those that need it most, as he needed it before. It was a way for him to follow his mother’s footsteps while giving it a twist.

He’s never going to stop making moves. There’s no reason to PARK.