The first time I met a Korean person in Morgantown was at the WVU campus cafeteria.

I just went there to eat, but when I heard Korean, I was happy and struck up a conversation, which led to a connection. The Korean community in this city isn't as large as those in metropolitan areas, but thanks to WVU as a central hub, it is more tightly connected than one might expect. It consists mainly of young Korean students and long-term resident families coming together.

The core of the Morgantown Korean community is the WVU Korean Student Association. This officially registered student organization hosts new international student orientations, Korean cultural events, and social gatherings each semester. Hundreds of Korean international students enroll at WVU every year, and many of them make their first social connections through this group. It serves as an important resource for new students coming to the U.S., helping to lower language barriers and share practical living information. A culture has developed where seniors share tips on finding apartments and other life advice.

In addition to the Korean student community, there are also many Korean faculty and researchers at WVU. Korean professors and postdoctoral researchers are consistently coming in, especially in the STEM fields. They often serve as mentors within the local Korean community, extending their academic networks. The Morgantown Korean Association functions as an official organization connecting local Korean residents. Through events like holiday celebrations, Korean New Year gatherings, and community service activities, exchanges across generations and backgrounds take place. Participating in the association's activities allows newcomers to connect naturally with long-term residents.

Community information mainly circulates through KakaoTalk group chats. By joining Morgantown-related KakaoTalk groups, you can access various practical information such as job postings, real estate information, second-hand goods trading, and cultural event announcements. Asking a known Korean for an invitation to a group is the quickest way to get in. The WVU Korean Student Association also operates official social media accounts, allowing outsiders to access some information. If you're a new Korean resident in Morgantown, it's recommended to create your first connections through these channels.

Ironically, because it's a small town, the Korean community feels more tightly knit. In larger cities, even with many Koreans, people often don't connect, but in Morgantown, you can become acquainted with everyone with just a couple of introductions. It may feel unfamiliar and small at first, but once you connect here, those relationships tend to last quite a while. I believe the Korean community in this city competes more on depth than size.

The fastest way to enter the Korean community in Morgantown is to find a senior Korean student at WVU. Many students reach out online before enrollment to establish connections in advance. Given the nature of the international student community, connections made early in the semester often become the foundation for the next 2-3 years of living. Within the Korean community, various information circulates, from restaurant recommendations to internship details and job reviews.

Long-term residents often share local living know-how along with their immigration experiences, creating a network that provides practical help beyond mere socializing. Information exchanged within the Korean community often travels faster through personal networks than through official channels.

If you've just arrived in Morgantown, connecting with just one person can naturally lead to more connections. Meeting that one person is the true starting point of your Korean life in this city.