Clothes are more than just fabric; they’re a memory, a message, a feeling. And for international students living far from home, traditional clothing becomes a powerful way to carry their culture and share their story with the world.

At KDI School, where students from across the globe come together, culture is not just something you read about; it’s something you can see, touch, and even wear. Lehonti Pérez, an MDP student from Guatemala, brings this idea to life through two special moments he shared as part of the KDIS Hanbok Photo Contest. In the first, he wears his traditional Mayan clothing: vibrant, handwoven, and full of history. In the second, he’s dressed in a Hanbok, the traditional Korean outfit worn during holidays like Chuseok. While the clothes are different, both tell stories of identity, belonging, and connection.

“Clothes are more than just fabric. Some threads connect me to the people and places I come from, while others tie me to those who have welcomed me as their own,” Lehonti reflects.

The first photo was taken during his college years in Hawaii, on Guatemala’s Independence Day, a time when, living far from home, he turned to his roots for strength and identity. “Whenever I am away from home, I always travel with at least one garment of traditional clothing. It reminds me that no matter where I go in the world, I will always have a place where I belong,” he says.

He also shared the special meaning of the traditional jacket he wears in the photo, which was made using the ancient backstrap loom technique, a traditional hand-weaving method passed down through generations. The fabric, typical of the Guatemalan highlands, features rich red colors symbolizing the East, the sunrise, and new beginnings. It is also embroidered with depictions of ancient gods and pictographic representations of the universe. “The process of making these garments is extensive, taking several months to complete a single piece,” Lehonti explains. “Wearing them connects me not only to the rich cultural heritage of my country but also to the hardworking spirit of the Guatemalan people. They represent the countless individuals who have intertwined their lives to shape who I am today.”

The second image marks a new chapter in Lehonti's journey. After studying in Hawaii and working in the corporate world in Washington State, he realized he wanted to do something more meaningful. “Despite a promising career in corporate USA, I sought a path with greater meaning,” he says. “I’ve been deeply interested in economic development and equal opportunities for all since childhood.” That motivation led him to the MDP program at KDI School, which he found to be a perfect fit for his long-term goals.

Shortly after arriving at KDI School, Lehonti was invited to try on a Hanbok during Chuseok. That moment, he says, brought a deep emotional clarity. “The softness of the silk gave me the impression of being wrapped in pure ‘morning freshness,’” he recalls. “It was my first month in Korea, and everything still felt like a dream. I remember constantly touching the fabric and thinking, This is real. This is my new reality.”

For Lehonti, traditional clothing isn’t just about standing out it’s about coming together. “Although we may come from different places and have different histories and cultures, we can achieve great things when we combine our efforts,” he reflects. “We are like threads of different colors made from different materials, but when we are woven together, our talents and experiences can create something beautiful for the world to admire.”

His story reminds us that wherever life takes us, we carry pieces of our identity with us. And sometimes, something as simple as the clothes we wear can help us feel at home and stay connected to both our roots and the new communities we become part of.