When I left home for college at eighteen, I could make exactly two things: toast and instant noodles.
For the first few months, I lived on frozen pizza and takeout, and by December I felt tired all the time and had spent far too much money.
Then my roommate, Ji-woo, who had grown up helping in her parents' restaurant, offered to teach me.
She started with the basics: how to chop an onion, cook rice and make a simple soup.
Within a year, I was cooking for friends and saving money every week.
Looking back, I wish someone had taught me these skills much earlier.
If I had learned to cook as a teenager, I would have eaten better during my first year, and I wouldn't have wasted so much money.
That is why I believe every high school student should learn to cook before leaving home.
Cooking is not just about food; it teaches planning, budgeting and even a little chemistry.
It also brings people together, which matters a lot when you live far from home.
Some people argue that teenagers are too busy, but a simple meal often takes less time than waiting for a delivery.