The Beaches of Busan

Ahhh....the country life. 
Okay, so I wasn't actually in the country....I was in Busan, which is actually the second largest city in Korea, but the thing is, when you're in Busan, it doesn't feel like the city. There's not as much of the hustle-bustle, pushy-shovey, hurried atmosphere of Seoul. I've come to the conclusion that people who leave near the ocean are just happier more laid back people....and the weather couldn't have been more amazing! 

Seoul Station

It takes about a 5 hour bus ride to get to Busan from Seoul, but only 2 if you take the faster (and more expensive) bullet train. Still, it's quite economical....depending on the time you're traveling, you'll probably spend somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 W for a one-way ticket. 

This isn't just street food....it's a street bar! This guy set up a couple bottles of alcohol and some speakers on a plastic fold-out table and he's in business. If this isn't a laid-back city, I don't know what is...

Another thing I love about Korea? No one will ever turn you down if you need a drinking buddy...we literally just met these people on the beach and started playing drinking games with them. They didn't even mind us joining, and it was one of the best memories I've had in Seoul. One of the games we just called "the screaming game" -basically you try to scream not just louder, but at a higher pitch than the person next to you, and if you can't- you drink! Definitely, these guys were a good time. 

The beach in Busan was gorgeous! Definitely beats Seoul's dirty streets...

I have no idea what this fish is called, but it is seriously the creepiest, most disgusting thing I've ever seen

these ladies are hard core fisherwomen!

would you like to buy an octopus?

One of Busan's best contributions? Sashimi center: the freshest and widest variety of fish in Korea...but don't be fooled by the humble appearances- it comes at a price (25,000-50,000 W/person.... a fortune in Korean standards!)

the Koreans love their movie stars!

roll out the red carpet...

The film festival was in town! I'm sorry to say I didn't get a chance to see any films. Busan International Film Festival is easily one of the largest and most popular film festivals in Asia, and getting tickets is near impossible unless you have connections....but you can still walk around the venues, there's plenty of free entertainment and lots of stars to see!

One of our final stops in Busan was the aquarium....definitely worth stopping by if you have the time. They have a great variety of different species of fish, some of which I've never seen before....and they have a live shark feeding show every day. 

All in all, I really loved Busan.... even with the five hour bus ride, it was totally worth the trip. I'm enjoying venturing to other areas of Korea and finding how different they are from Seoul, if Busan and Seoul were brothers, Seoul would be the hard-working, serious, dedicated older brother, and Busan would be the fun little brother everyone loves to hang out with, but always gets told...why can't you be more like your big brother Seoul? But both are great cities, each with its own personality. 

The Rules of Dating: Korean Style

Rule#1: Coyness is Key

A Korean girls greatest asset? Her coyness. The more innocent a Korean girl appears, the more attractive she becomes to her suitors. But let me clue you in on a little secret few Korean girls would admit to: it’s all fake.  You might be able to point out that Korean culture is firmly founded on traditional values, and therefore the girls truly may be as coy as they seem…but I’m here to tell you, they’re not. Korean girls do just about everything else American girls do, the only differences is they keep it behind closed doors, and they don’t talk about it openly. There are two sides to this coin: for one, we’d be lying if we said the U.S. couldn’t use more of this. Sexual advertising is everywhere, it’s impossibly to avoid, so maybe the Koreans are on to something here....less is more. 

Rule #2: Perfection is the rule

Most everyone in Seoul agrees that appearance is given a high value in Korean society. Part of this is attributed to the fact that the population is in such close proximity, there is always the constant awareness you are being watched, and consequently: critiqued. To that end, your appearance says a lot about who you are in society. To an American, the motto may go something like: "Look Poor, Act Rich" -we like to look good, without appearing as if we are trying to hard. But a Korean motto is quite the opposite; for example, a Korean woman will dress to a T with designer clothes, high-quality makeup and five-inch heels....but if you compliment her on any of these stylish choices, her response will probably be something like, "Oh this? It's old, I just threw it on!" It's considered rude to gloat on a compliment...but truth be told, both men and women consider appearance to be high on their list of criteria when choosing a partner, because it's not just the person you spend weekends with, it's the person you're going to be seen spending the weekend with. 

Rule #3: Chivalry isn’t dead

I'm not going to pretend like Korean guys are going around holding doors for women and opening car doors, but couples are often seen together, the man holding the woman's purse and/or books, while also holding her hand. Whipped? Maybe....but, probably it's more a case of plain old-fashioned chivalry. I'm going to say something that's probably not going to be very popular, but in the United States, feminism killed chivalry. The truth is that if you want to be able to have the same rights as men, you can't demand they also wait on you hand and foot.... at least not in the U.S. But in Korea? Apparently you can have your cake and eat it too... most Korean women have the same amount of education and advancement in the career world as their male counterparts, yet the man still has to hold her purse? Forgive me, but it seems like the guys get the short end of the stick with this one!

Rule #4: What's the Rush?

Most of the young Korean generation will admit that they didn't have their first dating experience until after high school. Simply, high school curriculum is just too rigorous and demanding to have time for a relationship. You notice a complete difference in attitudes toward dating in Korea. My view of American dating is this: start dating as soon as possible, as immaturely as possible. Consequently, both women and men are already jaded by the time they are in their twenties, but especially women. They have been hurt so much at a young age that they come to believe that all men must be assholes, so why even bother? Korean college-age girls however, talking to them, you'd think they were 16-year olds. Their standards are unbelievably high, and their ideals are unwavering. They shun most college-age Korean guys because, well they just aren't good enough, and frankly, they're inexperienced when it comes to dating. Their image of the perfect man is something between a knight in shining armor and a K-pop star. Is this a bad thing? Maybe-but let them dream.... 

Rule #5: The military factor

There are two choices women have for male dating material: pre-military and post-military. Every male in South Korea is required to serve at least three years in the military, usually after their first year of college. This poses an interesting dilemma for college-age Korean girls. You can start dating a freshman, and enjoy the oh-so-wonderful pangs of young and innocent love, then suffer the consequences by being torn apart for three years. Most couples don't make it through those three years, college life and military life are both demanding, and neither allows time for long-distance relationships. On the other hand, dating a post-military guy means he is older, has more life-experience, and certainly more mature...but unfortunately, the women he meets in college are younger, and almost finished with their degree. The difficulty of making a college relationship last is exponentially increased when the couple finds themselves in different parts of their lives, with different goals and different ideals. Most Korean women will finish their degrees and move on to the career field or onto higher education far earlier than Korean men; let's be clear here though: Korean men do not resent this responsibility as much as you might think. in fact, it's considered an honor to serve one's country, just as in any culture.

Rule #6: The marriage factor

On average, Koreans get married three years later than Americans. The average age for marriage in the United States is 28 for men, 26 for women. In Korea, the average is 31 for men, 29 for women. What does this translate to? Simply, most Koreans focus on education before marriage, and a large percentage of the population in South Korea will be college-educated. So why even bother with college-dating? When I ask my Korean friends this, they look at me like I must be clueless....."why not?" I was brought up old-school, dating is preparation for marriage, therefore you should never consider dating someone you wouldn't consider marrying. But a lot of my Korean friends admit to dating a guy they would never bring home to their parents, let alone marry, simply because he's good looking, dresses nice, buys her nice things, or is just fun to be around. When it comes to dating, it's all just fun....but when it comes to marriage, the standards are high. Parents in any culture want the best for their children; it's not uncommon to hear a father say to a prospective suitor to his daughter: "You are a good guy, but just not for my daughter!" 

You're a cold, cold Seoul

So I've been here about a month, and so far I've accumulated some observations I'd like to share...5 things I really like, and 3 I don't (because I'd like the positive to outweigh the negative) So enjoy, and feel free to share your comments or questions....

5 things I love about seoul


1. manners
    One thing that defines Korean culture...manners matter. But you will find that manners here are quite different, in many many ways. For example, in Western culture, it is considered respectful and an acknowledgment of authority to look someone in the eye when they are talking to you. It shows that you are really listening and paying attention. In Korean culture, however, it considered rude, and often with someone older, disrespectful. I find myself struggling to look down or away when I'm talking to my professors, although it makes me feel awkward. Another traditional more is the slight bow when meeting or greeting someone. Don't forget to leave this part out when saying hello or goodbye. It's doesn't have to be a sweeping bow, just a little nod of the head is sufficient...it says more that just hello or goodbye, it says: I acknowledge your presence and I appreciate you being here. While these things take some getting used to, and if I'm honest, I will admit sometimes I find some things a little strange... I do appreciate the gestures and I'm really enjoying noticing the sometimes subtle differences in everyday social settings. 


2. restaurant culture
     Restaurant culture here is clearly much different from the U.S. For one thing, you will find many, many different restaurants, but notice that each specializes in only a few dishes. Don't expect to go to a restaurant and order anything you like, look at the menus or fake plastic dishes displayed outside to decide if it serves something you'd like to try. In this way, the restaurants are culinarily specialized, and instead of having dozens of mediocre dishes, it will have maybe only five to ten ones that they make best. Another thing you will notice is the sheer abundance of food they bring out when you order. For one thing, Korean food culture prizes side dishes as not just a filler to the meal, but a complimentary addition. So no matter what you order, it will be either preceded or complimented by bowls and bowls of kimchi, seaweed, tofu, pickled vegetables and much, much more. Don't be alarmed when they bring out all of these bowls, just try it! The great thing about it is, you never know what you're getting, and chances are, you'll always get to try something new. Finally, the biggest differences is probably tipping culture...suffice it to say, there is none. Consequently, if you are sitting in a restaurant waiting to be served, don't hold your breath. Servers are few, and in many smaller, family-owned restaurants, there might not even be any. So if you need to order, or you want to ask for something else, don't be afraid to just walk up to the window and ask for what you need. It's not considered rude to wave down the proprietor or waiter, in fact...you might be sitting for a while if you don't. You will also notice that chopsticks, napkins, bowls, etc. are sitting out to be used as needed. This is something I really actually like, why do I have to wait for the waiter to go into the secret restaurant storage vault to bring out a single pair of chopsticks when I can just grab them myself?

drinking...

and eating!

3. night life
     Just like any big city, Seoul never is at a loss for things to do. Hit any one of the major districts nearby, and you're bound to find cafes, restaurants, bars, shopping, nightclubs and cultural events galore. Definitely can't complain about being bored here! What I also really like is that each district has it's own unique personality.... much like an enclave or village in the states. For tourist sites, go to Insadong, for a variety of international cuisine, go to Itaewon, for the best nightclubs, go to Hongdae, for the best restaurants, go to Gangnam, for amazing shopping, go to Myeong-dong; and you will find each is different and unique...although still Korean at the heart. 

4. public transport
     I truly cannot express how much I love love love the public transit system in Korea. It's cheap, it's clean, it's convenient...I can't praise it enough. You want to go somewhere at eleven o'clock at night? No problem! Just hop on one of the many subways or busses in the city, swipe your T-money card, and it'll take you to where you want to go. They run all day, and quite often too I might add....if you miss a bus, no worries, another will usually be along in less than fifteen minutes. The cost is low...about 90 cents to $2 for most places in the city. The convenience is amazing...I love to not have to worry about cars or driving or buying gas, it truly is a wondrous thing. Now, I will admit that it can get a little confusing sometimes with times, maps, different lines and such...but getting directions is usually easily available either online, or just ask whoever's nearby. Don't be afraid of getting a little bit lost... because there is almost always another way to get where you need to go, even if you end up taking the scenic route sometimes!

that little purple card in the corner is my T-money card....for all your transporting needs.

5. education system
     I am seriously so impressed with the education system in Korea. Working in the kindergarden makes me feel like an underachiever. These kids are bred to become lifelong learners. I find myself wondering, why is it that the children are so attentive to the teacher's lesson, even at the young and fidgety age of five? For one thing, I will say that the teacher of the kindergarden class I'm volunteering at is incredibly engaging...I don't even understand Korean, and I'm still interested!  She has a way of getting and keeping the children's attention, which is something that becomes increasingly more difficult in today's overstimulating environment. I'm learning a lot about teaching skills from her, and that's something that is perhaps even more valuable than actual content knowledge...no matter how much you know, it's to no use to either teacher or student if you can't get the students to even pay attention. Another thing I noticed is that she often will engage the students for a few minutes of talking, and then challenge them with a question. I'm astounded at how even at such a young age, the children are learning about history, politics, war....and they aren't just learning about it, they are engaging in thought and discussion. The class isn't just lecture though, the children are given ample time to run around and explore different learning activities in the room, set up for their enjoyment. The classroom is built not so much as a classroom with tables and chairs, but as a learning environment...with each corner made as a little opportunity for exploration. 

zoo day at kindergarten!

petting the snake

Finally, I have to conclude that perhaps the real gem isn't in the actual education system itself, it's in the attitude about education. I have to say that the overwhelming majority of students in the U.S. see education as just a big pain in the ass, but why is this, and when did it start? Much of the Korea's attitude towards education comes from a traditional belief in Confucian values. Without getting too philosophical, what a Confucian society entails is that to be a good citizen in our community or a good countryman, we must first become good individuals. One cannot become a leader of his community, until he is first an upright leader in his home. The same values apply to both: to be a good father, one must bestow compassion, knowledge and kindness to his children...and the same goes for a good leader. So how does one become a good individual? Confucius was one of the first of his time to impress upon his followers the value of a good education, before this time, little importance was put on reading, the sciences or the arts, except for scholars. But Confucius taught that even a commoner should attempt to educate himself in every way possible, and these are the beginnings of a better life, and a better attitude. 

 from the National Museum of Korea featuring a traditional Korean scholar's room

3 things I'm not a fan of:


1. manners
    okay, so I know I said I'm enjoying seeing the differences in social customs between the U.S. and Korea, but I'm not going to pretend like I enjoy every difference. I had mentioned in a previous post that certain things like bumping shoulders in the street and staring were really starting to irritate me...and i can't say my attitude towards that has changed much. At some point, I just have to ask myself, how much of this is considered cultural difference, and how much of it is just plain rudeness? I mean, when a guy practically runs you over just to be the first one in the subway, or to get a good spot on the elevator... that's no longer tolerable behavior...and I have a pretty good tolerance for rude people ( I worked in retail for 3 years, and  in restaurants for 5, so I've handled my fair share.) I think one of these days, I might just push one of those guys right back! 


2. materialism
     Okay, so this is my all time least favorite thing about Korean culture, and I'm not making generalizations with this one because every Korean will agree with me on this one. Koreans are obsessed with image, and that's a fact. People have the stereotype that Americans are materialistic, but I really have to disagree. Compared to Koreans, Americans look like downright bums...and this goes for everything: cosmetics, clothes, bags, cars, phones, everything. Americans may make the brands, but Koreans are the ones consuming them! I'm pretty sure I see more people wearing Abercrombie and thumbing through their iphones here in Korea than in the U.S.... And keep in mind that the markup on these items is incredibly inflated. A sweatshirt that sells for $40 in the U.S. may cost two or three times as much in Korea, depending on how coveted it is....and Koreans buy it anyways!! Korean women treat every day like a fashion show...makeup, hair extensions, heels, designer bag, brand-name dress, the works....and that's just to go to class! Frankly, I find it exhausting. Who wants that much pressure to look perfect all the time? No thank you...I'll take my good old American jeans & flip flops any day! (And by the way, I don't feel like I've exhausted all the intricacies of this topic yet..so be prepared to encounter it again in the future- hopefully complete with photos. )


3. education style
    I'm just going to come right out and say it: I hate going to class now. It has become such a chore, and keep in mind that I'm one of those weird overachiever students who (gasp*) actually likes going to class. (weird, I know!) But the teaching style here is really different from the U.S., and here's how: in the U.S., the students do most of the work in class and the professor is there mostly to facilitate and moderate discussion. So I might do 50-100 pages of reading for each class, but the bulk of the work lies in discussing the reading in class, and preparing my own interpretations of this reading, be it through writing a paper or preparing a project or presentation. What is important is not that you memorize the material, but that you have a working knowledge about it, and you are able to form your own opinions on the subject, and discuss or write about it with some degree of intelligence. In Korea however, the teaching style is much more traditional...and dare I say, boring: come to class, memorize book/power point, take test, repeat. Honestly, I think this is the worst way to learn. Not only does it hinder creative and original thought, but it kills the spirit of learning. Basically what I get from all this is that I have no input of my own: everything I need to know will be imparted to me either through my professor or through the textbook...but think of the limitations this creates. One biased professor in turn creates a whole classroom of equally biased students- because what the professor says goes. And need I say, a two hour lecture with absolutely no student discussion or input is incredibly dull and unstimulating....and then to have to actually sit down and memorize everything that professor has said so I can sit down and answer multiple choice questions for an exam on the subject makes me really hate the material, and hate learning. So there you have it, I'm loving Korea, but I can't wait to get back to my home university so I can be treated like an individual and not a drone without the capability to think for myself. 

Let's Talk about English

I have to apologize for my absence from blog world lately, the homework load is proving to be a little more than I expected, and I started doing my tutoring this week for my scholarship. To sum up, I have been granted the opportunity to take part in the Global Leaders Scholarship. This scholarship gives native English speakers to chance to talk to non-native English speakers in a comfortable and stimulating environment. The university offers the E-lounge here, a free service to any student here at Chung-Ang who wants to improve his/her English. (keep in mind that English tutors in this part of the country typically earn up to $50/hour for their services!) Needless to say, I am excited to take part in this awesome opportunity to get to know some new people, and we have been having some great conversations! Another awesome part of the scholarship gives students the options to volunteer in an elementary school right off campus. I have been placed in a kindergarten class of 10-14 children, some of who speak English, and some who don't. Isn't this difficult you may ask? I have to say that after almost a month of living here in Korea, I am hardly phased at the concept of someone not speaking English, in fact...I expect it. What I am fascinated by however, is that humans find endless ways to communicate. Often I find myself using hand motions in restaurants and grocery stores, just hoping the cashier catches my drift. In my kindergarten class, children always will find a way to tell you what they need to...even if it means just taking your hand and dragging you to what they want to show you. So why is everyone here so hell-bent on learning English? 
Honestly, this is a topic even I grapple with when I consider my future job prospects and the advantages/ consequences. On the one hand, English tutoring is an extremely lucrative and...well, easy living here in Korea, as well as any other relatively wealthy country that considers English to be a necessary education. Anyplace you can find industrialization + money, you are bound to find an English learning community. All this gets me thinking however, what exactly are the consequences to English becoming a globalized language? Are I simply becoming a linguistic imperialist by teaching my native language to willing learners? This questions nags my mind often, especially when I consider that I am very possibly replacing a native's future career in education. It is a well known fact that parents here insist their children learn English. It is the only way to secure good job prospects, as well as academic respect, and a native English speaker is almost always guaranteed a job in teaching English over a non-native speaker. The problem is however, that the issue always weighs around money. While English is taught K-12 in public schools here for free, parents still attempt to have their children be the best and brightest in every subject, including and especially English. Those families who have money to pay for continuing English education classes, private English tutors and trips abroad to English-speaking countries consequently have a better chance at succeeding in a globalized world because of their enhanced English skills, and those that don't have little hope of standing out in such a competitive job-market....how very archaic, and well...un-American. Aren't we taught that no matter your rank or social status, you can rise above it and become successful despite your circumstances? This is true in a world where English is the first language, but sadly...the opposite is hardly ever true. Non-native English speakers both in their native countries and abroad are praised for having excellent English skills, but when an American chooses to pursue language study in say, Japanese or German...the response is often something akin to..."oh really, how interesting! but what are you going to do with that?" We like to think that we have learned from our past days of imperialistic conquests in which we dominate other cultures through forcing our religions, our cuisines, our cultural traditions onto them...but truly, how is linguistic imperialism any different? I won't profess to have an answer to any of this, but I will tell you how I have come to cope with my own personal guilt with teaching English abroad...and the answer is simple: quid pro quo. I have relieved my guilt by making a promise to myself that I will never teach English in another country without at least trying to learn the native language myself. I will not pretend that my semester of learning Korean, and feebly being able to sound out Hangul letters  even compares to the hours upon hours students here spend trying to become fluent in English....but, it's something I tell my students all the time: it doesn't have to be perfect, you just have to be able to communicate, and as humans... we always seem to find a way. 

Korean People Don't Say Bless You

Before I got here, a lot of people warned me that Korean people are very unfriendly. Since being here, I can't exactly dispel this stereotype, but I can't exactly confirm it either. I will say that it's not so much that they are unfriendly people, but that they aren't overtly friendly. If you look lost on the street, it's very unlikely they will offer you directions, but if you ask politely, they will do their best to assist you... unless of course they don't speak English, in which case they will wave you off, or attempt to ignore you. Oh! and don't be surprised if when walking down the street, and you see a group of people taking up the entire sidewalk, without moving over or attempting to make room for you to pass; they will nonchalantly bump shoulders with you, with no mention of "excuse me!" or "oh, I'm sorry, did I bump you?"
Korean people stare... a lot!  I have to say that this country has a severe case of xenophobia, they neither welcome nor appreciate foreigners coming to their country- especially those who don't bother to learn their culture, or speak their language. I have become the racial anomaly in almost all my classes... professors constantly point out that I am an American, and in regards to the English language..."oh! perhaps Morgan can shed some light on this issue, since she is a native English speaker!" (as if I have the right to speak for the entire English language, because I am but one native English speaker) Being an outsider has become a way of life, and I'll be honest...it's very uncomfortable, and very disconcerting.
Now, before I get labeled into the ethnocentric American role who feels the need to stereotype everyone ("all Asian people are so rude!") I took the time to discuss this matter with a native Korean. This girl has spent two years in the U.S. as an exchange student, and upon her return to Korea, she herself is having trouble adjusting to her very own cultural norms. She explained to me, that life here in Korea is a matter of vying for space- in the same way that New Yorkers vie for real estate. This whole city is crowded with thousands of people all trying to get somewhere and be somebody. Competition becomes a way of life. So, when someone bumps you in the street without apologizing, it probably isn't that he did it on purpose to peeve you- he is simply asserting his space, or, on the other hand, he is so used to bumping shoulders with people, he hardly notices it anymore. He must be crowded with other Koreans in the elevator, on the bus, in his cubicle at work- even his house is most likely awkwardly jammed up against another, for the lack of space in Seoul is growing every day. In regards to race, it is true that Korean people are prejudiced, but part of this attributes to the space thing as well. For one thing, foreigners are few and far between here, since Korea is a largely homogeneous society. Another opinion might be that they view foreigners as invaders of their space- in the same way that indigenous people saw incoming settlers as invaders of their land. Korea is a rapidly changing society, much like the rest of Asia, so all of these cultural norms are slowly changing. You will notice the younger generation is slightly more apt to befriend an non-Korean than a person of the older generation...and this is how society changes, however slowly it may seem.
So...allow me to put my own, slightly positive spin on this. Back at home, I deal with people known as "foreigners" all the time. Some have only been in the U.S. a few weeks, some a few years, and some all their lives...and they constantly try to express to me their frustrations, their longings for home, their difficulty learning the language, their inability to just "fit in"- even simple everyday tasks become a burden; tasks such as, getting a job, finding a way to get to that job without the ability to obtain a driver's license, buying groceries...everything becomes foreign, unfamiliar.
And so we learn humility. We learn to ask for help when we need it, and we learn compassion. How can I, after living in a foreign country for a mere 1 week, presume to understand how others, who may have lived in the U.S. their entire lives, are treated as outsiders, because perhaps, their accent, their color, or habits that, to them, are simply a part of everyday culture. I cannot presume to know this. I am given, however, a glimpse into their lives. The obstacles I am forced to overcome here, everyday, may later serve as my motivation as a teacher for those eager to learn, and eager to be accepted.
So... next time you are at the grocery store, or at the bank, and sense yourself feeling boiling frustration- "How can you live in our country, and not speak our language?" ask yourself- how many times have you visited a foreign country and expressed this same annoyance that "ugh, no one here speaks any English!" yet... you are in their country? Remember to have compassion. Chances are, these people are trying to learn, and overcome great difficulty every day doing simple tasks. It's not easy to be different, an outsider, but if we were all the same, how boring it would be!

Home sweet home

Hi everyone!


This is the first time I am blogging from South Korea!


I've been here about 3 days, and so far I've been very busy attempting to adjust to life here.


My arrival here was a little chaotic, with the airline losing my bags & I had to sleep my first night here on a sheetless bed...but since then they have been recovered :)

I am living in the dormitories here at Chung-Ang university, which are a very coveted real estate, believe it or not... Many students who live up to an hour away are denied rooms because there are other students who live even further! The dorms here are pretty nice, comparable to what you'd see in American universities. The only big difference is that there is no kitchenette or anywhere to have a fridge or stove. Cooking in the dorms is strictly prohibited, along with many other things such as:
- having outside friends visit the dorms
- visiting the dormitory of the opposite sex
- alcohol, tobacco or drugs of any kind may not be kept in the dorms
- cooked food and food that can go bad may not be kept in the dorms
- a strict curfew of 1am is kept at all times- if you get to the dorms after 1am you will be denied access!

here is a picture of the dormitory- see that steep hill? I have to climb about 4 of those just to get to and from the dorms every day!

my bed has sheets now :)

closet

desk

But for the most part life here is pretty similar to an American dormitory, but you will notice that Korean students are NOT here to party! They are here to study, and are rarely distracted by outside influences (unlike many American students!)


My roommate's name is Minh Nguyet, she is a Vietnamese American from San Diego, California, and she has 14 brothers and sisters! She is such a sweetheart, and we are getting along quite well already.

our first meal out.... pho ;)
(so much for Korean culture immersion!)

The dormitory also offers a meal plan here for a very affordable price. The meals served are a choice between Korean and Western options, although I honestly don't even know what some of the Western options are, let alone the Korean options, haha. Meal times are strictly observed here, so if you miss the time breakfast/lunch/dinner is served, you're on your own! Luckily though, there are myriad of little restaurants and shops close by for all your meal and snacking needs. Since breakfast is served from 7-8 (way too early for me!) I took it upon myself to provide my own breakfast:

wala! 

Now...I know what you guys are thinking- really Morgan? you're in Korea, and you're eating corn flakes?? But let me explain! Breakfast in Asian countries is not anything like breakfast in Western countries, in fact, if you walked into the cafeteria at breakfast time, you'd have no idea it was breakfast! There is little distinction between foods eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. and YES! kimchi is even served at breakfast. Now, I'm sorry, but there is no way my stomach can handle spicy fermented cabbage at 9oclock in the morning. Gimme a chance to adjust guys! Thus the corn flakes, haha. I promise, once I become more familiar with my surroundings, I will share all of my Korean foodie experiences :)


I also started classes today, Beginning Korean and ELT curriculum (which is basically a class about different ways to teach ESL learners using different curriculums) So far, the classes here are similar to home, except the professors are a LOT stricter! Attendance is fiercely enforced, and much of your grade is dependent on midterms and finals....with little supplementation from homework or projects. 


I still have a lot to share...but alas! lunch and class are waiting....stay tuned for more soon :)

Goodbye Miss Havisham

What was I thinking? 


Did I seriously think I could do this? Just up and leave for five whole months? 


I guess I thought I would be too excited about going to even miss the people I care so much about... so why is it that I haven't even left yet & I already miss them? 
Reassurance is comforting, but it doesn't relieve the sinking feeling I feel in my heart. 
Yes, I know I'll be back before I know it, but it's exactly the "before I know it" part I'm worried about! 
I know I'm going to have a great time, great experiences, meet exciting people and see wonderful sights, but I'm so scared to leave what I know. I guess in my dreams and fantasies of leaving home to explore the world, I never thought of the actual act of leaving home. 
But this is life. Life is change, and those that can't accept it become remnants of the past, left to reminisce of a world that no longer exists. 
So although it's scary, and unfamiliar, and everyone is scared of the F word- failure, Life goes on;.Whether you fail or not, whether you accomplished what you wanted to do or you didn't, life goes on, and in a way, it's reassuring. 
I guess what I am afraid of most is the people who are important to me forgetting me and moving on. But in a way, while we do all move on eventually, truly part of us never really does. Each person in our life, whether they are a constant companion, or simply an acquaintance on your journey, each person will impact you, they will add to your experience, and if & when they leave, they will leave an indelible mark on your life. To leave is inevitable. To move on is certain, but for the people and experiences that are of any real importance, to forget these is impossible.  


"Because maybe, in a way, we didn't leave it behind nearly as much as we might once have thought. Because somewhere underneath, a part of us stayed like that: fearful of the world around us, and no matter how much we despised ourselves for it--unable quite to let each other go." -kazuo ishiguro