Why go? Jeffrey Cronin

The pros and cons of study abroad have long been debated. Over the years I have heard people say things like “Why would you pay all that money to attend classes in another country? You could study the same material right here at home.” Honestly, I wonder why people even ask this question because the answer is so simple. Taking advantage of a study abroad program is sound business. In fact, global education is an investment in yourself.

On a personal level foreign study is much more than classroom exchange. On our trip to Korea we learned about the Korean people, their history, their politics, their legal system, etc. We had the opportunity to meet Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow, US Ambassador to Korea. (This was a great opportunity for the students interested in working for the government.) On another day-trip we visited the Korean Constitutional Court which was established only twenty years ago just after South Korea moved for democracy. At the court we met several law students from other schools and spent time with one of the Court’s law clerk, who by-the-way is a US trained lawyer working in Seoul. Additionally, one of our students met the US General Counsel for an international franchise who was there doing a survey of IP protection and product consistency; and others attended the world technology and software trade show held in Seoul. These situations are far beyond the classroom and each one provided knowledge, contacts, and experience that could never be learned at home.

The Ties that Divide -- Andrew Lake 2

The national symbol of Korea is a red and blue circle showing the contrast between yin and yang.  No other symbol is more appropriate.  As the previous postings have indicated, Korea is a fully modern, prosperous nation, with a culture that is unique to the uninitiated Westerner.  Seoul is huge and has all that can be offered in an area inhabited by 24 million people.  

But just 50 kilometers north lies the world's most heavily fortified border, considered by many to be one of the most dangerous places in the world.  This division between the two Koreas is known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and it affectively divides a single nation, people, and culture.

When the Korean War ended in a stalemate in 1953, the generals drew the line there, in the center of the peninsula.  In order to prevent further clashes, this 155 mile long, 2.5 mile wide buffer zone was established.  The area consists of a seemingly endless series of barbed wire, bunkers, watchtowers, and artillery emplacements.  Today, it is open  to the public and my classmates and I had the opportunity to visit on our last week in Korea.

Smack in the middle of the DMZ, just between the fences, is the very epicenter of the Cold War era conflict between North and South Korea.  Called Panmunjeom, but officially known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), this is the one place where North and South Korean soldiers can stand just feet from each other and, literally, stare face-to-face.  There is a line in the middle, marking the respective sides.  There are buildings on both sides and a number which straddle the line, one of which contains the conference table where officials from the North and South can meet.  Anyone who crosses the line outside the conference building is considered to have defected.  These defections do often occur and many situations have erupted in firefights.  

As tourists, we were highly restricted in our activities.  For one thing, only foreigners can go to the JSA.  Koreans are simply not permitted.  Other restrictions included no pictures, no talking without permission, and we had to stick to a respectable dress code (in case we ended up on North Korean propaganda posters; seriously).  All of this was meant to prevent North Korean soldiers from misinterpreting our actions and starting an international incident.  Perhaps most striking was the requirement that we sign a form waiving any claim for an injury caused by enemy or friendly fire.

When our bus pulled up to the South Korean building, we were quickly marched inside double-file.  Then, we were rushed into the conference building.  Once there, we were actually permitted to cross the line in the middle, which meant we were technically in North Korean territory.  No funny business was allowed, especially under the watchful eyes of the South Korean and American soldiers.  All of our touring took place while a North Korean soldier stood on his respective side and stared at us through his binoculars.  The feeling there was very eerie.  The silence was deafening and one could sense an almost crushing tension in the air.

On the ride back, I asked our tour guide why Koreans are not allowed to go to Panmunjeom.  His revealing answer was that the place is very emotional for Koreans.  This is understandable since many families were separated by the war.  Also, the knowledge that Korea has been divided between a democratic, capitalist state and an Orwellian dictatorship is an item which haunts the Korean psyche to this day.  

For anyone who visits Korea, I highly recommend the tour of Panmunjeom.  Do it at the end, that way you can experience the tension and the stark contrast between North and South Korea.

Andy Thomas Part II

Seoul, while unique in its own way, is also similar to many other metropolitan cities in Asia--that is, it has been "westernized" to some degree.  This is particularly apparent when you look around and see the different restaurants.  One of the first restaurants I saw on the morning after I arrived was Subway.  McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and even Smoothie King were maybe a ten minute walk from the University where we stayed.  Yet, do not be deceived.  All of these places have their Asian twists.  That is one of the neatest things about traveling abroad, you see some of the same stuff you have at home, but it is always different.  One example was KFC.  In Korea, KFC has a sandwich called "the Tower."  Of course, when I saw it I had to try it.  It was not as weird as say chicken feet or intestines (which we did eat while we were there), but it was unique nonetheless.  "The Tower" had a fried chicken fillet, lettuce, mayo, cheese, and to top it all off, a hashbrown.  Yes, I did actually say a hashbrown, but don't knock it before you try it.  Here in America, putting a hashbrown on a chicken sandwich sounds disgusting, but it was actually quite tasty even though it may only be a once a year type meal.  Another example would be the waffle fry pizza that Pizza Hut in Seoul offers.  Although I did not try it, you would be surprised at how appetizing a waffle fry pizza looks after you have been served Kimchi (otherwise known as pickled lettuce) at every other meal.  

One of the other truly great things about Seoul was being able to walk or take the metro almost anywhere.  There are so many parks, monuments, temples, and markets scattered throughout the city that it was impossible to see everything in one month.  However, being able to walk many places allowed me to see and experience so much more than I normally would by taking a car everywhere.  Seoul has a plethora of activities to offer including hiking, shopping (they have there own version of Rodeo Drive), clothes markets, food markets (see the fish above), herbal medicine markets, etc. etc.  You could literally do or see something different every single day we were there.   So, if your just the least bit adventurous, Seoul will not disappoint.

  

We Should Do That In American 2- Lauren Casey

After Returning home from Seoul I realized that I remembered the little, quirky things about Korea more than I thought I would. It's the little things that show you how truly different the cultures are.
After about one week in Seoul I got used to most of the differences---it is strange how you just do not realize that no one around you is speaking English. (This was actually really coll and I miss it because you could talk about anything and you could be assured that pretty much no one around you could understand what you were saying). But randomly, I would see something so strange and funny that it just caught my attention. Every few days we would be walking around the city and we would see a couple, usually young, dressed in identical outfits. Now in America there is the common trend for a couple to wear matching Halloween costumes such as Wilma and Fred, but these people were matching in the middle of June. I am not really sure why this is done, but I think that it is a really good idea.
I think we should do this in America because it would cut down on the confusion of whether a person is taken. You would just know because they are both wearing the same blue and white stripe shirt. It would end the awkwardness of hitting on someone that was taken and them having to say, "Sorry I have a boyfriend/ girlfriend." This is just seems to simplify things so well.
Deciding to go to Seoul has been one of the greatest decisions that I have made---the chance to see a different culture and immerse yourself in it was truly a one in a lifetime experience. I really miss it, especially now that school has started!!

The Korean Experience-- Russell Johnson

When I first decided to study in Korea for the summer, I thought I had made an enormous mistake. I had no knowledge of the culture, the language, or how long a fifteen hour plane ride really was. Luckily this was just first time jitters. The Korean Summer Program was my first trip out of the United States and I was naturally nervous. Once arriving and settling in, this trip became one of the best experiences of my life.
The entire trip was a refreshing culture shock. Being from a moderate size city, Seoul was an amazing site to see when you realize that a majority of South Korea’s population is centered there. With this much activity centered in one area, one is able to experience all of South Korea’s culture without ever getting to far away from the city. During the month I spent in Seoul, I took in as much as possible while still taking classes.
There are many experiences that made the trip such as the food, the city, the people, and even the classes. My personal favorite experience was the food. I was worried that the food would be so completely different that I would lose weight because I would not eat it. I was happily surprised by the food though. There were definitely some differences. Food seemed to be much fresher and the service was great. Lacking any communication skills, eating was always an adventure. From pointing to pictures or just pointing at a Korean word hoping for the best, eating was always fun. The surprises would be an omelet, spicy chicken feet, or many times a tasty noodle dish. The key I have found to food is to always keep an open mind. It might not be the best thing you have ever eaten, but you do not know till you have tried it. I personally had the best dumplings and spring rolls of my entire life. Also just to be a good American tourist, go to McDonalds and try the Big Bulgogi.(Korean Big Mac) You might be surprised.
We not only were able to run around Seoul for a month, but were able to get outside the city for a look at other cities. From what I saw, South Korea is an amazing country. The country is mainly mountainous and the country has to work with the land that it has. One city we visited was the beach community of Sokcho. Sokcho was not as appealing as one would want a beach town to be, especially since it was raining, but it did have a national park on the edge of town that made the trip worthwhile. The national park was massive. The rain hindered our view of the valley and surrounding areas, but knowing how high you are and the rain made the top of the mountain worth the soaked walk to the top. The fifty foot statue of Buddha was also rather impressive. The other city that I visited slips my mind. I ended up there after riding the bullet train half way down the country. The city was nothing like Seoul, but made one realize that daily life in small towns is the same around the world.
Living in Seoul was definitely worth the trip. Seoul is more than one can experience in a month. Inside the city one can find palaces, temples, museums, mountain climbing, and every modern convenience anyone could need. The city amazed me by it use of space and preservation of its culture. The only allowance for unused space was in their temples and palaces. These huge monuments of the past show the lifestyles of the royal family. The elaborate and intricate design of the buildings and their decorations exemplifies the importance Koreans take in every detail. The Koreans seem to continue this tradition today as they reshape their country.
Overall, the Korean Summer Program was an amazing experience and adventure. The classes were more prevalent being in an economy that is constantly growing on the international market. The experience of trying to find one’s way around a strange country without any clue of how to speak the language only enhances how I perceived the culture. The people were always kind and helpful, even if they could not understand you. Mostly, I wish I could have those spring rolls again.

We Should Do That In America 1---Lauren Casey

We were in Korea for nearly a month and saw a lot of interesting things, but I bet you could be there for only a few moments to pick up on the many, obvious cultural differences. Some of these differences were very strange, such as the random animal parts that were served at one memorable dinner, but others, in my opinion, need to be adopted in the United States.
When we first arrived at Sookindang, the building where the students resided, we were greeted by our house mother who promptly instructed us to remove our shoes. Shoe removal is a common practice not only in Korea, but in most other Asian nations. There is the obvious reason of cleanliness, but I did a little research and found that there are much deeper reasons for this practice. Culturally it is rude to leave ones shoes on when entering another’s home because the purpose is to keep the house clean as well as quiet. Another, more spiritual reason that I discovered is that leaving shoes outside is symbolic of leaving the world outside. The removal of the shoes is letting your mind know that you are transitioning from work to the sanctuary of your home. This seems like such a relaxing idea, but I doubt the typical workaholic American will have this same mindset when removing their shoes.
I know many Americans that already have this policy in their house, and in fact, it is common practice in Hawaiian homes to remove ones shoes. The cleanliness factor is the primary reason for why most American would do this, but this policy may not be greeted with open arms with all house guests. Nearly every day when I would come in the door and remove my shoes I would think of Sex and the City. There is an episode where the shows main character, Carrie, is instructed to remove her shoes by the hostess of the party she is attending. She reluctantly does so while complaining that she is so tiny without her 4 inch heels. At the end of the party, Carrie goes to grab her shoes and someone has stolen her $500 Minolo Blaniks. I know very few people who have shoes that are worth stealing, so this should not be an issue if someone should decide to adopt this in their household.
This may not become common practice in all American homes, but I know that since I have been back from Korea there have been very few days when I have walked into my house with shoes on.

Sokcho and Busan- Alise Ballard

During our stay in Korea we visited two beach towns, Sokcho and Busan (Also, known as Pusan). Being that it was the beginning of the rainy season, every time we left Seoul for some sunny beach time—it DOWNPOURED! Despite the rain, each town was a nice get away for the busy city of Seoul.

Sokcho is located in the Northeast part of South Korea. We traveled for 3 ½ hours by express bus to the city. The hotel we stayed in was a traditional Korean hotel with no beds, just blankets and pillows. The East Sea could be seen from our deck. I think we all had our fingers crossed that it would stop raining so we could go swimming in the East Sea, but unfortunately that never happened.

Busan is the second largest city in Korea after Seoul and the largest port city in South Korea. We traveled to Busan by KTX train (as pictured). The KTX train runs on new high-speed line using French TGV technology. To travel across South Korea it took only 2 ½ hours and we traveled at 300 km/h. It was extremely fast but you never felt like you were going that fast, it felt like a normal train ride. Given the short distance we decided to go just for the day. Once again, as soon as we stepped out Seoul it began to pour. However, the train ride made up for this. We were able to see some of the country that is not around the Seoul area, like farming villages and rice fields.

It was a nice getaway on the week to be able to travel rather cheaply across South Korea. My advice for traveling to the beach in June and July in Korea is to bring an umbrella and some rain boots!

Shopping in Seoul- Alise Ballard

Seoul, Korea was amazing! It was a life changing experience that I never will forget and am so thankful that I got chance to visit. The University we stayed at was amazing, and after a couple of days it began to feel like home. We did everything in our 27 day stay from eating REALLY strange food- i.e. chicken feet, grilled various (which I still have no clue what that really is), pig intestines, and my all time favorite kimchi- to visiting the Demilitarized Zone-which was also very interesting considering one student was almost taken away by a North Korean Solider. (It should probably be noted that I did not try the really strange food, I enjoyed observing and encouraging other people to eat the really strange food.) However, the thing I enjoyed the most in Korea was all the great shopping around Seoul.

Seoul’s two largest markets, Dongdaemum (East Gate) and Namdaemum (South Gate), by far have the best deals on clothing, accessories, and pretty much anything else you could imagine. The stores owners and vendors speak little English making it hard to sometimes try to negotiate price with them. Both of these markets are located on winding streets with wall to wall vendors. Dongdaemum is open 24 hours and always packed. Namdaemum has been in existence for 600 years, and is more of an opened air flea-market. As you can see from the picture above, it was extremely hard to walk down the crowded rows of things for sale and take it all in. But these two areas in Seoul are definitely a bargain shopper’s paradise.

For the less serious shoppers, there are shopping areas for them too. Itaewon is the most westernized shopping area in Seoul. The shop owners and vendors speak very good English and in some stores even take American Money. This area of Seoul seems to be catered to the Westerner tourist with great souvenirs and even a few westerner type restaurants. If you are in the market for antiques and art, the Insa-Dong area is the place for that. It has second hand stores, art work, pottery, antiques, and similar items. Itaewon and Insa-Dong are much quieter and less crowded then Dongdaemum and Namdaemum, and great places to spend a day wondering around.

Seoul, Korea is absolutely beautiful. Being there for almost a month did not give me enough time to do all the things I wanted to do there. I would encourage anyone who was given the opportunity to visit. The shopping and sight-seeing is like no other place in the world.

Andy Thomas--Part I

When people ask me, "How was Seoul?," the first thing I usually say is that it was huge- the city that is.  The size of the city was one of the first things that blew me away.  I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places, including places in Europe and some other Asian cities, but Seoul was on a different level.  It went up, down, and out with people literally everywhere.  There was never really a point in time when I could get away from people, except may in my own bathroom.  Nearly 25 million people live in the metropolitan area--that is roughly 1/4 of the population of Korea!  It was pretty amazing.

For me, one of the most memorable experiences about visiting a new city overseas is the taxi rides, and Seoul was no different.  They have traffic laws, but it is more of an organized chaos.  If you ever want to get a feel for the pace of a city, just hop in a cab.  I find that riding in a taxi is one of the best ways to not only see a city, but also to find your way around.  However, in Asia, it is also one of the quickest ways to "see your life flash before your eyes."  One night, Jeff, Russ, and I had to take a cab back to the university because the metro had stopped running.  We flagged down this little old man in a taxi and hopped in.  After about 6 or 7 attempts of trying to explain to him where we needed to go he finally just took off--they never knew any English and our Korean was spotty at best.  I truly believe this old guy was crazy or he at least had a lot of fun pretending that he was.  He was driving through the center of Seoul at about 115 kph (that is about 70 mph).  I really believe at one point we were nearly on two wheels going around a curve in about 10 lanes of traffic.  It was truly ridiculous.  And, during the entire trip back, he was singing loudly along with the radio, laughing at us, and yelling in Korean for no particular reason.  The faster he went, the more fun he thought it was.  We were obviously freaked out, yelling, and laughing as well (however, it was one of those fearful OMG type laughs--what have we gotten ourselves into!).  So needless to say, it was a crazy experiences and one of the most memorable. It was something that you just cannot replicate, and probably something you would not want too.

Life in Seoul - Lindsey Tew

Annyung hayseo!  

The adjustment to South Korea took me a few days, but I ended up really loving it. Seoul is a great city.  The weather there was just like home in the day time - HOT. But at night it really cooled off and it felt nice. 

The second night we were there, we had quite an interesting dinner.  We went to a local sports bar and decided to order one of everything on the menu for the table to share.  However, we had no idea what we were actually ordering.  One menu item was “grilled various,” and “various” it was – including one dish that was actually some type of barbequed chicken feet. I am not making this up.  We were also exposed to "kimchi" for the first time. (That is kimchi in the picture.) Wow, the Koreans love some kimchi.  Kimchi is any form or flavor of pickled vegetables with seasoning, there are numerous varieties of it and it is served at every meal. Kimchi is usually a side dish but it can be the main ingredient in other things as well, like kimchi soup or kimchi water. Kimchi is sort of a national dish and the Koreans are very proud of it. Whenever a group of small children would see us approaching, they would recognize that we were Americans and yell, “Hi!!” We would say hello back to them and they would say, “What is your name? Do you like kimchi??”

We partnered with Sookmyung Women’s University for our program. The faculty and staff at Sookmyung were so gracious and helpful.  They provided us with students from the University who went with us to different things to act as translators. It was really interesting getting to know them and seeing how college life in Korea differs from America.

Seoul, home to 23 million people, is a lot like the big cities in the United States. There were many distinct areas of the city, each with an atmosphere that was unique from the other areas. Itaewon was my favorite part of Seoul. Itaewon was very westernized with a Korean twist. A lot of foreigners lived in that area so it was a touristy district with lots of American food and shopping - carts and booths on the street plus good stores.  The best part of Itaewon was the Cold Stone.

The public transit in Korea was impressive. In Seoul, the Metro system was pretty easy to navigate, it was well marked and very clean down in the stations. If you wanted to venture out of the city, you could get basically anywhere by train or bus. We took two beach trips, one to Suckcho which is on the Eastern coast of Korea on the East Sea. Then we went to Busan on the very Southern coast.  

Our "apartment" was a fabulous setup. It was like a dorm, but it was located on the top floor of an administration building. Each room had bunk beds, desks, and a bathroom. There was big common area with a den, dining room, and kitchen. We also had a laundry room and computer room. We had a huge balcony that overlooked the campus. My last night in Korea was on the 4th of July.  There were actually fireworks and we able to watch them from our balcony.

Over all it was a great experience and I encourage anyone who gets the chance to go.