Tuesday, July 21, 2009

I Miss it Already. . .

I began perusing my pictures today from Seoul (one week after arriving home) and started having that nostalgic feeling that inevitably comes after an amazing trip. I can not pin down one precise experience that “made” the trip for me—rather, I think the positive impression I have from Seoul (and the numerous side-trips we made) comes from a culmination of the trip in its entirety. So, I decided a good blog topic might be a sort of “Why Should I go to Seoul Next Summer?” address (the Matt Harris edition).

Conquer the Unknown

According to the U.S. State Department, roughly 30% of Americans have been issued passports allowing them to lawfully travel abroad. Of that number, many stay close to home in either the geographical sense (experiencing Canada or Mexico) or in the cultural sense (Western Europe/Caribbean). Asia, however, stays far from the radar for many Americans. That being the case, travelling to Asia invokes a real sense of exploration. How many fellow law students have you met who have actually travelled to Asia? Now, how many can say they lived in Korea for almost one month?

My point is simple—having the courage to make the leap to Asia can be said to be rare. Many folks would rather travel elsewhere, preferring instead to avoid travel to the Far East (there is a reason Malaria medication was recommended, after all). I cannot lie—getting off the first plane in Tokyo was a bit (okay, very) unnerving. I lived in Greece for part of a summer while an undergrad, and, although I’m not sure why, Asia was just “different.” I can’t put my finger on it, but travelling to abroad to Asia is a completely different experience. There were times when it really did feel like the “unknown.” Although the language and culture are obvious barriers, there are times when I would look around and think “that is so different than the way X does it.” Although it may sound cliché, I have to greatly admire everyone in the MC Law group for so quickly and confidently adjusting to a completely different and sometimes challenging environment.

Meet Interesting Classmates

Professor “Thor” Bowman (the name was his choice, not ours) boldly signed on to take eleven first year law students (technically second year, but still) across the world. Until we arrived in country, I did not give much thought as to who the other students on the trip were. With the exception of a few who were close friends before the trip, most everyone else met or “actually met” on the trip (I think most people had a sort of “yes, I know of that person, but I don’t really ‘know’ that person” mantra). This, of course, happens when the first year class size approaches 200 students.

I think everyone was greatly surprised at the wealth of backgrounds and experience possessed by the other students. For example, I knew Juan Delgado spoke English as a second language. I did not know, however, that he had such a large business background in both Mexico and the U.S.—in fact, Juan had a story or input (in a good way, not the “gunner” way) for almost every class session in both International Business Transactions and Global Issues. Likewise, I had no idea Karen had a Haitian background or that Cici was actually from France. I guess my point with this is that taking this trip really opens your eyes not only to Korea or the Far East, but also to those back home in Mississippi—the trip certainly provides motivation to get to know my classmates/future colleague better.

The Inevitable Clash of Coursework with Practicality

One of my favorite encounters from the trip was with a man named Edward Kim, whom a few of us met one evening in Seoul. As it turns out, Ed is actually a practitioner of international trade with his textile manufacturing firm (his firm is called “HYOSUNG,” and has offices in Korea, the U.S., and China). Ed spoke a great deal of English and we quickly began a conversation that would last most of the night. He spoke of his great affinity for certain parts of the American trade system, and at other times would hold nothing (read: absolutely nothing!) back regarding how he loathed other aspects. In just a few short hours I learned a great deal about the very subject I had ventured so far to study. More importantly, though, we got the version of the subject that has an actual face; Ed’s work in international trade is personal—his family depends on his competency in the subject for livelihood. Having that conversation portrayed the “real-life,” “this-area-of-the-law-makes-the-world-go-round” side to the subject. I think those of us who had the privilege of meeting Ed while listening to his many stories really began to grasp the notion that IBT goes far beyond the reading in our case book—the subject is immense, practical, and has an impactful meaning the world over. Finally, that we learned all this through a simple, chance encounter made it all the more meaningful.

Do It!

Beg, borrow, or steal your way to Seoul for the summer of 2010. This is a trip you will not regret. The culture is welcoming and hospitable, and, although huge, the city is easy to navigate and you will soon feel at home. I learned plenty on this trip about the coursework we came to study, but also plenty about myself, the profession I hope to enter in only a few short years, and my classmates who made the trip such an enjoyable experience. I promise—you will too.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Keith Hoffman’s Day By Day (By Day) Blog of International Study Abroad Program Location: Seoul, Korea & Beijing, China

Monday June 15th

I have arrived in Seoul, Korea after 17 hours on 3 different planes (New Orleans to Los Angeles to Tokyo to Seoul). I have to admit I was a little a nervous arriving in a foreign place where symbols are the alphabet and there is no way I can understand what is going on! To my surprise the first taxi drivers I approached spoke perfect English. He was so good in fact that he managed to rip me off for 120,000 Won, roughly $120 US. Although I have to admit he was hilarious. He taught me multiple profanities in Korean which I quickly forgot within the first 30 seconds as I was exhausted and worn out.

As I finally arrived at Sookmyung Women’s University (which the cabbie also thought was strange that my final destination was a university for women) I knew the ease of arriving was too good to be true. The language barrier came into play within my first hour upon arrival as the security guards at Sookmyung do not speak a lick of English! So here I am with all my luggage in humidity over 120% walking up and down 90 degree angled hills around the campus asking for Sookingdang, but apparently when English speaking people attempt Korean no one understands even though it sounds exactly like what you just said! Fortunately I ran into a professor from South Carolina who attempted to help me but he could fare no better. So he assigned 2 young students (cute girls of course) to guide me all along the campus as I am sweating bullets now with no clue of where I am going. Two and a half hours later, I guess I bothered the security guards enough they finally just gave me a key to the international studies dormitory. As the 2 girls walked me to my room, sure enough there was Professor Bowman in the room next to me! He gave me this weird look like, “Keith, you’ve just arrived in Seoul and already you’re bringing 2 Korean girls back to your room?!?!” As we had a good laugh about it, we walked to Sookindang, where I was staying. I met up with everybody we joked relaxed for a couple of hours and then pure extreme exhaustion set in, so I hit the hay. Learning curse words, getting ripped off, and getting lost for over 2 hours while I was on the campus, not too shabby for the first night in Seoul, should be an interesting trip…

Tuesday June 16th

Surprisingly I woke up today and was not jet lagged at all. After experiencing my first International Business Transactions & Global Issues in Corporate Law classes with Professor Bowman, I was confident in furthering my interest as a legal professional with regards to International Corporate Law. For the first time, I experienced the sunrise on the continent of Asia. Seoul is a lot hazier than I thought it would be, as the rainy season definitely affects the weather here. I also finally got to experience the infamous “HILL” all the previous students from last year’s summer program endured. Wow, a 90 degree slope combined with 125% humidity is one heck of a combination as perspiration poured out of me! Today I also managed to eat authentic Korean food which I loved! Who wouldn’t love a pot of rice with beef and a substance known as “kimchee” (pickled cabbage which is spiced)? And all for 5000 Won?!?! (roughly $5 US Dollars)

So now that the Study Abroad Program is attended by all, as I was the last one to arrive, we decided to celebrate at Hong-ik University which is a little bit north of Sookmyung. What a ride this was! We decided to experience the nightlife of Seoul to its fullest capacity. Lasers, techno, fog machines, bartenders with whistles, need I say more? I also managed to stop by and see Namoo, the local attaché near Sookmyung University who has already gotten to know most of us by name. Uncle Gee is his right hand man and we introduced Facebook to the 2 of them, which they were more than intrigued and ecstatic joining.

Mel & Company.

Wednesday June 17th

I had to register today with the USO for the upcoming DMZ trip on June 30th. Everyone was excited to see hamburgers and French fries so while we were down there at the USO a few of us decided to go the Korean War Museum which is nearby. So I had the impression the Korean War Museum was exclusively dedicated to the recent Korean War which gave us the infamous 38th parallel. These thoughts were supported with the statutes and symbols outside of the actual museum itself but once you walk inside the museum, you are graced with the entire Korean history of international conflict from Japan, Russia, and China etc dating back to B.C. days. So it was a total curveball to me to see this massive building dedicated to the entire armed “resolutions” of the Korean people. If you ever get the chance to see it, it is quite a remarkable site but be prepared to spend at least a few hours to walking in and out of the rooms. Also, air-conditioning seems to be running at a minimum at the museum, so bring water and tennis shoes.

Thursday June 18th

So Mel Williams, an alumnus from MC who is stationed over in Seoul, invited us over to his friend’s apartment for happy hour. They went above and beyond to make us feel at home and entertain all of us. We all had a great time and a huge thank you goes to all of them!

Friday June 19th

Professor Bowman set a special arrangement up for us to visit Kim & Chang, Seoul’s largest and one of the most prominent law firms in all of South Korea. To start the day off, Kim & Chang sent in a senior partner who turned was the old ambassador to the United Nations (UN) from South Korea. Not every day, do you get to roll out of bed to shake hands with a UN Ambassador. The whole experience was first class all the way. The conversation with the associates, regarding Korean Law, was intriguing and engaging. In addition we were treated to a first class lunch with spectacular views.

We also decided to fly to Jeju Island which is the most Southern island off the mainland of Korea. Our flight was scheduled for 4:05 pm. We arrived at Gimpo Airport (ask Juan Delgado about his Korean language song) at exactly 4:10 pm. Thank God Asiana Airlines is insanely efficient and actually voted the best airline in the world. They were extremely helpful and understanding and put us on the 4:35 flight. After all the rush and anticipation we are all extremely excited to be in the island paradise that is Jeju Island!

Saturday June 20th

After discovering that our hotel was pretty much far away from everything on Jeju, we decided to head to the beach. The day was not as pretty as the day before but we really didn’t care. We explored the coarse beaches, waterfalls, and to our surprise all of the cliffs that surrounded the beaches in Jeju. Also, old women apparently are the fisherman around Jeju as it is part of their tradition. They were selling live fish around the beaches that were just swimming around in buckets and baby pools. I was not in the food adventurous mood, so I was not willing to dabble in the local cuisine. So we went to the Hyatt for lunch, little did we know our bills would all be over $50 for lunch. So after lunch we decided our luck at the casino. Only Adrienne came out on top.

Sunday June 21st

Last day in Jeju, was kind of an odd one as we all had to be at the airport later that afternoon, so we decided to split up and conquer the island in separate groups. Matt, Lucy, and I decided to go to the World Cup Stadium. It was nice but to our surprise there was the World Sex Museum inside the World Cup Stadium. Wow, for discretion’s sake I will not disclose the immediate contents of the museum but let’s just say I learned a few things that day and I also want to UN-learn a few things from that day.

Monday June 22nd

So Itaewon (pronounced ee-tay-won) is the foreigner shopping section of Seoul. Professor Bowman was all excited about getting his new suit from Mr. Yang. Mr. Yang is apparently a well-known tailor whose clients have served the likes of General Petraeus and Yancy. I didn’t need any suits so I decided to get a few shirts that are custom made. I’m excited to see how they turn out next week. Oh yeah I think Bowman was there for about 4 hours trying to decide which fabric he wanted, kind of always amusing to see the quirks of your law professor!

Tuesday June 23rd

Tuesday was just a relaxation day and packing day in preparation for our trip to Beijing, more to come from China…

Wednesday June 24th Sunday June 28th Trip to Beijing

Forgive me but I did not bring a laptop to Beijing so I am recollecting the trip from scratch notes on brochures and napkins so I apologize for things not necessarily being in chronological order. Most of it is tourist things that really need to be experienced first-hand to fully appreciate Chinese history.

Our flight to Beijing went off without a hitch but the taxi ride from the airport was a different story! We managed to fit 13 people in the taxi including the driver along with everyone’s luggage. Picture the van no bigger than a minivan you see driving on the highways. Bowman, Lucy & I lucked out by only having to fit 3 people across the very backseat as compared to the 4 and 5 across the other backseats that faced each other old school station wagon style. The driver also managed to drive us to the wrong hotel, Welcome to Beijing!

The next day we went to the Great Wall. All I have to say is WOW! We only experienced one section in the wall but it was totally impressive. I had no idea the Great Wall was so steep or massive! It took us over 2 hours to get the very peak of the wall it was so steep. It is also extremely hot and polluted in Beijing where temperatures were constantly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the smog was so bad that seeing 3 or 4 blocks over was an extremely dark haze. We also managed to see Tiananmen Square at night. We were there for about 15 or 20 minutes walking around when the Beijing Police kicked us out because apparently the park closes at 8 or 9 pm.

Beijing is the equivalent to New York City in the US. Having family from NYC, I was used to the hustle and bustle attitude that people from Jackson really do not have. Everyone was extremely busy and almost to the point of pushiness but not in a rude way because of course they want your money. But there is a difference culturally between China and Korea.

There are numerous other things to do in Beijing to do including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Pearl Market, Exquisite Dinners for cheap, Summer Palace, and Olympic Stadiums (Birds Nest and Water Cube). I would definitely recommend going to Beijing but just be careful when wandering. Also as a quick recommendation, take taxis as they are not expensive and the quickest way around town.

Overall Evaluation of the Trip:

This is a once in a lifetime trip that should be experienced by every student with the interest in not just international law, but business law as well. Professor Bowman explains the ins and outs of problems facing corporations in the states and abroad. He paints such a vivid realistic picture of the intricacies of the global business community that raises many interesting questions. His approach may be able to not only improve MC as a leading Study Abroad Program but also improve the global business community as a whole! When else in your life do you get to experience another country full of life and tradition for an entire month? And get credit for it!

Bowman's Final Blog Post

Well, I can't believe that our time in Seoul is already over! I am now home, but still jetlagged. We had a fabulous time, saw a lot, and learned a lot. Our classes went really well, and there was a lot of spirited discussion. And outside of class we had fun:
--We played a lot of food roulette. Matt Harris was both the big winner (Korean omelettes) and also the big loser (boiled pork skin), and Juan Delgado met his match in a spicy chicken dish.
--We played human Tetris in elevators (Question: How many Americans can you fit in a Korean elevator? Answer: 11. Sadly, there were 12 of us.)
--We saw more sights than we had a right to in 26 short days in China and Korea.
So it's no wonder I am tired, as well as jetlagged.
I want to send a sincere thanks to the students who participated, as well as to their families for supporting them in going to Korea, especially during this time of tensions with North Korea. All of you put your faith in the school and this program, and I really do appreciate it. I am better off for having participated in the program, and I hope all the students feel that way too.
Best, Greg

A Weekend in Jeju

One weekend during our stay in Korea a few of us decided to take a trip to Jeju Island, which is the southern most island in South Korea. The whole group was super excited to leave straight from our meeting at Kim & Chang that day (a local law firm in Korea). After meeting with some associates from Kim & Chang, we went to lunch with them at a local traditional restaurant at a palace in the mountains. Throughout the entire lunch we all were trying to plot something to get out of there early. Needless to say, we couldn’t figure anything out so we continued on the bus that was chartered for us that took us to the university. As soon as the bus stopped, we all bolted for the big hill. We eventually all made it up the hill and managed to get our stuff together within 15 minutes (the girls – me and Lucy – were ready; however, the boys had not packed the night before). Now, in two different cabs, we were off to Gimpo International Airport. We arrived within enough time just to check in and run to the plane.

Your browser may not support display of this image. After all that turmoil, once we arrived in Jeju it felt like paradise. There were palm trees everywhere and the sun was shinning bright. We got into some taxis and headed for our 1 hour ride to Shineville Resort (Picture from a Balcony at the Resort on the first day when the sun was shinning.) However, we were not expecting the type of taxi drivers that exist in Jeju. We apparently were expecting the drivers to be somewhat like the ones in Seoul. We soon found out we were wrong to have expected that. These taxi drivers were completely crazy. It felt like we were going down some old country roads at like 100 miles an hour. So we all held on tight for the ride, and all the ones that came after that. Also, the cabs in Jeju were way more expensive then the ones in Seoul. In Seoul you can take a taxi for around 5000 won most of the time, but in Jeju we were paying around 40000 won every time we went somewhere.

The next day came and paradise no longer existed (to an extent). The weather was not so great. I don’t believe we saw the sun again until we went to the airport to fly back to Seoul (go figure). Ugh… I thought to myself. I only wanted to come here for the beaches. Well, so a few of us split up and went separate ways. I got stuck with Matt and Keith (crazy boys with the best ideas-yeah right!). And then there was Lucy. Lucy and I seem to always find ourselves with these two. So we told the taxi drive to take us to a beach – I don’t remember the name of it. So after the 45 minute cab ride and about $40 later, we arrived at “the beach.” It looked like sea world, but trashy. We started walking and came upon some penguins in a tank outside. Then we get to the edge of a cliff and Your browser may not support display of this image. see the ocean. (See picture at left.) But was we look far off in the distance we see the Hyatt (the place we wanted to stay but as students just could not afford it). So we finally manage to find the stairs down and begin to walk. The walk ended up being on a different kind of sand then we are used to at the Gulf Coast. Then we end up walking through what appears to be some type of jungle and finally found our way to the Hyatt (thinking there would be some sort of pool there). After the hour long hike, we found out that the Hyatt had a pool but it was not open yet. This is crazy I thought, because pools at hotels in America are always open.

Your browser may not support display of this image. After arriving at the Hyatt and finding that there was not a pool that we could swim in we decided to eat at a restaurant there. Then, we find out we have to spend more money. We each probably had about a 20000-25000 won lunch. So while we are spending all this money on this island we say why not go to the casino that was in the hotel. This was a bad idea for everyone but me. I won about 60000 won and everyone else lost what they put in the slots; however, they did not loose that much. But after walking out of the Hyatt, we explored the wooden, steep steps of the jungle walk around the Hyatt and saw some incredible views (see above), well worth the hike to the Hyatt.


So in conclusion, amongst all the crazy taxi drivers, the expensive taxi rides, and the long walks/hikes/climbs (whichever one you want to call it) we did not experience paradise there when we went. However, all 7 of us managed to have a great time. So in case anyone ever wants to go there, don’t go there expecting the prices of Seoul. Expect the prices that we would pay back in America to go to a tropical paradise.

Adrian Westbrook

Demilitarized Zone or DMZ

On Tuesday we got a chance to visit the DMZ or Demilitarized zone separating North from South Korea. Our tour guide U.S. military officers led us through a building called Freedom House. Freedom house was originally built so that South Korean and North Korean families could reunite for a short amount of time. However, it was never used for it's intended purpose because the North Korean government does not let it's citizens leave North Korea. I find this to be rather disturbing, just imagine if in the United States the government prevented persons from traveling not only out of the country but outside of their city or state. As someone who loves to travel, I could not imagine being restricted from doing so or even punished for something so simple. It made me think about all of the freedoms that I and I know many other Americans take for granted. Past the Freedom House, we were then escorted to the back of the building and into one of the barracks were the actual peace talks or cease fire between NK and SK occurred which eventually ended the Korean War. We took pictures with the South Korean soldiers who looked rather intimidating with their dark glasses and balled up fists. We were told that most of the soldiers are trained black belts in Tai Kwan Doe and were the glasses so that they do not have to make eye contact with North Korean soldiers. I stood on the wrong side of the room and was told I was now in North Korea (don't tell my mom! lol).

Next we visited the 3rd Tunnel which was discovered in 1978, only 52 KM from Seoul. The North Koreans claimed that they did not construct the tunnel, and claim South Koreans built the tunnel to invade NK. However, the tunnel flows the wrong way and could not possibly have been built by the South. After, they did admit that they in fact built the tunnel but not to invade SK but to mine coal, there is no coal in that area of Korea lol. I found that pretty interesting. We climbed down the tunnel which was wet, uncomfortable and the air was really tight. I was only in the tunnel for 30 -40 mins at the most but i could only imagine the people who had to build the tunnel and how uncomfortable and dangerous it was to be in this tunnel for hours and hours on end. The climb back up from the tunnel was most unbearable and i felt myself become short of breath. The walk up was worst than climbing the Great Wall lol, Professor Bowman had to wait with me while i sat for a minute or two lol.

Overall, the tour of the DMZ was an interesting experience. Being in South Korea, I have learned more than I ever knew about the Korean War. This war really is one of the most overlooked wars in American and World History. It's touching to see how the division of one nation even years after the seperation is still a painful topic for many Koreans, who wish to be reunited with the North. Just think what if the Northern and Southern states had never reunited in the US, we would be in a similary situation as what is the case in Korea.




Cecilia A. Ndounda

The Republic of Kimchi


Also pronounced gimchee, or kimchee is a dish native to Korea. It is one of many pickled dishes made with a variety of pickled seasonings. If you ever travel to South Korea, at almost every meal except breakfast will be accompanied by a serving of Kimchi. The main ingredients of Kimchi contain;

1. Chinese cabbage
2. ginger
3. onions
4. some seafood
6. saweujeot (in the Southern area, brined shrimp allowed to ferment)

However according to the Kimchi museum in Seoul, there areat least 187 or more varieties of Kimchi. The varieties are seperated by seasons and/or by regions. For example in the northern part of Korea, they use less salt and less red chili paste. In Seoul, the southern region the red chili color is distinct to this area and uses more salt and flavoring than the north. The northern parts also prepare more water kimchi's than the south. Before arriving in Korea, I had already known about Kimchi. When i was in the 7th grade one of our science projects was to make our very own Kimchi, and study how it fermented for a week. Let's just say our classroom did not smell like roses at the end of the experiment lol. However, i had forgotten how it tasted and decided to be open minded and have some Kimchi upon my arrival. Not being a fan of hot pepper and spicy foods, I did not like the hot taste of the cabbage mixed with the vinegarish fermented taste. Kimchi is definetly an acquired taste, you either like Kimchi or you don't. Although, i fall in the don't category, many people in our group loved Kimchi and tried a lot of different kinds.
Since Kimchi is so spicy, i wondered how it didn't hurt Korean people's digestive systems by eating Kimchi at least 2 times a day, 7 days a week. However, i learned that although very spicy, Kimchi provides 80% of our daily recommended vitamin C intake and other vitamins because of the mix of assorted vegetables. Kimchi is definetly the official food of Korea, even at the supermarket there are display after display of different kimchi's. So if you ever happen to visit Seoul, or eat at a Korean restaurent; ask for some Kimchi, you never know you may be surprised and love it as millions of Koreans do.


Cecilia A. Ndounda

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.


A long time ago my parents taught me to respect others no matter their how different they are. Many individuals these days are disrespected for their cultural differences, race, and faith or simply for just being unique. I’ve loved being in Korea because I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture. While here we went to the Korean Folk Village and participated in a traditional Tea Ceremony. The Koreans have truly been open and tried to share their culture with us, but not all of us appreciated nor respected the opportunity.

How do you respect a different culture? By being open minded, having an awareness of cultural differences, appreciating their existence and primarily by respecting and working to understanding lifestyles that are different from your own. While being here I have seen my offensive acts that have not respected the Korean culture and way of life.

For example, when you enter someone’s home in Korea you are supposed to remove your shoes and either wear house shoes or go barefooted. However, I’ve seen foreigners wearing their shoes inside others homes. Another rule is respecting your elders. Koreans as well as Haitians, Africans and other Caribbean and Asian countries believe that those older than us carry a huge bag of wisdom. Wisdom that we hope they will share with us before they pass. Under the influence of Confucianism, they are taught of the great importance of respecting our elders from the family structure. Under the doctrine of “Filial piety” and the principle of “Li” there is a call for devotion and obedience to and in reverence of our elders by younger members of the family and society. Helping an older person cross the street, not sitting in the elder and handicap section of the train or simply speaking to our elders with respect are all ways we can demonstrate admiration.

This taught is taught in Christianity as well. The bible clearly says in Ephesians 6: 1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” This tells us that by respecting our elders we will live healthier and longer lives. Why? I asked my father this once and one thing he said in particular still holds true. No matter what year or century we are in many obstacles and challenges cross the generational gap. Certain life lessons remain true and never change. That means our elders have been through some of the situations we find ourselves in everyday. Imagine someone being able to share with you and help you avoid a mistake they made. While we all are bound to make mistakes there are some we can avoid by listening to words of wisdom from our elders.

So in closing, we all need to stop and think about the way we respect our elders. Do you greet your elders when you enter a room? How do we monitor our language in an effort not to disrespect others? How do we treat others from different cultures? Do we automatically assume they are beneath us and having nothing of value to share?

”Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson—

Respectfully yours,

Karen Nazaire

Clark Miljush Blog 7-1-09

I went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace today. I have heard that the Korean language was derived from the Chinese but it also seemed like Korean architecture borrowed from the Chinese as well. The style of the buildings in this palace reminded me of the Forbidden City in Beijing. What really made the connection between the two civilizations was these statues that were placed along the roof lines. In both China and Korea the figures are larger towards the top of the roof and progressive get smaller as the roof slopes down. The figures are animals which look like bulls and dragons. At the temple I also visited the museum where I was able to view some of their ancient artwork which was fantastic. One of the best things about Korean museums and temples is the cost. I paid only three dollars to visit this piece of history in Korea.

Clark Miljush Blog 6-30-09

We went to the DMZ today. When we arrived it was obvious that the South Koreans are prepared for a potential invasion. One way they are prepared that I found interesting was the huge blocks of concrete supported over the roads. In the event of an invasion the supports would be destroyed by detonating charges and thus blocking North Korean vehicles from traveling into South Korea. The actual land between North and South Korea has become an uninhabited, beautiful area of nature.

The other neat adventure we went on in the DMZ was exploring the tunnels that North Korea had built to invade the south. The tunnels were dug through solid granite several hundred feet below the surface. There is actually four tunnels that were discovered since the mid seventies, some of them are actually large enough to drive vehicles through.

There was a building that was devoted to the history of the DMZ. I had never heard of the many confrontations between North and South Korean troops, and the US soldiers that were killed in the DMZ. Some of the incidents were sever enough that the two sides could have gone to war again, yet South Korea's desire to reunite peacefully instead of through war has shown through. I truly admire their commitment to peace and unity of the Korean peninsula.

Clark Miljush Blog 6-29-09

I didn't do much exploring of new areas today. I did however pick up my custom made Korean dress shirt. We had been fitted and ordered the shirts right before we left for China. The Korean men like to wear their cloths slightly tighter than Americans.

Clark Miljush Blog 6-20-09

We left Seoul Korea yesterday to visit Jeju Island. This experience has been fantastic. The island is very beautiful and well kept. I could describe the waterfalls I saw, the unique formation of rocks along the coast, or the lava caves but I would prefer to discuss my experience with 11 Korean's I randomly met on the beach here in Jeju. After a day of exploring I topped it off by going down to the beach and was just sitting watching the waves. As a group of Koreans walked by one said “hello, enjoy Korea”, and I responded “hello, and I am having wonderful time.” It sparked a conversation and they asked me to go swimming in the ocean with them. I happily agreed. As we swam we discussed where we were from, and where we are headed in life. After our swim I asked them the best way to get back to my hotel and then the Korean's offered to give me a ride back to my hotel which I accepted.

As we were driving along the group would all choose a song and sing. So as we clapped our hands, sang songs and talked, I learned an incredible amount about Korean culture. I learned they are passionate about soccer, they know more about American politics than most Americans. One crucial realization I had was is; in an informal environment the Koreans can simply let loose and have fun like Americans do

Clark Miljush Blog 6-19-09

Today we were guests of the largest Korean Law Firm, Kim and Chang's. We went to their main office and had a briefing on how they conduct their local and international practice. We met an attorney who was actually from America and he now lives in Korea and advises international corporations.

The firm then took us all to a very nice lunch at a place which was hidden up in the hills of Seoul. They had ordered a vegetarian lunch for all of us. I believe it was a seven course meal of all Korean food. I remember these three fried patties, one was actually fried kimchee.

After the meeting with the firm, a group of us made a dash for the airport for we were taking a short trip to beautiful Jeju Island. We actually missed our flight by a mere five minutes. However, the excellent airline, Asiana, put on the next flight for free. After arriving in

Clark Miljush Blog 6-18-09

Today we went out to a lively district of the city. The night life reminded me of Vegas, except the buildings were all much closer together, but the fun continued throughout the night. I learned a couple valuable lessons today. The first lesson was when I fell victim to cultural imperialism today. It was when I was attempting to place an order. In American you simply tell the bartender what you want, pay him and get your order. At this spot, and other places in Korea, you must walk to the front hostess and she takes your order and payment. After I figured out the process I remember thinking, well in America you don't have to waste time walking around..I quickly reminded myself that this is not America and that perhaps there was some underlying cultural reason for the system of ordering, paying and receiving.

The second lesson I learned was that introductions are incredibly important in Korean culture. There was three girls celebrating a birthday. They noticed we were observing them and so they invited us over to talk. We introduced ourselves before I knew it, they were offering us food, we were exchanging contact information and the we went dancing. At the end of the night the girls stated “now we are friends”. There has been several times where I have been talking to some Koreans and at the end of the conversation they stated something along the lines of us now being friends. I wonder if when Koreans establish this title of “friends” do the newcomers to the group get included in all everyday activities, like a brotherhood, or is it like America where usually the newcomers slowly get included into more and more of the activities of the group.

Clark Miljush Blog 6-16-09

As I exited my airplane and ventured into the Korean airport I mentally prepped myself for a bombardment of salesmen. I visualized how I would reject the sales pitches of time share offers and taxi drivers, which I have encountered in places from the Bahamas to Florida and Mexico. To my pleasant surprise I was met by some of the most polite people I have ever encountered. The taxi drivers offered their services but once I refused they didn't push harder, they simply said something along the lines of enjoy Korea, and I surely have.

One part of life here in Korea that I found interesting is the tipping your waiter or waitress. At home I usually groan at the idea of tipping a bad server, and I loath the debate of “should I leave 15 or 20% for good service?” Here in Korea there is no tipping. Ironically I now find myself, since I am not obligated to tip, wanting to leave a tip for the excellent service by these individuals. It may be that I am grateful of their tolerance of my inability to speak in Korean, or that I appreciate the menu having pictures so I can point to what I want to eat, but I think it is actually the entire experience of an excellent meal and a pleasant experience without the expectation of a tip. And so I find myself thinking a tip is the only way I can communicate that I have enjoyed myself more than I expected to. Yet it is considered offensive to leave a tip so I do not, instead I can only slightly bow and say “kamsahamnida” (thank you).

The transportation in Korea is also much different. As I prepared for traveling and sight seeing at home I never thought much to how I would get around. The streets are very narrow and parking a car would be ridiculous. Now that I actually think about it, I haven't seen a parking lot since I have been here. The subway is actually a great way to travel. It is well mapped and easy to navigate. I also learned something about Korea culture in the subway. They are very quiet people. I have been on the subway in Washington D.C. and the noise level is much higher there than in Korea. Conversation volume is kept to a minimum on the subway in Korea, that is if people are talking at all. However, there are times when Korean's are loud. For example, one night at a quiet restaurant we sat on the floor eating our dinner (traditional Korean seating), I nearly jumped off of the floor as a group of six or seven Koreans erupted in unison and shouted what I can only presume to be a traditional toast. And once the toast was over the people resumed a low volume of communication.

Although these things I have discussed (sales pressure, tipping and noise level) may not seem significant, combined with other aspects of Korean culture, they truly creates a unique lifestyle as a whole. I have only been here a few days and already have learned more than a guidebook could ever describe and I look forward to what I will discover tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A quiet force to be reckoned with

After riding the subways in Korea, I can confidently say that most Koreans have no problem pushing or shoving someone out of their way. While their demeanor at first seems quiet and low key, it doesn’t fully represent their other dominant abilities. Imagine standing on line waiting to place your order and having someone else jump in front of you right as you approach the counter. Or imagine trying to walk down the street but being blocked by couples or friends just holding hands. Walking down the streets in Korea is much hard then the busy streets of New York.

During class I learned that Korea was ranked number 14 in world nations. That’s surprisingly high for a country that should still be recovering from its battles with North Korea. From a ground level view, the economy in Korea looks good and the Korean businesses seem to be maintaining if not exceeding its growth and wealth. Many claim that the U.S. financial crisis has had an impact across the globe but I don’t see it here. Korea as well as many other nations may seem to be quietly or slowly growing. But with the current financial crisis in the U.S. , be assured they are moving faster than anticipated!

Quiet but a force to be reckoned with!

Karen Nazaire

Americans Abroad



Aren't lawyers supposed to obey rules?

Seriously, our group had a great time in Beijing, and we are enjoying our last week in Korea now--including a tour of the DMZ on Tuesday June 20. The weather and visibility were not so good for that, but it was still an electric experience to be right there at the border and to sense the tension.

Greg Bowman

Monday, June 29, 2009

The Wonderful World of China.......

What can I say about our trip to Beijing, China. Although we were only there for 3 1/2 days, it was the most exciting and exhilarating 3 1/2 days. Having always wanted to visit China, i was thrilled once we arrived at Beijing international airport. One thing i noticed which was different from Korea was, that in China our temperature was tested while we were on the plane, instead of when we got out. I am not sure if it's because China is just more cautions but that really took me off guard. Our first day in China we visited the Great Wall...all I can say is WOW! It was such a wonderful experience, even better than i ever imagined. Before visiting China, i had seen pictures of the Great Wall, however,nothing prepared me for how immense it really is. We climbed part of the wall and there was still miles and miles that i would never get to. First of all, when they say climbing the wall..it literally means climbing the wall. By the time me and me and my class mate got to one of the highest peaks, we were drenched in sweat and our legs were shaking. The steps not only are high but they are steep as well. I could only imagine this was the part of the wall that has been restored, i could never climb the parts which are not. That night we decided to visit Tienanmen square, we got there kinda late and ended up getting seperated from some of the group. However, maybe 30 mins later while trying to go towards Mao Zedong's tomb..we were told by the police to leave the square. It was kinda of weird but i was able to take some good pictures of the square which is huge and supposeldy can hold up to 1/2 a million people. The following day some of the groups seperated, me and my two other classmates decided to visit the Olympic stadium, Forbidden City and the temple of Heaven. The Olympic stadium was also located right next to the Cube which hosted the swimming events in the Olympics. It was surreal to be standing at the same place where the World's greatest athletes competed just a year ago. Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven were both very beautiful and majestic in their architectures. The Temple of Heaven especially was so beautiful and peaceful, the scenery near the temple was very breath taking. Overall, i had a great time in Beijing and would definitely visit again in a heartbeat. I heart Beijing!!!!

Cecilia A. Ndounda

My List of Things not to be “messed with” keeps getting longer . . .


Texas? Check. China? You better believe it.

We were told that trying to fully explore Beijing in only three full days would be nearly impossible. Turns out, “they” were right, but we tried hard anyways. If there is any one lesson to learn from China, it would be not to underestimate it in any way.

From the 100 degree heat we found on our arrival (at 8pm) to the intense smog and air pollution, and from the total lack of personal space the culture warmly embraces (pun intended) to the People’s Republic’s odd love of Chairman Mao Zedong—China is an “in your face,” pushy, and, after hours of climbing the Great Wall and trudging through ancient palaces, an exhausting nation. I loved every minute.

We started the trip at the Great Wall. Led by our fearless leader Professor Bowman (read: Greg “Thor” Bowman), we woke up early and quickly learned the three hours we allotted to explore at the site was not long enough to see the entire Wall. My touristy (it’s a word, look it up) American genes kicked in full-blast, and I was quickly taking pictures of every mountain top, wall fragment, oddly shaped rock, or attractive Bulgarian woman that came my way. Our group eventually split into smaller groups, and I ended up making most of the climb with Adrian “The Great Wall should sell cigarettes” Westbrook. We had a great time, although my ego took a huge hit when our many photo-ops started allowing people several times our age to pass us. But, hey, I took some great pictures and (eventually) completed the trek to the top.

Although we saw several traditional and ancient Chinese palaces, my other favorite site was Tiananmen Square. It is really an odd feeling to stand in a place where so many seeking a government reform to democracy have protested. Overlooking the entire square is Chairman Mao’s portrait—an enduring testament to communism and the government’s hard-line rule of all 1.3 billion Chinese citizens?). Twice daily his body is raised from a refrigerated coffin for a public viewing (can you imagine if we did that sort of thing with our presidents?). Seven of us tried to join the incredibly long line (the line for Space Mountain has nothing on this), but the guards found reasons to kick us out (wearing sandals, carrying bags, etc). Even the mood on the square feels tense—the many guards are constantly watching for signs of protest or unrest.

The giant Mao photo and overall spectacle (you better believe his image is all over plaques, watches, party platform books, etc for souvenir purchase) greatly impressed on me how much we Americans take for granted the peaceful transfer of government power in the United States. On January 20 George Bush quietly and gracefully boarded a helicopter and left D.C. for Texas. No riots, no drama, no unrest in the slightest. Despite the millions of voters who cast their ballots for another candidate, the entire nation warmly greeted a new leader. No one would suggest we post W’s portrait all over the National Mall as a nostalgic reminder of his command. The Chinese are not so lucky—this one man’s presence is everywhere. He and the modern day remains of his party are inescapable (the government even went so far as to block access to both Twitter and Facebook during the Tiananmen Square twentieth anniversary).

And now a word on (authentic) Chinese food. . .

Before I write a novel on the pitfalls of communism above, I’ll move along. I’m a huge fan of trying new foods. The more exotic the dish, the better (at least initially) in my book. Throughout Japan and Seoul, this mantra worked surprisingly well. One night we even played “food roulette” with a menu written only in Hangul with no corresponding pictures (I got the equivalent of a vegetable omelet, Keith got fried chicken liver, and Juan got the hottest chicken he had ever eaten).

So, my American appetite and I decide to take on China. Bad idea. The second night’s dinner consisted of an appetizer of jelly fish heads served cold, pork lung served extra spicy, and fried chicken with peppers as an entrée. Yes, I voluntarily chose those meals. Failure, failure, failure. The jelly fish head tasted like cold gristle in soy sauce while the fried chicken dish looked like the entire chicken was placed in a blender for chopping—different sized bone fragments made it intolerable (including one piece shaped like a beak, needless to say I psyched myself out).

Nothing, however, compares to the next day’s lunch. Following dinner (or lack thereof) from the night before, I decided to go the safe route for lunch and order pork. I’m thinking to myself, “Pork is a Chinese culinary staple—it has to be good, right?” Wrong. Although it had a few chunks of meat, it was mostly boiled skin. Think pork rind soup. Bleh. I’ll stick to my favorite Mississippi all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets in the future. Lesson learned.


Matt Harris

Blog Post 6.16.2009

Fresh off a visit from three U.S. Army attorneys, and in my attempt at a thematic approach to blogging, I thought a post about South Korea and its surging growth following the Cold War would be appropriate.

Unfortunately, it seems like the Korean War is one of America’s least remembered war. While it symbolizes a proxy to the Cold War, much like the Vietnam War, its significance is seemingly less celebrated by Americans than the latter “proxy” war. Personally, I think it’s interesting to know the effects that these “proxy wars” had on the host nation, if you will. The South Koreans apparently lost 25 percent of their population in the affair, and likely much of its infrastructure, architecture and buildings were lost in the conflict. And since the war isn’t technically over, the South Koreans also stand to lose substantially more. However, this seems like the proper place to note that the South Koreans have “bounced back” with gusto.The amount you can do with a cell phone is amazing and South Korea seems to be firing the first shots continually in the “digital revolution.” This all done within miles of an outwardly-agressive communist regime. And with what I like to call the “World is Flat” phenomenon, in the future, if hostilities were to erupt, the world itself also stands to lose a strong – and stable - trading partner.

I think it’s also interesting to note the emblematic and stark economic prosperity that South Korea has benefited from after the end of the Cold War. It is not unlike that of Argentina (despite its economic collapse) or India, which both likely benefited from the end of this passive conflict, even though neither was near a warzone during the Cold War. Unlike Argentina or India, however, South Korea has already made the significant jump into the digital age and also seems to have a substantial industrial sector, which is something that should be mentioned when discussing the modern developing nations. In total, the stability proffered by trade relations and provided by the end of the Cold War was something that likely also benefited South Korea as well.

As a final point, it’s worth noting that South Korea seems to have benefited politically as well during this period, a juxtaposition that likely is more related than not. In 1987, they had what has been called their first Democratic election since 1971, and this ushered in what the modern world knows as South Korea.

On a personal note, one of our housemates has a grandfather who fought in the Korean War and said that only recently has he begun talking about it. In contrast, I’m sure my own grandfather had some salient and charged things to say about the war, being a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, but he despised talking about his time in the armed forces.

Later in the week we will be visiting the Korean War Memorial, so that will provide some nice fodder for future blog posts and I will reserve another day’s post for the influence of North Korea and its own aggressive-styled diplomacy.

Chris Gilfillan


Blog 6.21.2009.

After a hectic day that included rushing to planes, running up the quarter-mile hill of Sookmyung, we woke up to our first day on Jeju-do, the island furtherest south in South Korea and one which was billed as South Korea’s tropical paradise.

One of the main attractions of Jeju arethe domant volcanos located on the island. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site long ago, the largest of the volcanoes is Mt. Halla or Hallasan. And being a moderate hiker – and one which will not miss the opportunity when approached with it – I found myself at the foot of a 9.6 kilometer mountain with an elevation change of nearly 1000 kilomters. According to Frommer’s Guide to South Korea, Mt. Halla – not to be confused with Val Hala – rises 1,950 meters in the air, is the highest peak in South Korea and, because of the clouds, is like a woman, constantly hiding her face. Looking at the topography of the mountain, and hiking the Sonpanak Trail, it was like I went from a subtropical climate to an arctic climate, all in one day’s hike.

Not having much sleep, I was a bit delirious – and probably a lot forgetful – when I started the climb. I bought a raincoat (the cloud cover made it seem like it was raining) and some water for the trip. The plastic from the raincoat insulated the amount of heat from perspiration, and I’m sure by the time I got to the top I reaked of sweat and mud.

I suppose I should start with the Quentin Tarantino quote: “These are your mountain climbing days.” I think that’s relatively poignant. And climbing the mountain, it seemed highly appropriate. Secondarily, I found out that South Koreans are much faster going down than they are going up. While going up through the mountain – absent-mindedly forgetting my camera batteries – I passed people left and right. I wasn’t rushing, but I wanted to make good pace. However, by making such good pace, I scurried right by the food counter, and when I got to the top, I noticed everyone else was eating. Jealous, I looked around on top and found several bathrooms, but alas, no food.

Famished, I took a nap at the top. And the mountain lived up to its precocious and conservative nature – there was a cloud that continually covered the beautiful crater lake that was created by the remaining volcano. Feeling close to normal, but still very hungry, I stomped back down the mountain – making sure to cheer some of the other hikers on. I imagined myself, an hour ago, climbing there, tugging on the handrails to use my arms for climbing. There was a remarkable number of South Koreans climbing, but I also saw two Americans who were very close to the summit – they seemed relieved to know that they were very close, and I’m sure they planned better than I had and packed a lunch.

Sucking up the hunger, I felt my legs beginning to waver in strength around one kilomter down the mountain, I started paying attention to the emergency location signs – never a good sign. By Emergency Sign 38 (there were 43) I wanted to rest again, and found a grassy knoll off the beaten path. So I jumped off the trail, rested my head on a soft patch of a grass and passed out for about an hour.

When I woke up around 1 p.m. I knew I needed to eat. Luckily – like a prayer answered – there was an UNESCO tourist information booth that sold Cup of Noodles and Moon Pies. One cup and four moon pies later, I was back on my way – feeling kind of satisfied, and not nearly as war-torn. On ordering my fourth moon pie, though, I did receive it with a raised eyebrow and a furrowed brow from the salesman – like he was silently laughing at the future that lay in store for me.

I made it back down the mountain at a much slower pace than the well-packed Koreans, though. I happened to be wearing a pair of Sperry’s for the climb, which would be like bringing a samurai sword to a gunfight or like repeling K2 with a string of dental floss – things that were possible but only with some help from Maguyver.

With about one kilometer to go down the mountain, I finally knew what that Moon Pie salesman was laughing at – I had the worst case of heartburn in my life. But I trudged through, and saw a few deer grazing prior to leaving the jungle portion of my journey.

To say the least, after that long climb, I could die without seeing another stone staircase. But, like Tarantino said, these are my mountain climbing days – and really, the only way up is to climb.

-Christopher L. Gilfillan

China

With a passive whir the escalators in the Seoul Airport welcomed us back. After five days in China, I think it should be noted the differences we all noted between the Chinese and the Korean people – and as noted earlier, one of the starkest examples is the noise. China was loud, vibrant and piercing. South Korea is quiet, colorful and sympathetic. So, it is relatively nice to be back in Seoul, so that your ears aren’t so full.

Dealing with the salesman at the Pearl Market also presented another change. The Chinese there, like in many markets, were pushy and moderately obnoxious. The Koreans, even the ones attempting to sell something to a trapped tourist on Jeju Island or at a Korean Folk Village, were accepting and polite about the haggling and bargaining process. Enjoying the bargaining process myself, I better understood what the Chinese were after, but I felt better about my purchases in Korea. The adjective most used on this trip to describe the Chinese has been aggressive, and the salespeople were no different.

Finally, with a wink and a nod to Cecilia, Beijing is quite dirty and the air cannot possibly be healthy. In fact, as this blogger notes : http://www.pyongyangsquare.com/beijingair/, the air quality in Beijing is in fact the worst in the world – by a landslide. We experienced the poor air and physically we could tell the difference in our lungs when we arrived back in Seoul. There was also a real grit to everything in China, which was moderately disconcerting. On the other hand, the Koreans seem to be very clean – despite never being able to find a trash can, the streets are free from litter and on the whole highly pleasant to walk on.

Chris Gilfillan

6.29.2009

A Chinese Superstar

During our stay in China I noticed numerous Chinese citizens taking my picture. Some would run over laughing and giggling begging for a picture. Others would try and take my picture without my noticing. At first I felt like a superstar, I felt like Oprah! But then it started to get overwhelming and sometimes I felt annoyed. I then wondered how Oprah gets through an amusement park without being harassed for photos and autographs. I’m not sure what she does but all I could do is Run, Run, Run!

Finally towards the end of our trip, I was able to ask a young Chinese male why everyone wanted to take my picture. His answer was simple and what I had hoped for: We seldom see Blacks in China. I never stopped to think about it and then realized that not all parts of the World are like America or other nations that have American troops. There last interaction with the many flavors of the World was probably the Olympics?

So, I went to China and I was a Superstar!! An ordinary American girl became extraordinary, at least for four days!!!


Karen Nazaire

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Where are the Parents of the Little Korean Children?

Since I have been in South Korea, I have noticed that the children run free. This really disturbed me. I first noticed it when we were traveling to the Traditional Folk Village. As we were on the bus going through a town I saw a little around the age of 8 running down the street with a cell phone in hand. I thought to myself, where are the parents? That day, I hoped to that I would not have to witness this again. However, since this day, I have noticed this several times in various places.

The reason that this disturbs me a lot is that I am an aunt of a 7 year old little girl. I know that if she was to run down the street or runs away from me in a store, I would fret that something might have happened to her.

Another day I observed this again when I was reading one morning before class at the local Starbucks. I was just glancing at all the Koreans on their morning routines. Then all of a sudden I see several little children running around by themselves. This time, even more disturbing than the first occasion was that these two children could not have been more than 5.

Then again, one day I noticed a mother around a child, but the mother did not seem to care about what her child was doing – the little girl of about 3 was just wondering around while the mother shopped.

After these few occasions and several others not mentioned, I wondered if this was a cultural thing. In the states this just does not happen. I don’t think that a single parent could let their child under the age of 10 run around busy, crowded streets alone. In the states all you have to do is go to Wal-Mart and observe what happens to a child if he/she were to run off. You would see the child get a spanking or told not to go off again.

Here in Korea its just away of life I am guessing. But to me I just don’t get it – it makes no sense to me. In Korea, a lot of the population walks, so maybe this is the reasoning behind letting little children roam the streets by themselves with only a cell phone in hand. I mean, other than going to school (which is what I assume or hope that they are doing) what else could these children be doing out? Are they shopping for themselves, feeding themselves? What is the reasoning behind this crazy way of teaching children to be independent? Or should we American’s be asking the Korean’s what they are doing to trust their children like this, because clearly we may be doing something wrong in the states. Or is our country more corrupt then Korea, so that the Koreans can trust their children in the public without supervision? These questions I hope to have figured out before I leave. However, no matter if it is that their way of teaching their children a way of life by letting children under 10 run around alone will continue to disturb me.

Adrian Westbrook

Communication is key

I was taken back by how accommodating Seoul is as a whole to foreigners. This is my first time traveling abroad I found it strange that signs outside of the city were in English. It was expected to me that the airport would have information because of tourist, but as I travel the streets of Seoul I am able to read street signs and buildings although majority of the population does not know English and cannot assist you. I never understood what it was like to be able to function at a minimal level because there is a communication barrier. I find myself having a difficult time to order food because I can’t read the menu or ask a question because there is no picture. I am unable to ask for directions because I can’t communicate where I am going. It was scary but rewarding at the same time to see how I am able adjusts to situation that I am faced with at that time. Now I am more sympathetic and appreciative to foreigners and the issues they face in America.

Niecey Napier

Healthy living


How hard is it to live a healthy lifestyle? In American we may think it is difficult but I think the Koreans would have a different perspective. Since I have been here I have notice the food has more portions of vegetables then meat; they serve unsweetened tea or water with every meal, if soda is ordered there are no refills; the use of seasoning is modest; and the sweets have very modest sugar in them. Additionally, you are able to get your daily workout from all of the walking you do. The terrain is very mountainous so my walks have been a rollercoaster literally. There are lots of stairs to climb when going or coming from anywhere, I have seen very few places on ground level. Furthermore, I have observed it is much faster to walk then it would be to drive or catch a cab. I have also seen leaner individuals here and I know why. Just think about what we are asked and advised to do by nutritionist and health care providers. Eat better and exercise the two things I think Koreans have embraced since childhood and should I say do well.

Niecey Napier

Stepping into the Legal system Korean style


Prior to this year the process for becoming an attorney in Korea was vastly different then what is required in the US. Individuals interest in a legal degree were required to register for a standardized examination in which only the top 1000 tester would receive a legal degree and be able to practice as either a lawyer or judge immediately. Surprisingly, to take the exam you did not have to have what we consider an undergraduate degree. The examination was open to any individual that desired to test; however, some setbacks to that system they discovered were the number of people that were admitted to practice against the population of the city. Additionally, many individuals would take the exam for years before they would above that 1,000 mark and some still have not got there although they had been trying for years. It was not until this year they have changed the process of how one can obtain a law degree. The Koreans have now adopted the American style of legal education. All candidates will now be required to get there undergraduate degree and then attend law school for an additional three years. Interesting problems that may arise is will this new system benefit the wealthy only. There is speculation that poor and middle class citizens will not be able to afford the extra three years of education especially when law school is around $58,000 a semester. It is interesting to see what will become of the new system in how it will affect the job market and individual who are planning to purse a legal career.


Niecey Napier

A day at the Constitutional Court of Korea

Today we visited the Constitutional Court of Korea and it was such a great experience. Once we arrived at the Constitutional Court we were greeted by one of the law clerks. We then watched a short movie on the history and creation of the constitutional court in Korea. It was amazing to see that having been created only a short while ago, 21 years to be exact..the court has accomplished so much in such a short time. Before the creation of the constitutional court in 1988, the idea of a law being unconstitutional was unheard of in Korea.


The constitutional court's main role is to protect the constitution, and the basic human rights of the people. We then had a short presentation from Sunjin Kim, who was a clerk to Justice Goldstone at the Constitutional Court in South Africa and now a clerk at the Korean Constitutional Court for Justice. Mr. Kim explained the difference between court here and in the United States.














One interesting fact is that the Constitutional court of Korea has the ability to dissolve a political party. I thought that was pretty interesting, considering that in the United States, people would be in uproar if the government had the ability to dissolve either the GOP or Democratic party.














The tour then ended with a visit of the Constitutional Court library, which included eastern and western influenced textbook. They even had my civil procedure book and an Emmanual civil procedure supplement. Overall, it was an amazing experience and was very informative.
















Cecilia A. Ndounda

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

One week down

Our group just finished its first week in Seoul. Can't believe how fast the time is going! It has really been a lot of fun. The students seem
to be acclimating well, and many of them took a trip this weekend to Jeju Island, a volcanic island off South Korea's south coast. They are on an island with lovely beaches, and I am sitting in my room in Seoul, blogging. Says something about my priorities, I suppose . . . .
Anyway, here are some of the highlights from our trip so far, as well as a few pictures.
1. NANTA Performance. "NANTA" is a popular theater show here in Seoul. Sort of like Blue Map Group, but with knives. Very funny, and very cool.














2. Korean Folk Village. This is an outdoor cultural center near Seoul on about 240 acres of land with recreated traditional villages, as well as crafts and shrines. Really beautiful, and a good way to start the trip.














3. The Korean War Memorial. As I note on Facebook, the war memorial might be more appropriately called the "Korean Peace Memorial." It memorializes the conflict itself, but even more so it expresses a deep desire for reunification and reconciliation with the North.


















4. Korean Food. Different and completely superb. A little sense of adventure yields some surprisingly delicious discoveries. Food and water in Seoul, by the way, are completely safe.
5. Korean Tea Ceremony. Our host university had a traditional tea ceremony for us, where we learned about the nuances of making and serving tea. (Upshot: I have been doing it ALL wrong for years now.) Most of us got to dress up in traditional Korean garb for the occasion.


















6. Visit to Kim & Chang. This is Korea's largest law firm, and they were gracious enough to host a visit by our group. We learned a lot from some excellent attorneys there, and had the best vegetarian Korean lunch I have ever had.














This next week is chock-full of activities too. On Monday 6/22 we visit the Korean Constitutional Court. On Tuesday we have a briefing at the U.S. Embassy. And on Wednesday we all fly to Beijing, China for a 4-day visit. All that, plus classes too! Guess I will sleep when I get home . . . .
If you want, you can see more of my photos and commentary on my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/gregorybowman?ref=profile. Lots of stuff there, so send me a friend request. No Twitter feeds though--have to draw the line somewhere!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Tipping the scale not a major Issue in South Korea


Ever wondered why most Korean’s are small and petite? Ever wonder how they can consume so much food and not gain any weight well the answer is simple. They walk, walk and walk some more. When we first arrived in Korea, we walked ten blocks to the shuttle bus, and then walked up two flights of stairs to the elevator before arriving at our dorm located at Sookmyung Women's University in downtown Seoul.

So I thought that was pretty bad! But I was wrong….Later that night we would hike it down four flights of stairs plus one hill and then walk about half a mile to eat dinner. After a very filling dinner we would once again walk half a mile, climb a hill and walk up four flights of stairs back to the dorm…only to realize I was hungry again. What happened to the Meat Skewers I just ate? By the time I had made it home half the calories in my meal had been walked off!

As an American, I must say turning 18 and getting my first car didn’t help; especially when it concerns my physical health. Now when I’m hungry I hop in my car and drive to dinner. When we get to the restaurant or mall we try to park as close as possible to the door. We eat heavy meals and most of us don’t burn the amount of calories we need to stay in shape.

So, the lesson I have learned so far is to put my keys down and walk… While I probably won’t walk up too many hills when I get back to Jackson, Ms; I will make an effort to burn less gas and walk!

Karen Nazaire

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Pure Quiet Bliss


Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past fourteen years, I have had the chance to travel to San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York City. However, Seoul although the 11th largest city in the world is somewhat different, for example; one night upon arriving in Seoul…I was standing on our balcony around 1 am and to my surprise it was quiet.


Now if any of you have traveled to any of the cities I have mentioned above especially NYC, around 1am you are likely to hear the sounds of; 1.)Ambulance 2.) Police sirens 3.) Cars honking or just loud people. I was surprised that a city of about 24.2 million people could be this quiet. I believe it’s a cultural thing because even on the subway no one really spoke to each other. If they did speak to each other or talk on the phone they whispered, so as to be respectful to the people near them.


Now where I come from on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). There are times when you can hear people’s loud ipods or someone singing LOUDLY lol. It was refreshing and peaceful to stand on that balcony in pure quiet bliss in the middle of one of the largest city’s.


Cecilia Ndounda