Video message from some of the GSE team.
Thought on the first week in Korea
It has been a busy but wonderful time in Korea. We saw food plants, toured Universities, been the guests of two city governments, stayed with two different families, been in the newspaper once, and made many lifetime friends.
First off, thanks again from everyone at Hutchison. It is impossible to convey the debt of my gratitude that you have allowed me to have this wonderful experience. To all of my fellow faculty members, you are awesome. To Ms. Simmons, who is subbing for me and taking care of my girls back in Memphis. You are awesome!!!!!!
The people of South Korea and the Rotary Club members have been the quintessential hosts. They have shown us their cities of Jeonju and Gusan City and the wonderful things and people in their cities. They do they culture and history great service.
There is no way to some up the week with any accuracy so here are just a few thoughts.
The people of Korea are true to their Confucian history and culture. They are hardworking, gracious, and generous. Although I have been lucky enough to travel and study in Asia twice in the last two years this is the first time I have stayed with families in their homes. It is truly the only way to learn the culture and the people. It is difficult to communicate at times but between hand gestures, some photos, and a decent Korea/English dictionary you can get a lot done. You a have to listen carefully and really observe the people in order to communicate with them!! The home stays have been awesome!
The food is wonderful. Any thoughts of losing weight on this trip are gone for good. The Rotary people feed us every hour it seems. We have eaten Korean BBQ, all kinds of meats and vegetables, and even a few live things here and there. Sure they are things that I miss in the US, SANDWICHES!!!!!!!!!, but you get to try so many other things it is well worth the wait.
To my 8th graders, I miss you all. I KNOW you are behaving and getting work done. Let me say this. You need spend some time studying and/or living in another country. If you do not; your education will not be complete. I truly mean this. You learn a lot about another country sure but I am always amazed how much you learn about yourself when you leave your comfort zone. It does not matter what your major is or where you want to study. Just do it!
This week you will be getting into the heart of the North Korea conflict this week. Study hard, ask questions! Pay attention to this blog, there will be opportunities to earn some Korean gifts and prizes!!!!!!
Today is our first “day off”. I am writing this from a coffee shop in Gusan City. All of us are making calls home, updating journals and blogs, and just relaxing. It is so nice. Korea has Wi-Fi everywhere but most homes have broadband that is fast but in order to log on my keyboard has to type in Korean, this I don’t have. I would say that 90% of my blog entries and face book posts have been done with my iPhone in “airplane” mode. I’m not being charged for international calls and I can use the Wi-Fi to make calls using the Skype app. It’s been very cool!
I have to run, getting more…, you guessed it, coffee!!!
Have fun, see you soon,
Mr. Steph
2 comments:
Is the Korean language similar too Chinese where one word means a lot of different things when it is pronounced differently?
Lizzy, that's awesome that you remeber that about Chinese!!!! It is not the same. Korea has a alphabet that is known as Hangul. It's very different. We have eaten at two Chinese resteraunts and I was able to say Hello, Thank You, and goodbye in Chinese.
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