I know its been a long time since my last update, but I promise it'll be worth it! I've had a pretty busy February starting off with..
Yonsei Language Classes
So the main purpose of my stay in Seoul was to take the 3 week Korean Language Course at Yonsei University. I placed into level 4 of 6. Which is the level right before things get real... Haha. That being said, I had a ton of fun and learned a lot. Specifically, my writing skills got a lot better as I wrote and re-wrote a diary every day of the program. I hope to keep that up this semester, but I need to find somebody who will graciously and understandingly check my writing... I absolutely loved everybody in our class, and it was a fun atmosphere. I was impressed by the Japanese, Chinese, Armenian students who really wanted to learn Korean and retain it for their futures. I thought the class would be full of Korean-(insert country of immigration here)s but I was wrong. I thought that if they are trying so hard, so should I. It was a huge motivating factor for me.
One thing I realized is that it is quite difficult to have the teacher and student mentalities at the same time. I want to spend time learning Korean during the semester, but I know that it will be very difficult to follow two trails at once. Since learning won't be my number one priority, I wonder how much I will be able to gain from it... Nevertheless, I am happy with my progress! It was just too short.
Concert & Language Partner
So one of the perks of the Yonsei program is that they facilitate a Language Exchange. My language partner, M, was great! We took turns teaching each other from articles that we selected to go over. I learned a lot of good vocabulary and felt very accomplished to go over new articles and claim full comprehension. I chose articles about Party Squabbles over the FTA and North Korean food follies. It seemed like a very fast paced learning schedule, and it something I would like to continue if I get to live in Seoul. It also made me painfully aware of how ill equipped I am to have an academic conversation in Korean..
Anyway, M invited us to an open mic night at a local establishment. I invited our FB friends along and we got to enjoy an authentic, Korean, college music night. A lot of bands played, some more impressive than others. I enjoyed it as I got to see a sphere of Korean life that I had never encountered before. I didn't know that they even enjoyed rock music, but it turns out they do. I was really grateful for the invite and I hope to see it again!
Barista Academy
So a few of my classmates and my language partner went to a Barista Academy to do latte art. We also learned some stuff about coffee, but mostly for the latte art. Apparently, I am a sub-par poorer, but an excellent shark drawer :)
Random Photo Sets
As my friend E pointed out, I have a 'degree' from 2/3 SKY universities. Seoul National, I'm coming for you.
Back in BUSINESS
Coming back from Seoul, I felt like I was travelling back in time. The skyscrapers, the metro, the cars, the people all slowly melted away into the flat rice fields of the Jeonbuk province. I am glad to be back, but it was reverse culture shock all over again. I really wondered if I had really stayed in the same country...
So... school started again this past Friday. The school ran a couple misdirection plays to really get me back in the spirit of things. First of all, the bus that came all last semester to pick me up has stopped running. I was informed by a student while waiting for said bus. I ended up taking a city bus with about 20 of my students. Finally, about 15 minutes behind schedule, I showed up at school and found my desk and computer were gone! Then I attended our entrance ceremony, graded some journals (they never end), and peaced out. Though I was a bit nervous, it seemed like the whole school was on edge a bit. Now, all settled in, I am looking forward to beginning this new semester.
I fear I had initially was complacency. I am afraid that I won't try as hard as I did first semester. However, seeing the students, especially my returning first year now second year students, put those fears to rest. Can't quit on the team. They are depending on me
P.S. I still have no idea what my teaching schedule looks like :) Gotta roll with the punches am I right? Also, got to video chat with my homies in the states. That was fun too :)
Yonsei Language Classes
So the main purpose of my stay in Seoul was to take the 3 week Korean Language Course at Yonsei University. I placed into level 4 of 6. Which is the level right before things get real... Haha. That being said, I had a ton of fun and learned a lot. Specifically, my writing skills got a lot better as I wrote and re-wrote a diary every day of the program. I hope to keep that up this semester, but I need to find somebody who will graciously and understandingly check my writing... I absolutely loved everybody in our class, and it was a fun atmosphere. I was impressed by the Japanese, Chinese, Armenian students who really wanted to learn Korean and retain it for their futures. I thought the class would be full of Korean-(insert country of immigration here)s but I was wrong. I thought that if they are trying so hard, so should I. It was a huge motivating factor for me.
One thing I realized is that it is quite difficult to have the teacher and student mentalities at the same time. I want to spend time learning Korean during the semester, but I know that it will be very difficult to follow two trails at once. Since learning won't be my number one priority, I wonder how much I will be able to gain from it... Nevertheless, I am happy with my progress! It was just too short.
Directions to school: A series
Go out and make a right to the bus stop
Wait for bus 7011
Get off at the Ewha Station stop
Go past the mall
Down this road
Enter Ewha
The cool, suave ECC
Cool campus, but past this stuff
Pass this hospital
Up this hill
Go in this building
Go in this classroom
Write a name tag
Sit down
Act weird
Receive diploma
End of Series
A great sandwich shop: LORD SANDWICH
Wonderful friends moving too much!
Our first class photo!
Concert & Language Partner
So one of the perks of the Yonsei program is that they facilitate a Language Exchange. My language partner, M, was great! We took turns teaching each other from articles that we selected to go over. I learned a lot of good vocabulary and felt very accomplished to go over new articles and claim full comprehension. I chose articles about Party Squabbles over the FTA and North Korean food follies. It seemed like a very fast paced learning schedule, and it something I would like to continue if I get to live in Seoul. It also made me painfully aware of how ill equipped I am to have an academic conversation in Korean..
Anyway, M invited us to an open mic night at a local establishment. I invited our FB friends along and we got to enjoy an authentic, Korean, college music night. A lot of bands played, some more impressive than others. I enjoyed it as I got to see a sphere of Korean life that I had never encountered before. I didn't know that they even enjoyed rock music, but it turns out they do. I was really grateful for the invite and I hope to see it again!
I wannabe a ROCK STAR
Get with the program
M in the background
Friends post concert!
Barista Academy
So a few of my classmates and my language partner went to a Barista Academy to do latte art. We also learned some stuff about coffee, but mostly for the latte art. Apparently, I am a sub-par poorer, but an excellent shark drawer :)
Oh me? I'm just a shy, sensitive guy...
Oh no! My face is too large!
Tools of the trade
My first hand drip
A having the time of her LIFE
The demo
The demo 2
CALM DOWN AND HOLD UR EXCITEMENT A
Act like there is the answer to life's problems in this espresso machine...
Le 'art de moi
Bon jour~
SHARK (great white obviously)
Shark on Shark action
Octopus, my 2nd favorite sea animal
Le' totale
A group photo after the class
As my friend E pointed out, I have a 'degree' from 2/3 SKY universities. Seoul National, I'm coming for you.
8 finger blast!
el bombo
Back in BUSINESS
Coming back from Seoul, I felt like I was travelling back in time. The skyscrapers, the metro, the cars, the people all slowly melted away into the flat rice fields of the Jeonbuk province. I am glad to be back, but it was reverse culture shock all over again. I really wondered if I had really stayed in the same country...
So... school started again this past Friday. The school ran a couple misdirection plays to really get me back in the spirit of things. First of all, the bus that came all last semester to pick me up has stopped running. I was informed by a student while waiting for said bus. I ended up taking a city bus with about 20 of my students. Finally, about 15 minutes behind schedule, I showed up at school and found my desk and computer were gone! Then I attended our entrance ceremony, graded some journals (they never end), and peaced out. Though I was a bit nervous, it seemed like the whole school was on edge a bit. Now, all settled in, I am looking forward to beginning this new semester.
I fear I had initially was complacency. I am afraid that I won't try as hard as I did first semester. However, seeing the students, especially my returning first year now second year students, put those fears to rest. Can't quit on the team. They are depending on me
P.S. I still have no idea what my teaching schedule looks like :) Gotta roll with the punches am I right? Also, got to video chat with my homies in the states. That was fun too :)
