Fin

Don't take this the wrong way. No posts between about July 16 until now, a week after we returned from Korea? I won't plead a busy life; I've had ample time to squeeze in a few entries. I won't plead computer problems -even though my keyboard died- I did have access to a computer. I won't plead lack of things to write about. In fact, quite the opposite. I will, however, get down on my knees in explanation, begging you to forgive me for not writing, pleading the only thing I can: It was too AWEsome! We did so much, not just in the last part, but all days, every week! It was a maelstrom of activity and experiencing and socializing and quite frankly, I didn't write because what I could be doing in comparison to writing was so much more interesting! There was never any lack of things to do:TaeKwonDo was a good one, as you can see from Alan and I sweating it out. And remember the little photobooths in the mall, where you can take photos of you and friends and print them out? Koreans love cutesy, this was our take on their photobooths-on-steroids: We did a cooking class, we visited sooo many temples and museums, we sang karaoke (even though in my house I'm not allowed to sing, I was applauded when I scored a 96% on Hey Ya; I was so happy), we went to the public baths, we went to the DMZ, we just did so many things! As I said in my previous post, it's almost as if University of Ulsan or Korean government in general wants us to bring back a favorable impression, and tell all. Well, they are the government, I'd better do as they say.

The AUM/Ulsan experience was incredible. I expected to go to Korea to learn about the culture, but I did not expect t ogo and fins so many new friends, and to have so much fun experiencing Korea with these friends. I have made lifetime amigos that I will not only cherish, but can possibly use in the future for networking opportunities. Where else do you get to meet peers from around the world that all have the same goal as you: to grow, and learn, and succeed? I have contacts now in Beijing, in Morocco, in the Hunan province, in Thailand, in Regina. Of course, with my roommate JaeEum, I'll always have a place to stay in Korea.

The farewell dinner was delicious, but bittersweet. I really only think about 10% of us were homesick enough to want to leave, the rest of us wanted to keep the Ulsan experience going. However, this was not to be. Everyone left in about a 3-day period, starting with my good friend Aimee Tang from Thailand. She came into my room at 7am, gave me a hug, and was gone: that started the 3-day trial of hugs and goodbyes, of tears and gifts. We AUMers were some of the last to go, so we only had the Canadians and Koreans to see us off to the airport. After long goodbyes, we turned in our keys, finally piled into the cars and began our journey home. I know Alan and I could have stayed there for at least another month, minimum. He's planning on learning some more Korean and going back there, perhaps to even work. I do plan on visiting again, and again- and if I ever want to work there, I hear Hyundai's hiring native English speakers; at least, that's what the company representative said. ;-) I will return. I think most everbody that was in the program will feel compelled to return at some point in their lives. . . Korea was just too amazing. I can truly say that this experience broadened my horizons and my mentality. An added plus :-) I brought back a little souvenir. My roommate/new bf Jamie is going to AU this year, so I will get to show her some of the hospitality that she and the Korean students showed to us. I'm looking forward to spending some time with her, to make a scrapbook of my hundreds of pictures. . . and eventually, heading back to Korea.

PR

I don't know who is behind it -the Korean government, the University of Ulsan, the PR campaigners for South Korea- but they really and truly want us to go back and give a good report. Why? Because they are letting us have so much fun! Not even letting, but actively endeavoring to make our experience fun. The last few days consisted of me sleeping through breakfast, then a morning class, then lunch. That was basically the end of the "work" for the day, because after lunch on the three respective days, we went to the ice skating rink, the bowling alley (where my team came in 3rd place out of 14), and a tour of Hyundai Heavy Industries, which was breathtaking. Looking at all the huge machinery and ships and cranes that were taller than Alabama's state capitol, I was reminded of Ayn Rand's inclination to make her protagonists feel awe when they gazed upon what wonders man had created. I was certainly in awe at Hyundai.

We have a paper to turn in on Saturday. I already finished mine; knocked out the 10pg paper in about an hour and a half: I still got it! That's the only major requirement for this course, in addition to, of course, punctual attendance in classes. I haven't had a problem with that; waking up twenty minutes before each class doesnt give me enough sleep, but I'm still able to get to class on time. Like home, going to bed "on time" here is a problem because things always come up. Who wants to sleep when you're in Korea? I just got in about an hour ago -it's midnight here- for a late dinner and an ice cream snack. One thing I love about Korea is that it's an ice cream culture. Ice cream all the time :D Delicious.

Tomorrow we go to a few museums, and unfortunately have to be up early in the morning at around 8:30, so I'll try to go to sleep within this hour so I wont have to sleep toooo much on the bus tomorrow. But in this program, I have expanded my sleeping capabilities: today I slept in the ten minute break our class gets, head on my desk; in the twenty minute wait before our traditional Korean instrument class, and a short nap afterwards in my room. And off to sleep now!

Kamsa'ameeda

Wow, it's been an eventful few days. First, Seoul: that was amazing. We were inundated with the culture of S Korea, visiting their national palace, their "blue house," which is like our white house, and even navigated the subway system a few times. For a culture that doesnt open doors for each other, the subway system was an interesting experience, like playing musical chairs; if a person older than you got on, you had to get up. Hierarchy by age is a huge thing here, greetings differ based upon your age in relation to another person. "Anyo" is ok for friends close to you in age (within two years) and "anyo haseyo" must be used for anyone older than that.

My biggest adventure in the last few days, though, I hope will illustrate the competency of this program and the people therein. After one sleepless night at our homestay (where I met my roomate JaeEun's parents, very nice), I fell into bed at the dorms, feeling woozy. I woke up with a 103 fever, at which point my roomate called the staff, who, despite my delirious protestations, took me to the hospital. After one painless shot and much pill popping, I am now feeling quite well. Even better than that, the insurance AUM purchased covered everything, even the ambulance ride to the hospital (which I deemed quite unecessary, but I wasnt in a position to argue much at the time). We even, in typical Asian style, got pictures of me in the ambulance. Dont look too close; I wasnt wearing any makeup. But today I am, I have to make my eyes up good, because for the next two days I have to wear a germ-deterring face mask so all one can see of my face is my eyes.

We also went to a wonderful play that exhibited some neat street dancing moves, legs and arms spinning everywhere! It's a pretty popular play here; "B-boys," something like that. And no, the fingers V are not a gang sign, it's the essENtial pose for taking a photo.

Well, I am off to start on my paper that is due next weekend. Luckily, we get to write it in English. Something interesting I learned is that the Korean students have to write their papers in English too...not just for this program, but through all four years of college. That's real education.

Long time, no escribe. We have been quite busy for the past few days, starting off with a trip to a Buddhist temple to experience life the way the Buddhist monks do it. I really don't have much good to say about this trip: the monk food was unpalatable, the schedule bringing one to tears from boredom (we once spent 50 minutes in meditation, sitting down and staring into nothing), and we slept on a hard wood floor with naught but a blanket between us and the ground. I woke up with a seemingly broken back; needless to say, all 50 of us were thankful when it was time to leave. Enough of that.

For a weekend getaway, we traveled to Busan, the second-largest city in Korea. On Friday, we traveled there by bus and experienced (purely for cultural purposes) the movement and interaction habits of Koreans when occupying in large numbers the same spatial area. ^-^ Then we ate a a wonderful noodle place -open at 5 in the morning- and after that, watched the sun come on on the beach. After a trip to our hostel for a 5 hour nap, we were back on the beach and enjoying the sun, sand, and speedos.

Today is a free day to; I think a group of us will go experience the public saunas, and for the next four days, SEOUL!!! I can't wait. Well, I'm off to go scavenge for breakfast -they don't feed us on the weekends- so adieu!

O Canada, O Canada!

Two eVENTful days. If you might notice, all of my posts are (and will be) at approximately the same time, in the morning. That's about all the free time we have, and I like it that way. The dynamism of Korea is amazing- there's always something to do, somewhere to go, and the people here, especially in our UIP program, are up for anything!

Classes: Korean History, Korean Social Etiquette, Hanji Papercraft, and Ongii Pottery were all nice. Better were the times when a big group of us went out to dinner, and afterwards to Karaoke!!! :D There are karaoke bars everywhere, and though I simply cannot sing- nobody really cares! We rocked out until our 12:00 curfew, Pavarottis and Dylans alike.

Perhaps the best thing so far is making new friends. Yesterday was "Canada Day" (their 4th of July) so our group of Canadians took us all out for dinner. Dress code? Red and white and canada tattoos and stickers! Life is so much fun over here, even on a school night!

Sans Java

I do believe that's the first time in my life I've stayed up for more than 24 hours. A looong plane trip, a transfer, a few hour layover, then another plane trip from Seoul to Ulsan. We arrived at Ulsan around 9:30, and were met by three smiling University of Ulsan students, one of which is my new roomate, Jae-Eun Lee (pictures to come in a few hours when I buy a converter for my computer). After a sweeeet night's rest, we wake up in the morning to our first day at UoU!

Breakfast was palatable, and after breakfast we had our first Korean language class. I do believe I'm making progress, my name in Korean is: 커ㅣ 이 티. It's quite easy to remember :D 7-11 Ol El is the mnemonic I use. Productive class, then for lunch. A good many food items are too spicy for me, even for my quarter Mexican tongue. But I will survive it, and perhaps even lose some weight with all the things that I can't eat.

After lunch, we had our orientation, in which I met a LOT of neat people from all over the world -Morocco, Germany, China, Japan,- and even Arkansas. We all met each other, had a good time, then off to dinner at a deLICious pork place that featured a grill-your-own meat kind of thing. Mmm, I will go there again whenever I get a craving for some carne. A stroll through downtown after dinner and a bit of shopping, and my tired body called it quits for the night.

That was day one. I'm about to start day two :-) After I take a shower in the communal bathrooms.

Manana

Here we go, in a row, to a birthday par-tay.... Nah :D We're going to Korea tomorrow! Saturday, June 27, we depart Alabama for a different land. Over seas, through the sky, destination Seoul, where we'll catch a few flights and rides and finally arrive at the University of Ulsan.

We: we being defined as me, Kati Chapman, and the six other travelers that I am going with to experience what has not being experienced before. I don't know personally some of them, but I'm sure I will after the 12+ hour plane ride. This is, of course, my story: but they are part of my story, and if you're reading this, your story as well. So here is the first introductions, maybe they'll spice the plot up a bit in the entries to come :D

Delia Sescioreanu- Native Romanian, Tennis player, the very definition of the word "cute."
Josh Hooks- Fellow Marketing major, coooolest guy there is, quite lovable.
Tomas Ptacek- Smartest guy you'll ever meet, tennis player as well, native Czech Republican.

Also in the cast are Mary Kidd, Alan Ingram, and Danielle Musgrove, who also has a blog (http://daniellemusgrove.blogspot.com/).

Their stories are to come, and mine begins, starting with the 6:00 wake up call. Bon Voyage!