Teens are the same in every country

Korea has VERY high standards for their students of all ages. Many start attending kindergarten at the age of 4. Starting in first grade they begin to attend a 학원 (hagwon; private after school schools) for all sorts of subjects. English, Math, Piano, etc. Anyways.... you get the idea that Korean kids need have a lot to do.

I found myself wondering many things: Do they have free time? If so what do they do? Are they so tired that they just sleep?

Well, on Saturday I was pleased to find out that teenagers around the world need time to relax. (Maybe this should have been an obvious thing, but I had not witnessed until this day.) I went with a friend to this place with rock pools to swim in.

While there we saw a few groups of teenage boys there just hanging out. I didn't think much of it at first, but then I began to think about how their school work. I wondered why they weren't at home studying or doing something academic as many students do on the weekends. Here were these high school boys swimming, smoking cigarettes, and drinking beer. Wow! It reminds of American high school life. Teens getting away from their parents for a few hours to feel rebellious and relax. 

This was so refreshing to see, because from an outsider perspective it seems that all Korean students do is work, work, work. It was kind of a wake up call to me that said, "Britta, remember what it was like to be a teenager? These people are teens now and want to do the same things."

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Well, the rest of my weekend was quite eventful. We went to see a waterfall near these rock swimming pools. On Sunday I went to Tongyeong, a coastal city, with my Korean friend Christopher (Chiho) for some fun.

Tongyeong

Tomorrow is July 1st.... WOW!

A citizen of the world

After nearly 9 months in Korea, it is time to decide what my next venture will be in my life. The first questions many expats in Korea have asked me is "Will you stay another year in Korea?" My initial reaction to this question was sure, why not, but after much more thought and consideration I realized that teaching English is not my thing. Yes, my job is not too hard and the kids are wonderful but it doesn't satisfy my heart and soul.

The next question most expats here would ask is "Well, are you gonna spend some time traveling after you finish your contract?"
My gut reaction is YES I WANT TO TRAVEL!!!! I was lucky to travel to Thailand over my winter vacation, but I recall that one of the reasons I wanted to come to Korea was to travel around Asia more easily. I also spent much time debating whether I thought I would travel or just go home for a bit. Finally, I realized that the traveling (in small or large capacities) truly makes me happy. I am beginning to plan some SE Asian travels for when I am finished with my contract (Sept. 14). My tentative plan is to travel for 2 months and then head home. We will see about the destinations after I figure out costs/budget, but I filled with joy and butterflies just thinking about this new journey :)

Perhaps not the most informative blog, but I want to just share my thoughts about my life here is East Asia.

Also, I realized I have not done a Korea food blog. This will be soon to come!!!

Cobbers in Korea

In May, thanks to Buddha's birthday, we had a long weekend. I traveled up to Seoul to attend the Seoul Jazz Festival and to visit with some Cobbers.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a 'Cobber' is I should fill you in. My university mascot was a cob of corn named Kernel Cobb, so thus our name was the Concordia Cobbers. 

I knew that there were other Cobbers teaching in Korea, but this was the first time we were able to get together. I have been blessed with many new, beautiful friends in Korea, but there is nothing like interacting with people you have known for longer than a few months AND people who share that Concordia bond.

We spent 3 bliss filled days in Seoul with excellent music, food, and of course company. This mini-vacation reminded me of how special it was to attend a school that emphasized being globally engaged citizens. Across the Pacific one year after graduation we were able to meet and immediately connect. Wow! I know some people are happy to have friends from the same state/country here in Korea but these are people whom graduated from the same small, liberal arts school in Minnesota. :) It still blows my mind!

Kate, Stefan, Me, Ellen

Cobber Rings '12

This also made me think about all of the Cobbers around the world right now that I know! People whom are living out the mission statement and upholding the love of learning that Concordia instilled in us. Again, Wow!

"The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life."

Soli Deo Gloria

An island and 3/4

This past weekend we escaped to the an island called Bijindo. It is amazing how easily you can escape here in Korea. They offer a variety of landscapes to get you out of the city rush and into the island life... :) It seems that Koreans are constantly working and often they forget to take a rest. OR when they do take a rest they spend their entire weekend doing so just before heading back into another hectic work week. Since I have been a part of this Korean work ethic (working 9-7:30 everyday), it was time for a weekend of relaxation. 

After an hour bus ride and an hour ferry we arrived on the island of Bijindo. Nearly 60 foreigners from Changwon (my hometown) filed off the ferry and directly onto the beach. We all set up our tents on the beach and proceeded to enjoy a perfect May day. Now for all my dear friends family back in the Minnesota/North Dakota area, I realize that your spring has been a late coming thing but here in Korea spring is in full swing.

The next 24 hours were filled with sun, soju (Korean rice liquor very similar to vodka), and sand. Away from the sounds and demands of a bustling metropolis we were able to sit and contemplate things other than work. It also provided us with the opportunity to continue and strengthen this community that Changwon boasts. I will admit that sometimes it is quite easy to take it for granted, but this weekend reminded me of how much I appreciate community. During the night when we were all sitting around the fire, I just sat to simply take in the view of all these fantastic people from across the globe taking time to just be. 

Rosemary and me taking in the sun.

On another note I have been in Korea for 8 months. 8 MONTHS!!!!! This means I am 2/3 finished with my contract and now I really need to begin a serious thought about what I will do after I finish my job here. I have spent countless hours and discussion on this topic and I am still clueless. I would definitely welcome any prayers, positive vibes, or supportive thoughts. I guess I will just have to open my heart and my ears to where I am being called to next.

Until next time...

Springtime Weekend Getaways

Today (April 15, 2013) is my 7 month anniversary in Korea. WOW! Each week and month it keeps getting better and it is hard to believe that I am over halfway finished with this contract. 

Spring has definitely sprung here in Korea and it is something to marvel at. All of a sudden the weather warms and green begins to appear around you with what seems to be no effort. The cherry blossoms were something that I really enjoyed to see, because I don't believe I have ever seen so many in one place back in the midwest. In Jinhae, the town next door, they have a cherry blossom festival, which was a wonder to see. A small group of my friends and I biked to Jinhae. It was a great way to take in the spring weather and to get some exercise on the 15km ride. The cherry blossoms seemed to go on forever creating a canopy of soft pink petals. 

I have been fortunate to make some great Korean friends who are around my age. Fred (Seung Hun) and Daniel (Chang Hee) are two guys I met back in October at the lantern festival in Jinju. Now Fred has moved to Busan to work on his masters at a university there. Daniel is still in Jinju finishing his last year of university. These guys are loads of fun and we always have lots of laughs when we are together. Over one weekend I spent a day in Busan with Fred and a day in Jinju with Daniel. Although we all weren't together, it still proved to be an excellent visit in both cities.

Jinju water reservior. L-R Jeffrey (Wooseung), Daniel, Me

I celebrated Easter/spring in a unique way this year. Each spring the people of India celebrate Holi Hai. This celebration is spring and the coming summer. During this festival people throw colored powder at each other and dance the day away. Some Indian expats put together a festival to be held at a beach in Busan. I went with a group of friends from Changwon and we had a great time on Easter Sunday celebrating spring and new life!

Tristan and me at the Holi Hai festival

Most recently I traveled to the city of Boseong to their historic and famous green tea fields. These tea fields have been cultivated since around 600 AD and   were certified organic in 2005. This field is not the only on in the area, but the largest and oldest. I was lucky enough to spend the day with the lovely Sarah Perraton, a wonderful British gal. It was her last weekend in Korea and this was on her Korea bucket list, so we did it!

Sarah and myself at the lovely tea fields.

Just with the spring weather, weekends are quickly filling up with little adventures and I will be sure to keep you all posted about the fun trips!

Gyeongju is Korea

For lunar new year I traveled to Gyeongju with 3 lovely ladies. Gyeongju is a very historic city with many temples, royal burial mounds/tombs, and the home to the Silla dynasty capital. Instead of boring you with the details, this time I will let my pictures to the talking. Enjoy!

(L to R) Me, Christie, Rosemary

Kirstin and Rosemary

Christie

Royal Tombs

Tea time with the monk

Pagoda at the National Museum in Gyeongju

Anapji pond

Happy Lunar New Year from Gyeongju, South Korea!

Saying Goodbye

Something you learn as an expat is that people are always coming and going.

Recently I had to say goodbye to two of my good friends here. Jan and Rika. Jan is a German engineering Masters student who was here for an engineering internship. We became friends almost instantly (mainly because I wanted someone to speak German with... HA!). He turned out to be the brother I never had, because he always pushed my buttons but still cared for me. Rika is a lovely South African woman whom I always had a good time with.

When you arrive and make friends, you assume they will be your friends the whole time you are here. Slowly you begin to realize that everyone arrives at different times, which means they also will leave at different times. This life of constant change was a little odd to me at first, but then I realized that we are all here for different reasons. There is, however, one reason that seems to perpetuate most expats and that is the desire to travel. Many people come to or leave Korea for many fabulous far off lands filled with adventure and new cultures to immerse their souls into. I also have this desire, and now have come to terms with the fact that people do leave and it's alright. My college senior self one year ago would have greatly differed from this opinion.

Well, this first big goodbye went alright and I know it is just the first of many.

Here is the group having a farewell toast at my apartment.