Time that flies...

This past two weeks has been packed with things that I'm forgetting what I did and eat this past week. During the school week, We've had Korean class from 1:30 till 5:30 everyday at Sogang University. Then twice a week in the morning or evening, we've done some kind of activity with our University Buddies. On top of that, as a whole program group, we've gone to a lecture on Korean culture/society and this past Wednesday, learnt about traditional Mask Dancing. Although we tried to learn a part of the dance, 4 hours still wasn't long enough even to get through one time of the dance. Boiled down, Korean Mask Dancing is an operatic drama with music, dialogue and dance. It's kind of like Shakespeare mixed in with Wagner or Mozart.

Last weekend, my host family and I spent the weekend in Yeoju (여주). Besides being the Korean center for ceramics, It also has the Tomb of King Sejong. King Sejong is known for inventing the Korean written language of Hanguel (한글). This helped all Koreans to become literate overnight. Besides his tomb, which is set on a large mound of earth surrounded by traditional houses and plains of grass, Yeoju has a large ceramics museum and a traditional wood crafted art museum. The Mok Museum specialized not only in wooden Buddhist art but also in stone art. At the Ceramics museum, not only were Korean ceramics shown but also international pieces too. Honestly, I couldn't ever imagine ceramics as art like those shown at the museum. Some were people. Some were furniture and some were even dresses. The exhibits really took multiple forms of art and mixed them together.

There's so much more to tell you besides this one past weekend but I'll have to save them for my next post. Thank you all for reading and commenting on my blog, it really means alot. Till next time!

The family

I've been with my host family for 3 days now and its been great. I have a older sister who is a university student and a slightly younger brother whose in High School. My host- 엄마 (mother) and 아빠 (father) are both really nice, plus the mom cooks really well.

Since I will only be starting Korean classes at Sogang University this Monday, it's been a quiet start to my year abroad. Yesterday, my host sister took me to the university so I could practice getting there for my classes. I have to find my way to a bus stop, get on the right bus before the doors shut, get to the subway station, get on the right train that goes in the right direction, transfer correctly, take the right exit out of the station and get to class. All while getting off the bus and train at the correct stop. One good thing is that most stops are announced in English, although that still doesn't make me less nervous. I am of course exaggerating the situation... or am I?

That same day, My host sister took me to see SHREK: The Final Chapter. One twist besides the strange enough Korean subtitles (I thought it would've been dubbed), was that it was in 4-D. Yes I wrote that correctly, 4-D. Not only was SHREK in 3-D, but the rows of seats moved like in Disney World, bubbles were involved and when SHREK landed on the ground, our bodies were jabbed. Plus there were puffs of air that would evoke shrieks of surprise from the audience. But not from me.

Anyways, its been a crazy week since I left Chicago, but I know there will still be tons more of these unpredictable weeks in Korea.

The Honeymoon...

I just finished breakfast in the Hostel and tonight I finally meet my host family.

We just arrived 2 days ago in Incheon, which by the way was extremely nice and efficient. The flight wasn't so bad just long. An elderly Korean grandmother sat next to me and so I tried my Korean. It didn't work out so well.

Our group has been staying at the Seoul Youth Hostel for orientation. We have been meeting our local program coordinators and also our Korean University Buddies. It has also been a blast learning how to get around on the complex yet easy enough subway system with our Buddies.

Right now, everyone is getting used to eating rice and kimchi at every meal. Even breakfast. However, this was to be expected. I have been liking the meals here in Korea. Last night our Buddies took us to a noodle shop. It only cost 7000 Won, which is about 6 dollars and it was so filling and really good. Best of all, our group was able to sit in a traditional room where we ate on the wooden floor. Because today is our last day of orientation, we will we meet our host families in the evening. All of us are extremely anxious and excited to finally meet our families.

A quick word about the title of this post. There is a curve/theory that shows the emotions involved in a foreign exchange. Right at the beginning of the exchange, the Honeymoon phase takes place. This is where everything is brand new and exciting, just like the start of a vacation. I only chose this title because its the beginning of the exchange, therefor the beginning of the exchange. The next time I post, I'll be living with my host family.

Today is that day...

Today is departure day.

As I woke up today, tons of stuff just jumped into my head. Things I have yet to pack, that extra shampoo, some notebook paper, and then emotions. I really only now am realizing them. I know their normal but it still will be a year that I'm gone.

Besides the sentimental things, excitement for the expected and the unexpected is flowing through my veins right now. Learning Korean will not be easy but I'm hoping that being absorbed in Korean life will only add to the experience.

Today I start an adventure that I know will last a lifetime. An adventure in South Korean Culture. Besides, I need to finish packing...

Beginnings...

This is a little late...

In 3 days and eleven hours, my adventure starts. I will be living, learning, sleeping and breathing in South Korea for 12 months. By the way I'm Bjorn and just graduated from High School. I'm doing this exchange as a Gap-Year so I can learn Korean.

First off, I can't believe that I'm actually leaving this Friday. This past month since I found out, has felt like a dream. The only way that reality is settling in is thnking about what to pack for 12 months.