A short explanation...

So I've recently had a lot of people telling me they've read my blog and seen the pictures I've uploaded to my facebook account but have no idea what I was doing in Korea or why so I though it's probably time I explain now I have the chance...

I was basically awarded a scholarship along with one other guy from my university in North Wales to represent the UK and study in South Korea for three weeks on a 'Cultural Exchange' programme at Pukyong National University (PKNU) in Busan. The programme involved 31 international students and 35 Korean students (there should have been an equal number as we were all partnered off but unfortunately one of the universities had to drop out). According to the uni's brochure, the programme aimed to "encourage students to extend their diverse cultural understanding as well as develop language skills. Participants can broaden their knowledge by exploring Korean culture through living experience, lectures, visits, and activities with partner students."

AND IT WAS AMAZING!

Before I set off I had no idea what to expect as I'd been away the two weeks prior to flying (without the internet - sob!) and had little time to do any research. I was just so excited to be travelling again, especially seeing as all my flights, accommodation (in the university halls), tuition and activities were paid for!

So, once the programme all kicked off we were treated to Korean language classes, special lectures about the culture (very interesting), history (quite interesting) economy (not as interesting) as well as various different activities, home-stays and field trips, all of which you can read about below (shameless plug aha)! My buddy, Jooyoung Lee was fantastic as were all of the people from all over the world that I met on the course. I have been so fortunate to have had this opportunity and didn't want to leave, but will hopefully be returning in a couple of years as a fully qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher.

Hope this has cleared things up a bit for those who were in the dark!

Until next time,
EmJx

White Rose, White Rose!

Happy Yorkshire Day Folks! Finally getting to spend it in God's own county with a full roast this evening to celebrate... chuffed to little mint balls meeee!

EmJx

Honey I'm Home!

After an emotional goodbye (I really didn't want to leave!) and a 26hour journey, I finally arrived home at around 1am BST Monday morning having not slept for the majority of the journey (a 30 minute nap from Munich to London doesn't particularly count)! I have had such an amazing three weeks in South Korea, learning and experiencing so much and have met some truly amazing people that I hope to keep in touch with for a long time to come.

I am also extremely fortunate that it is nearly my 21st birthday and so my parents have bought me a 120hour advanced online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course as a present. Not only will this hopefully allow me to earn a few extra pennies giving lessons when I'm studying in Martinique (a Caribbean island) and Rouen (France) but also means I can return to South Korea as a teacher once I graduate. I'm looking forward to it already! When I was on the plane home, I spoke to the Korean guy sat next to me about the exchange program and my aspirations who further encouraged me to go for it, especially given my 'excellent' pronunciation of 감사합니다 (gamsahabnida - thank you) to the air-hostess. Well when it's one of the few words you can say... haha.

I'm now making the most of being at my parents, catching up on sleep amongst other things as it's only 5 weeks until I fly out to the Caribbean to begin my first semester in a French speaking country. Well, when given the choice, France just seems a bit blasé! I promise to update about the rest of my time in Korea (as well why I was actually out there in the first place for those who keep asking) but it's back to bed soon before heading in to China town in Leeds tomorrow to buy decorations for my 'oriental themed' birthday party!

The fun never stops :)

EmJ x

Taekwondo skiiiiiills

Yes that is indeed me with the Korean female champion of some event that unfortunately I didn't catch the translation of. And yes I am wearing a medal for top of the class along with Anne-Marie and Gabriel, and no, there aren't only three people in my class. Check it out!

Amazing afternoon but I'm definitely going to ache tomorrow!

EmJx

Ahn Nyeong Hah Seh Yo from e-FM 90.5!

So as if being on StormFM (Bangor University's radio station) wasn't enough, this morning I was asked to go on e-FM, Busan's English language radio station with five other international students from the program to talk about our experiences in Korea! Do I get extra points if I complete a challenge twice? :)

EmJx

I can see clearly now...

So this morning we had our last ever Korean lesson and after over two weeks of being immersed in the culture and what feels like hours and hours of lessons the only complete sentence I can remember other than 'I am from England' is 'I am eating my rice.' And the words: dog, toilet, restaurant and bag. All useful of course.

We then had a presentation from a representative of the British Council, which has confirmed my idea of becoming an English teacher in Korea. I've just fallen in love with the place. The people. Their culture. Their desire to succeed. And the fact that the shopping and public transport has nothing on the UK (I was lucky enough to visit the world's largest department store yesterday). I also want to teach everyone that England, Scotland and Wales are indeed three separate countries and no, we don't all wear bowler hats and carry round umbrellas and speak like a BBC newsreader which seems to be the general perception here.

We then had an early finish so I had chance to head to a nearby opticians, aptly named 'Eye love you' to get myself a new pair of gigs. I'm sorry Specsavers but you've just been owned. Four of us managed to walk in without an appointment and see an optometrist immediately before having our chosen pair of glasses made up in less than 20 mins. I think actually choosing the pair of glasses from the hundreds available was the most time consuming! And the best part, all of this was unbelievably cheap compared to the UK (and America and Australia by the sounds of things seen as the majority of people in my class needing specs have got some from the same store), even though I had to pay more for my lenses as I'm practically blind. Fail.

So what do you think? Pretty geeky huh? Haha.

Until next time,

EmJx

Living for the weekend!

Wow, so this weekend's been pretty special. I guess it kinda started on Friday morning when we had a day off school to go visit Gyeongju, an ancient city full of Temples, ancient ruins and archaeological sites. It was so peaceful and beautiful and I even got to kiss the 'Golden Pig' - a symbol of wealth (hence piggy banks). Apparently your meant to stroke him to bring money and prosperity, so maybe by giving him a big juicy one I should be well in the money!

We were then treated to an amazing lunch in the cutest restaurant (although the whole sitting on the floor crossed legged is playing havoc with my messed up knees) and even got to decorate our own traditional fans in the afternoon, although I'm not going to show a picture of mine as it's just embarrassing compared to some people's amazing creations haha. In the evening, we headed to Club Maktum for a girly night out, an underground nightclub that puts Occy to absolute shame! Although a little pricier than other places, we were given fans, a free drink and ginormous glowsticks on entry and the DJ set was pretty amazing. It was also the American girls' first time in a club (as they're not 21 yet) so I was super excited to take them! Unfortunately I left my camera in the taxi though and can't pick it up from the depot til Monday, but at least I'm getting it back. Everyone in Korea's just so honest (although I guess my brand new camera for the trip would already seem a bit ancient to them and not worth pinching haha)!

It was then back to the university halls to make the curfew (if you're not back by 2am they'll lock you out until the morning :|) before heading off on my homestay program on the Saturday morning. This is a program offered by Pukyong National University that allows international students the chance to experience 'real life' in Korea.

Thankfully I'd already met my homestay buddy, SooJin (above), before heading to her parents' apartment not too far from the university and we got on really well. Her Mum was adorable (although she didn't speak a word of English) and taught me how to make kimbap, a sort of Korean sushi made with seaweed and rice but with vegetables, egg, ham and crab-meat and ham instead of raw fish, that we took for a picnic by the beach with her boyfriend (who thankfully did speak English) before visiting the APEC house. In the evening, we went up Mount Hwangryeong to enjoy the views of the city at night, although I don't think the picture I pinched off someone else's blog does it justice. It was absolutely breath-taking, especially Gwangan Bridge (the longest bridge in Korea) all lit up and the full moon reflecting on the water. I think I'm going soppy in my old age!

The next morning, after a cheeky lie-in, we headed to Shinsegae, the largest department store in the world! The place was phenomenal and I could have spent all day in there although we'd just popped in so I could get a bikini and make the most of the 30 degree heat and summer sun on Haeundae beach. We hired some floats and had a fantastic afternoon with some our friends from the program, although the water was still pretty chilly despite the weather!

Once we were home, a couple of the girls and I headed for pizza where they were showing the day’s news. And guess what... the beach we'd been at was featured (we had no idea what they were saying but we assumed it was to do with how busy it had been that afternoon). The picture below gives you an idea of how crazy it gets over the summer. In fact, last year the beach broke the world record for the number of umbrellas on a beach at one time! Unfortunately we didn't manage to make it in to the background of the Korean news report but at least we had an amazing afternoon :)

But for now, bed as I'm exhausted. Again. Buona notte folks :)

EmJx