Whoo, sorry, followers! I apologise for the RAMPANT tardiness in reporting; Hannam University has us booked to the MAX! But I shall try to recap the most memorable moments, and hopefully it shall be in chronological order, though I make no guarantees.
On Sunday, the day after I arrived, I had lunch with two Korean students. In this program, every foreign student is assigned a "buddy." All of the buddies have been through rigourous training, etc., so they are fully prepared to assist us, which is pretty epic, since in the course of a week I have learned how to say "hello," "thank you," and "beer." Two buddies came witgh me to lunch, and helped me order. Or rather, ordered for me. :)
Anyway, on Sunday I ate a dish called "Chicken Mayo" which is basically chopped fried chicken, rice, fried egg, soy sauce, seaweed, and... mayonnaise. Yes, mayonnaise on rice. But I tried it... And it was AWESOME. ^_^ Totally making that when I get back to the 'States.
That evening I was able to meet some other students from the Korean Studies Summer Program (henceforth, KSSP) (there are 76 participants total: 25 Korean "buddies" and 51 foreigners [some are professors/lecturers] hailing from the 'States, Australia, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and the Philipenes). Upon arriving, one of the Australians, Josh (with whom I am now good friends) rounded up other participants ane we gathered at a local bar/restaurant for some camaraderie. We couldn't stay out too late (Josh wasn't happy at this) since we have a curfew. The dorm in which we are all staying locks its doors at 11pm, which causes us to miss out on some of the local night life here in Daejeon, but I understand the reasoning behind it.
Monday was our first official session, and we spent most of the time getting to know the school and the town through some... exuberantly futuristic films. We were also introduced to the Center of International Relations staff and all the buddies. Then we introduced ourselves and our schools. Some groups had made a powerpoint presentation (I would have made one, but I didn't know that we needed one until it was too late). The Australians, who are from Charles Sturt University (nine students and one lecturer) went first. I kid you not, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. They played the song that goes "We come from the land down under" (don't ask me who performs the song, I haven't the foggiest) and had a slide show of pictures of each of them with their names. I think I was the only one who found it as side-splittingly hilarious, but that's okay. Their presentation was the most memorable.
The other schools that are participating are Green Mountain College, King College, Lynchburg College, Maryville College (WOOO!), Montreat College, Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore), Peace College, Presbyterian College, University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Western Carolina. (The student not from the 'States, Australia, and Singapore never formally introduced themselves, so I am not quite sure how much they are a part of KSSP).
After introductions, we ate lunch in the school cafeteria. I am not quite sure what I ate (it isn't that I don't remember, it's that I didn't even know at the time). I DID try "Gimbap" or "Kimbap," which is kind of like what we think sushi is, but everything in it is cooked. I still haven't quite acquired a taste of seaweed, so I didn't each much of this. But this was a good opportunity to meet some of the other students.
After lunch, we had more presentations, oen form Chrisopher Hobson, basically the Resident Life Coordinatore for my building. He prefers to go by "'Topher" (phonetically, "Toe" + "Fur." Yeah, ew.). He is energetic and enthusiastic, but a bit eccentric for my demeanor. Anyway, he gave us some basic notions on how to operate politely around South Korea, such as things NOT to say and gestures NOT to make and what food we might like. Then a break and ANOTHER presentation. :) Then we got a campus tour with some buddies then dinner again in the cafeteria.
Okay, I don't mean to cut this short, lovelies, but it seems I may be watching the World Cup tonight. It's Korea versus Uraguay. Many of the local residents are PUMPED about this, so we'll see. But I shall try to update tomorrow (Sunday), since I am free for the day (woo!).
Love you all, and thanks for reading!!!
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