School and Cultural Tidbits

So I'm learning alot lately. These past few weeks I've been really happy though, even when I say or do stupid things its all kinda cool. I'm blessed to be working with really good people. They've been more than welcoming and helpful as I try to learn the ropes and get the hang of all of this. The kids at my school are great too. Its an a hagwon~private school in Korean~ and more specifically an English immersion school, which means inside the doors we speak only English. Of course, the kids are anywhere from 3-7 yrs old so alittle Korean sometimes gets spoken to help explain things (especially for the youngest ones) but remarkably about 90 - 95% of the time in English only, even in the halls. The Korean teachers at the school are great English speakers and in the kindergarten grades the three foreign teachers are me, a girl from Alaska, and a guy from Wales. We usually have about 7 kids per class - except for Afternoon Activities time when classes work together for different things. My day of teaching lasts till 9:30 - 5:30 though the preparing ~especially now~ is going to take longer. But thats ok!I'll get the hang of it.

Some things I know now about Korean culture include the fact that they are very hard workers, dedicated to education and lots of it from a very young age. It is not at all surprising that in 40 yrs South Korea has moved from a 3rd world economy to a 1st world one. The kids start school at like 3 or 4 "American years" ~I'll explain what Korean years are in a minute~ and they usually from a young age have alot of extra after school Activities - like when they get out of public school they often go to night classes for English or other things, often up to 9 at night. Crazy eh?

Also, Koreans count age from the when you were conceived, not born...so a 7 year old kid in Korea is often 6 yrs old in Western terms. Also they don't have separate birthdays, they all advance a year in age when the Korean New Year roles around. so a 7 year old kid hear, actually could be 5 years old American too.

When addressing letters in Korea one starts from the most general thing and then goes specific, unlike starting specific and then moving to general (like my address in US written Korean style would be Jane Doe, USA, Michigan, St. Ignace, 193 Portage Street)

As well Koreans do not go "dutch" so to speak. When you are a guest, you are 100% the guest, not paying for anything. (Not totally unlike Tanzanians view of the situation). They just expect that you will return the favor in like kind another day.

They LOVE Karaoke. Not Karaoke bars, but Karaoke in its unadultered, not drunken, but singing soberly the best you can glory! I think it might be an Asian thing. Josh told me it was big in Taiwan too, and Eriko mentioned it being big in Japan as well. I'm not kidding, there's a booming business in renting out different themed suites to people who want to go singing. You go into the building and they show you around their different rooms and ask you which one you'd like - be it the "disco" room, or the "underwater" room, or the "modern" room or the "pretty pretty princess" room. Whichever. I love it when people geek out about something and are unashamed of it! Its so thoroughly cool.

Also there are phone booths everywhere around here despite the fact that almost everyone has a telephone! I'm not kidding real honest to God kinda phone booths where Clark Kent can change into Superman. Its cool.

Anyway, thats just some random things I've learned about Korea. Happy Chusak too everyone! It's the festival to honor our ancestors this weekend. Sort of a Thanksgiving equivalent. So yea, 3 day weekend. Pretty cool.