Sam shares: Here at the Catholic University of Korea, I started doing the summer exchange programme and the teacher’s assistantship job for the Global English Outreach programme. These programs allowed me to be immersed in Korea’s unique culture and vibrant society. In my summer program, I started to learn the Korean language, take classes in culture and society and also go on trips to various places in Seoul. Whereas, with the GEO program, I have been able to meet with a number of Korean students and have been able to have a firsthand experience of the Korean culture through them.
During my first week in the GEO program, I have met a total of 6 students on a personal basis. My first experience was with a female student studying English. We had a desert/snack and we discussed her typical daily life. During our conversation, I immediately noticed cultural differences. One such example is the idea of ‘Groupism’. This idea ultimately means that in Korea, most people do things in a group-whether it be studying, socializing and many other forms of entertainment. While groups do exist within the UK, it is not to the same extent as Korea. This was something I found to be quite fascinating as this creates a strong bond between the members of a group. However, I think that it somehow takes away the concept of individualism. I also learnt that in Korea, all males must join the army for two years-something that shocked me as it was a tradition that was abandoned in the UK many years ago. I was also fascinated by the fact that many Koreans-male and female-do not like this law, though they do appear to support the government. In the UK, this would be different, as people in the UK (including myself) would be heavily against such a law, and it would likely cause controversy and problems (such as violent protests).
This first blog entry, has briefly introduced the reader to some of the huge cultural differences I have experienced within Korea. I look forward to continuing my time here and discussing more new discoveries I am likely to come across.
During my first week in the GEO program, I have met a total of 6 students on a personal basis. My first experience was with a female student studying English. We had a desert/snack and we discussed her typical daily life. During our conversation, I immediately noticed cultural differences. One such example is the idea of ‘Groupism’. This idea ultimately means that in Korea, most people do things in a group-whether it be studying, socializing and many other forms of entertainment. While groups do exist within the UK, it is not to the same extent as Korea. This was something I found to be quite fascinating as this creates a strong bond between the members of a group. However, I think that it somehow takes away the concept of individualism. I also learnt that in Korea, all males must join the army for two years-something that shocked me as it was a tradition that was abandoned in the UK many years ago. I was also fascinated by the fact that many Koreans-male and female-do not like this law, though they do appear to support the government. In the UK, this would be different, as people in the UK (including myself) would be heavily against such a law, and it would likely cause controversy and problems (such as violent protests).
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| Sam with Mihye, Team New Zealand captain |
This first blog entry, has briefly introduced the reader to some of the huge cultural differences I have experienced within Korea. I look forward to continuing my time here and discussing more new discoveries I am likely to come across.
by Samuel Kasim, Buddy from Abroad from the United Kingdom
