My Korea Buddha‘s birthday experience

Buddha's birthday is very special day for me. Because It is big festival for Buddhists. Buddhism is one of Korea's well known religion.

Although I am a Catholic, I still enjoy Buddha's birthday. Last year, I went to Samkwangsa during Buddha's birthday. Samkwangsa is a very famous Buddhist temple. For example United States' CNN broadcasting selected Samkwangsa as one of Korea's beautiful places. When I arrived there, Samkwangsa had lantern festival . There were many people. Samkwangsa had decorated many lanterns. That day is lantern festival's last day so it is at its peak. Another feature I like is the solemn temple mood.

For me, Buddha's birthday is somehow different with Christmas celebration. In the case of Christmas, it is like a festival. Every people just enjoy that day. But during Buddha's, people worship Buddha. So many Buddhist monks are enthusiastic to worship Buddha. In the evening, when the Sky becomes dark, lanterns are everywhere. Monk's spearhead the festival celebration. It is both a festive and serious event. I think that's one of the difference with Christmas day.

 
Editor's note (Lotus Lantern festival write up and photos courtesy of Abigail Go):

Here are some photos from the recently concluded 2012 Lotus Lantern Festival. The Lotus Lantern Festival in Korea was held last May 19 to 20. An opening ceremony was held in Dongguk University where all the Buddhist temples showcased their lanterns and had performances shown to the public. Numerous participants flocked the area - the young and aged, even the disabled and special people took part in the event. Afterwards, all the participants walked their way from  Dongguk University all the way to Jongno-samga where the lantern parade took place. It was a festive celebration, full of colors and wonderful performances. Locals and foreigners alike witnessed this eventful celebration. Below are some of the photos taken during the 2 hour long parade ^^

Cute little monk lantern

Vibrant colors depicting the festival's festive mood

Several schools participated and joined the lantern festival

Even Catholic University of Korea has its own lantern

Brightly colored elephant seen during the parade

Even the Seoul mascot is visible in the parade

by Jung byung soo, GEO Class 1-3, Professor Tom and TA Boram

Photos by Abigail Go, GEO Blog & SNS Editor 

Build long lasting relationships with family members this Seollal holiday

Korea celebrated the Lunar New Year last January 23 . The Lunar New Year, otherwise known as Seollal is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. A lot of Koreans go home and spend time with their families. Others visited their relatives.As for me, I stayed at my Catholic church during the holiday. Since I am a seminary student, even during the Lunar New Year, I have to be there and attend mass.

In this article, I want to share with you what I think about Seollal.

A family wearing ‘Han Bok’

together during Seollal

In the old days, kins gather together during Seollal. Seollal is a special occasion for the Korean people as they pay respect to their ancestors. Usually, people wear hanbok (traditional clothes) perform ancestral rites and/or play folk games, eat delicious traditional foods like tteokguk. However these days, it looks like that the meaning of the Seollal has changed. Nuclear families are much more common today, and people do not give much importance to family-oriented festival (particularly those involving extended families). As years pass, individuals don’t like attending big family gatherings that much. They feel uncomfortable talking with relatives. Young people think that these family gatherings only entail them to disclose details about one’s job, marriage and other intricate details about their private lives. These stories just bug them. However, some people enjoy Seollal because they can eat delicious meals and enjoy family bonding with long lost relatives. They particularly look forward to special foods that are available in homes during this festive celebration. Moreover, a lot of individuals look forward to the Seollal gifts that they receive from their grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts. They are eagerly looking forward to the “Sebae don” they will be receiving.

Indeed, people have mixed feelings about this holiday. But I hope that you look for the good traits of this family oriented affair. It only happens once in a year. I hope instead of harboring ill feelings towards this holiday, make the most out of this holiday to harness long lasting relationships with family members.

By Kim Heung Nyun, GEO Class 3-3 (Professor Tom Kim and TA Revan)

Big and Small Festivals in Korea

Korea has about seven hundred big and small festivals. I want to share some information about festivals that occur here in Korea.

Chicken and Beer Festival

2010 Poster of the Chicken Festival

Since I know that most people like chicken and beer (^_^), I want to tell you about the chicken and beer festival.

There is a chicken festival in Coex. Actually it’s a festival that was created to spur business. However, even if that is the case, a lot of people still patronize this festival. People enjoy new chicken items. Not only chicken festival, they also have the Seoul national wines and spirits expo. Aside from wine, other beverages such as beer are available as well. They also display hard liquors, traditional alcoholic drinks, cheese or olive and etc. Other items such as accessories like wines refrigerator and glasses are also available.

Chicken Festival Poster 2011

I think it’s good chance and experience especially for those people who love drinking. Even people who just want to taste the beverages will surely enjoy this wonderful treat.

Buryeong Mud Festival

Tourist flock Buryeong for the mud festival

I recommend another festival. It is a famous festival to both locals and foreigners alike. It is called mud festival. Boryeong mud festival happens every July in Daecheon swimming beach. Initially, the mud festival which first occurred in 1998, was something that organizers made in order to advertise the superiority of Boryeong Mud and Boryeong Mud Cosmetics. In addition, it is to boasts about the sightseeing places in the vicinity. Since the event was very successful, it became a yearly event.

There are a lot of events during the festival proper. First off, the mud pool sliding! Falling into the mud or sliding into it. You can also opt to massage your whole body with mud. Second event is the mud fall adventure. It’s very simple but interesting. Mud will drop to your body from 5m high! Thirdly, there is this event called “conquering the mud peak”. Individuals compete and grab a flag to win. It’s fun especially when participants roll in the mud.

Songpyeon rice cake that is normally served during Chuseok

Chuseok

One of the most commemorated days in Korea is the Chuseok holiday. It is the thanksgiving day in Korea. It is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Koreans like me visit ancestral grave and perform some ceremony for ancestors. And we eat delicious foods too. At that time, we eat a lot of rice cakes. The rice cake is called songpyeon. The contents of this rice cake vary depending on the region. But I can guarantee that it’s delicious. Aside from eating songpyeon, some even enjoy rice wines such as sindoju and dongdongju.

Left photo: Korean children perform sebae during Seollal; Right photo: tteokguk that is usually served during the Korean New Year

Seollal

Seollal or the Korean New Year (first day of the lunar calendar) is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year’s Day. Korean New Year is typically a family-oriented holiday. The three-day holiday is used by many to return to their home towns to visit their parents and other relatives where they perform the ancestral ritual known as charye (차례). Many Koreans dress up in colorful hanbok. Tteokguk (떡국) (soup with rice cakes) is commonly served. They also perform sebae towards elders and sometimes they even play folk games in the household during this holiday.

Article written by: Choi Yun

from GEO Class 5-2 (Prof. Tom Kim and TA Porter)

Know more about South Korea’s National Foundation Day

The National Foundation Day of Korea is a national holiday that commemorates the foundation of Dangoon-Josun, the first nation of Korea. The National Foundation Day of Korea is every 3^rd of October. This year is the 4343th anniversary.

Hwanung descended from the heaven to live with mankind and make us comfortable

There are some explanations on the date of the Foundation Day. Some explain that it is decided as October 3^rd, because October means harvest month in lunar calendar and 3 is lucky number in Korea. At the same time, others say that October 3rd is the day when Hwanung descended from the heaven, because Korean people believe that Hwanung had descended from heaven to live with mankind and make us comfortable.

In any case, October 3^rd is special day for Korean people. People used to have festivals to celebrate the harvest, and it was inherited from other countries in Korean peninsula such as Yeonggo of Buyeo, Mucheon of Yemaek, Gyeeum of Mahan and Byeonhan, Dongmaeng of Goguryeo, Palgwanheoi of Silla. Then it was enacted as a national holiday in 1990 by Daejongkyo which is a religion of Korea founded in 1909 by Na Cheol. Daejonkyo worship Dangoon, who ruled over the Korean empire about 5000 years ago. They believe that Korean people do not need to worship foreign gods, because they already have their own. When the Republic of Korea was founded, the government inherited the holiday and designated as the National Foundation Day. There were some arguments on setting the date of Gaecheonjeol, the National Foundation Day, because it follows the lunar calendar. However, it was decided that solar calendar will be used, because it is very hard to convert the date every year. Hence, since 1949, the holiday is being celebrated every year on October 3^rd based on the solar calendar .

National Foundation Day festivities near Gwanghwamun Square

On the Foundation Day, Korean people look back on the way they live and keep the spirit of the national foundation, humanitarianism, by raising the Korean flags. Also, big and small festivals are hold in many places in Korea to commemorate the Foundation Day.

from GEO Class 3-3 (Prof. Nigel James Power and TA Jinah Kim)

Article written by: Dong Hun Lee

This is how I spent my Chuseok!

Chuseok (Korean: 추석) is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Like many other harvest festivals, it is held around the Autumn Equinox. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food such as songpyeon and rice wines such as sindoju and dongdongju (source: Wikipedia).

Different faces of Korea's Chuseok holiday

Let’s take a tour and learn more about the wonderful stories of GEO students as they share highlights of their experiences during this three-day holiday.

GaEun – I was training for Psychodrama this summer, so it was a happy holiday for a long time. I was so happy. During the night of Chuseok, I drank beer and talked a lot with my mom and dad. We talked about my psychodrama play (but I think they couldn’t understand…), my future major, and love. I said, “I want to have a romantic relationship with someone this semester.” Then they said, “You are too young!” In their point of view, they think I’m always ‘too young’ to do something like that.

Min Jeong – I went to my grandmother’s home in Sokcho during the Chuseok. Sokcho is famous for the fried chicken restaurant located in Sokcho Central Market. Although there were many people, my sister and I decided to eat chicken there. We waited for 30 minutes before we could buy chicken. How does it taste? It was not special. It’s just that the amount of chicken was a lot more compared to other restaurants. That night, we went to the beach after eating dinner. We had so much fun running by the seashore. Suddenly high waves came to us so we got wet. Despite the fried chicken’s so-so taste and being wet on the beach, for me, it was still a very fun Chuseok.

Yeon Jae – Chuseok is a big holiday in Korea. While inside the train headed for my hometown, there were too many people. All seats were occupied and I had no choice but to stand by the entry door for three hours. At that time, I saw the old woman who yield seat to someone and then, I also give her my seat. The old woman noticed my book which has a stamp of Catholic University of Korea. She said that she lives in Sosa. We have a good time talking to each other for three hours. She told me about her life stories and we became friends. I really felt good.

Young Sang – We are six in the family: my parents, three sisters and I. Why do I mention about my family? This is because families are just about everything on Korean holidays especially, Chuseok and Seollal. It is during this time of the year that I would like to spend time with my family. Since my parents and sisters have their jobs as well as lots of task in everyday life, and since we live separately, I couldn’t usually meet them. That’s why I was very happy being with them on Korean holidays. We had conversation about how we had lived, cooked Korean Chuseok food for ancestor worship ceremonies, paid attention to ancestors and met our relatives. These are the ordinary Chuseok activities of Korean families. My family and I would drink a lot whenever we get together after a long time of not seeing each other. My whole family is like alcohol monsters. And so am I. Drinking Korean alcohol during Korean Holiday means my family is still healthy. After paying attention to our ancestors, we always drink until early morning of the following day. That is why I always have hangover. But even with that, I like the memories of being with my family.

Sung Jin – My family and I went to my uncle’s house. We had a “Jaesa” together. Jaesa is a Korean traditional ceremony for honoring deceased ancestors – especially grandparents. After Jaesa, we shared food and drinks used in Jaesa with my family. And we went to my uncle’s house. With my cousins, we played “blue marble” – a Korean board game. I won the game and got 20,000won for first prize.

Photo credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr

from GEO Class 4-5 (Prof. Roger Foard and TA Keith Capoy)

Congratulations to the Raffle Draw Winners of GEO Student Festival 2011

The recently concluded GEO Student Festival 2011 held last May 18, 2011 was a tremendous success. GEO students, other university students and guests alike joined the activities. Aside from the games that GEO and non-GEO students played. GEO and non-GEO students alike get the chance to win cool prizes during the lottery raffle draw.

And….. tentereren….. (drum roll please…)

The winners for the lottery draw are as follows:

1. Minor Prizes: Seven minor prizes to receive 2 OBF Free Drinks Coupon

• Jang Gyung A (xxx-xxxx-0943)
• Hyun Yeong (xxx-xxxx-9102)
• Park Sang Min (Non-GEO student, xxx-xxxx-7246)
• Shin Ji Hye (xxx-xxxx-3673)
• Lee Han Sol (xxx-xxxx -0667)
• Lee Mi Ok (xxx-xxxx -8510)
• Eom Su Jin (xxx-xxxx -8793)

2. Third Prize: To receive yummy goodies such as Kisses milk, ABC chocolate, Pringles plain and 2 OBF free drinks coupon

• Lee Wong Kyu (xxx-xxxx-4130)

3. Second Prize – To receive delectable treats including M&Ms almond, Pringles cheese, Binch cookies, and 2 OBF free drinks coupon

• Lee Bo Young (Non-GEO student, xxx-xxxx-1221)

And FINALLY: the grand prize winner….

First Prize: To receive mouthwatering snacks and delightful food indulgence which are comprised of Snickers minis, M&Ms milk, Kisses almond, Pringles plain, Choco pie and 2 OBF free drinks coupon

• Gu Seong Hun (xxx-xxxx-1240)

Winners can claim the prizes as early as Monday next week (May 23, 2011). Please visit GEO office (International Hub Building 2nd Floor) to get your winnings!!!

Once again, the GEO family hope you had fun in the activities.

Keep on supporting GEO and hope to see you in the future…

By: Abigail Go, GEO Blog Editor

GEO Student Festival Activities - Something to look forward to ^_^

In line with Catholic University of Korea’s (CUK) Student Festival Week, the Global Outreach English Program also prepared five amazing activities for you. The GEO family is sure that you will have lots of fun with the things that we have in store for you. Aside from the activities, you will get the chance to win cool prizes during the lottery draw. Winners will be announced through the GEO blog. So what are you waiting for???

Watch out for GEO Student Festival Activities (GSFA) happening this Wednesday afternoon (May 18, 2011) @ CUK Gym (located in IH 1st Floor)...

Amazing surprises & wonderful games await YOU...

See You there d(*⌒▽⌒*)b

By: Abigail Go, GEO Blog Editor

Participate & Enjoy CUK's Student Festival Week

Every year, the Catholic University of Korea (CUK) holds its Student Festival Week on the third week of May. This is in line with the commemoration of the school’s anniversary. Also, this is also in celebration of the CUK International Student Spring Festival. This year, it will be held on May 18 to 20 (Wednesday to Friday). All organizations and student clubs are busy preparing for this huge event. There are various games and activities in store for students and guests alike. There is also an International Food Bazaar where individuals can savor and taste delicious foods from other countries. Moreover there is the Culture Night where expectators can experience traditional recreational activities of each country. CUK Foreign students prepared traditional game, costume, travel materials, among others for guests.

Event Details:

* International Food Bazaar

· Date & Time: 2011. 5. 19 (THU) 13:00-16:00

· Place: Main Entrance of International Hub (IH)

· Program: Selling traditional food from your country

* Culture Night

· Date & Time: 2011. 5. 19 (THU) 16:00-20:00

· Place: Main Entrance of International Hub (IH)

· Program: Experience traditional recreational activities of each country with CUK students.

By: Abigail Go, GEO Blog Editor

Black Day: Korea's version of Single Awareness Day

April 14^th is Black Day. It is Korea's version of Single Awareness Day. People who didn’t receive anything on Valentine’s Day or White Day (in other words, people who don’t a boyfriend or girlfriend) gather together and eat jajangmyeon, a noodle dish with black bean sauce. The dish was created by Chinese immigrants living in Incheon about 100 years ago.

This is Gong-hwa-choon, the building in Incheon where jajangmyeon was first made.

It is no longer open, but the building may be renovated in the future.

Some students went to a Chinese restaurant around Catholic University and ate jajangmyeon. It was delicious. Michel Food also served the dish.

This is jajangmyeon. It is served in Chinese restaurants throughout Korea.

Some people also wear black clothes or go to a café and drink black coffee. Not all people who are single celebrate Black Day, and some people think that it is just a clever sales gimmick. But some students still celebrate the day anyway because it can be fun, especially for lonely singles! If you are single next year, why not celebrate Black Day with other single friends over a bowl of jajangmyeon? It might sound depressing but it can be fun as well.

By GEO Class 2-4 (Professor David & TA Stephanie)

It's another Candy-filled White Day

Men giving candies to women. This is another common practice in South Korea. A month after Valentine's Day, stores are full of sweets because during this time, it is usually the guy's turn to give something to the ladies who have given them chocolate on Valentine's Day. However instead of chocolates, men usually give candies to the ladies.This candy-filled day, more commonly known as the White Day is celebrated in Japan and South Korea on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day.

Students from GEO Class 2-1 share their White Day experiences:

YeongWoon:

This episode was last year when I was studying in an academy. All students in our class exchanged candy all day. I chose a girl to give candy to because I wanted her to be my girlfriend. Her personality was so kind and friendly. So I was excited and felt happy about myself. It was my first time giving candy to a girl.

GyungA:

March 14 is White Day in Korea. It is the day when boys give candy to girls. Because I have a boyfriend, I received candy on White Day. Before White Day, my boyfriend told me "I do not have any money. So I cannot give you candy." But on that day, he gave me candy. Although he gave me only one candy, I was still overjoyed.

JiYeon:

White Day is a day when boys give candy to a girl who is special. But I am a freshman and I do not like alcohol a lot, which means I do not go out after class. So I do not have many friends or special friends. But I was not disappointed, because I am a generous and cool person. Who knows maybe next White Day will be different.

JiHye:

Last White Day, I had no expectations, because I thought no men would give me candy. But something special happened. A guy who takes the same math class as me gave me candy. I asked him "Why are you giving me candy?" He said "Because today is Valentines day." I thought "Oh my God, he doesn't know what day it is." After all, he should know what day it was. But I was very glad to receive the candy. I expressed my thanks to him. I want to be close to him.

White Day is a special day. It is a day when boys give candy to girls to make them happy. Next year I hope to receive candy from a boy who is special to me.

SeongGun:

On White day I did not get enough sleep. When I woke up I remembered that I should give some candy to my mother and sister. I had a problem though. My mother and sister live in Yongin and I was staying in Yeokgok. I also had to go classes. The result was that I could not give any candy to my mother and sister on White Day because they were too far away. The good thing was that I gave them candy that weekend.

YongHo:

On White Day I did not give anyone candy because I did not have any extra money.

However, when I find a girlfriend, I will give her some really special candy.

HaNeum:

Actually, I did not think about White day and although I did not receive any candy, I was not sad because I have never received any candy on White Day. But to my surprise, my sister gave me candy and it made me feel great! ♥.♥

It made me realize how much I love my sister ~ ; -)

I did not give any candy to my sister then but when I got home that weekend, I bought her a special gift!

WooJin:

During White day, boys give candy to their lover or any girls. I have no boyfriend, so I did not expect to receive any candy. But that day, i received candy! Oh yeah! ^_^ But my feelings were not good, because l received candy from a girl, my older sister. But the candy tasted out of this world. It made me happy because I received 'one candy' and that is better than 'no candy'. I was happy on White Day.

SoHee:

White Day is like Valentine's day. Boys give candy to girls. It was funny though because I had forgotten White Day all day. When I was going to my Information Engineering club, I realized it was White day! When I got to the club, all the freshmen gave me candy. That candy made me happy, but when I returned to my domitory I felt empty because I do not have a boyfriend. Next year, I hope to receive tons of candy from my boyfriend!

SeungJae:

Since I was in middle school, I have not had a girlfriend so I hated White Day. But this year, I gave candy to my friends in Elementary school and I sent a love letter to my girl friend.

SoYeon:

After I finished studying, I went to the my a cappella club and practiced singing for a performance in May. After I finished practicing, I received some candy from friends and seniors. My feeling was nothing special because, they are just my friends. The person I truly wanted to give me candy is a senior in my club but I did not see him on White Day which made everything turn out ok. He thinks of me like a sister anyway.

MinGyun:

White Day is celebrated in Japan and Korea a month after Valentine's Day. Boys give chocolate and letter to girls. I did not have to give chocolate to somebody because I do not have a girlfriend yet but I am going to make one soon.

by: GEO Class 2-1, Professor Jerry Tumlinson & TA Angeline Lopez