Dear 32 year-old me...

Dear 32 year-old Jin-seon,

Hi! Jin-seon. I feel kind of shy and awkward to write a letter to you. I wonder how you will be living. What is your job? I think it would be related to tax and finance. Because the 22-year-old of you is now studying tax and accounting very hard! Surely, you have your license of tax accountant, how about being a CPA? I hope you have all of the licenses. :) I wonder where do you work now. At your own office,  accounting firm, or the tax office? Wherever you work at, I think you would do well . And I want you to continue the hobby of drawing. No matter how busy you are, Keep drawing. I think enjoying your work and hobby is better than just focusing on your work.

I think I would get married when in my 30's. How about you? Did you get married? Do you have any children? I can't imagine that you are a mother of someone. If you have a child, I hope you'll be a good mom (Like our mother :) ) I know it is hard to be a good mom and productive worker, but I think the two characters are not mutually exclusive. You can do it!

I have many other questions for you, but that's it for now. Take care!

Sincerely yours,

22 year-old Jin-seon

Jin-seon Jeong is in Professor Stephen's class, 3-2. She is a student for GEO Intensive 30.

A Night of Treasure & Fun...JGEO2 Treasure Hunt

JGEO2 Treasure Hunt was very exciting and fun. The students got to enjoy two rounds of activities during the night. First, is the JGEO2 Mission Possible Series, and the second set is the JGEO2 modifield version of Running Man which was named the Walking Man. 

During the JGEO2 Mission Possible Series, students had to go through series of stations to complete the missions. 

 1. Story Board c/o Prof. Johan & Alessa

‚ 2. Be the One (Numbering) c/o Ye Young

ƒ 3. Shake It Up c/o Keith & Ilene

 4. GEO Station c/o Jinu 

„ 5. Paint the Picture (Pose game) c/o Colin & Kerwin

… 

For the Walking Man, the rules of the game is the same with Running Man. The main mission is  to detach other team members’ name tags. The pairs (‘one girl – one boy’ pair game) were tied with paper handcuffs. If the paper handcuffs are torn apart, the pair will be out. So it is important that they hold hands all the time.

The students enjoyed the night... 

Congratulations Team USA and Team UK｡◕ ‿ ◕｡ 

Check out the photos to get a glimpse of what transpired...

JGEO2 student Yeong Han poses with TAs Abby, Kerwin & Enrique 

Team UK strategizing for their Story Board

Organizing the numbers to form the number one.

At the Shake it up station

(in the GEO Station) TA Keith and TA Collin giving instructions to students 

Diligently answering the questions posted by TA Keith and TA Collin

One of the activities are Paint me a picture on the beach...

Here's what the students did...

Enjoying beach volleyball.. Yey^^

Let's play with water

Just keep swimming...  Just keep swimming...

Sun bathing anyone?  ｡◕ ‿ ◕｡

Even on the beach, Koreans indeed love SELCA (Self shots)

And the ROUND 1, Winner is...

Yey...  (●＾∀＾●)

Winning the cup ^^

UK and USA flags ^^

And here's the pictures of the JGEO2 Walking Man Edition...

While preparing for the game, students backside were posted with the name sheets

Holding hands... (Team USA )

The winners of the Walking Man... Congratulations Team USA ^^

Check out JGEO2 Photos here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.456917741009127.106794.134434393257465&type=3

by: Abigail Go, Blog & SNS Editor

Learning is Fun in GEO-M Nursing

One week came by so quickly for GEO-M, English for Nursing Program, another program of Global English Outreach (GEO) International Language Education Center of Catholic University of Korea. This program started last June 25 and will run until July 6. For the past week, there were a lot of activities that occurred. There was orientation and opening ceremony held last June 25, team building activity, quiz show and hospital field trip. Not to mention the engaging classes that Professor Johan, Professor Patrick and Professor Jason prepared for us with the help of our reliable teaching assistants Sasha, Porter, EJ and Yumi.

It was indeed fun learning English with the GEO team. The students enjoyed learning practical English through the class modules prepared - Hospital English, English in Action and Conversation Strategies. The past week was indeed a great experience. Students are looking forward to the week ahead, anticipating the scavenger hunt, group presentations and class activities in store for them. Indeed, Learning is Fun for GEO-M Nursing students.

Notes:
GEO-M, English for Nursing is designed to improve the communication skills and specialist English language knowledge of healthcare professionals, enabling them to work more confidently and effectively. With an emphasis on listening and speaking, the course covers core areas of nursing such as patient admission, taking medical specimens, patient handover, post-operation assessment and discharge planning. Authentic tasks and activities based on everyday nursing scenarios - from dealing with patients in pain to discussing lifestyle changes - make the course relevant and motivating. The course also features online activities which focus on the latest advances in nursing technology. These help to keep nurses up-to-date and confident when faced with unfamiliar equipment in new environments.

Interesting GEO 16

GEO (Global English Outreach) program has a lot of interesting activities.

The first thing is the Global Lounge visits. In Global Lounge, we have our OBF (Of the student, By the student, For the student) meeting and Foreign Teaching Assistant (FTA meeting). During my first OBF meeting, I thought it will be very difficult for me, but it wasn't as complex as I thought it would be. The OBF masters didn't use a lot of highfalutin English words. In addition, the topic we discussed about was very familiar. For instance, we talked about what I am expecting for my university life, school club, etc. At present, I already finished two OBF meetings. I hope that I will be an OBF master some day. For the FTA meeting, it was actually a little difficult for me since FTA meeting involves English conversation with foreigners. Nonetheless, it is more thrilling than OBF meeting since we share a lot of things and learn about different culture.

Check out the Global Lounge notice board regularly to be updated of the schedules.

You can also enjoy watching movies and reading books at the Lounge.

The second thing is the Speed Quiz. During the second day of GEO program, we had a Speed Quiz team competition, playing with teammates. I saw and did a lot of Speed Quiz in Korean, but speed quiz in English was the first time for me. So I was very excited. Speed Quiz, not only did we solve quizzes but we also cheered for the team. Each team's cheer was very different, and each team looked very promising. I am happy that my team, Guyana, placed 3rd in Speed Quiz.

All ears. Everyone was paying attention to their teammate during the Speed Quiz

The third thing I want to share is the Treasure Hunt. During the fourth day of G.E.O. program, We had the Treasure Hunt team competition. It's a game with a series of missions. We should collect clues to advance to the next station. There were various tasks such as dancing, drawing, guessing and walking the runway a.k.a. fashion show, etc. It was very interesting and everything was done in a hurry since it is each team’s goal to finish the race first. Luckily, our team Guyana garnered 2th place. I think it is one of the best in GEO program.

Indeed, GEO program has a lot of program. They are all interesting and fun. I really like G.E.O.

Team Guyana. Fight Fight Fight!!!

by Jung Min Lee from GEO Class 3-1 (Professor Nathan and TA Bo Mi)

Why is G.E.O. program popular and effective for Korean students?

Many students are participating in Catholic University's G.E.O. (Global English Outreach) program.

Why is it so popular?

Because G.E.O. program is very effective for Korean students. So many students are applying for the G.E.O. program.

There are several specific reasons...

Students are not only encouraged to think independently.

Through the classroom and various program activities, they are also encouraged to speak up.

First, Korean students want to build their confidence in English speaking. Koreans are good at English writing and grammar, but they can't speak English very well. Since they hardly had the chance to speak English in primary and middle school and even in high school, they don't have confidence in speaking English. But G.E.O. program focuses on improving their ability to speak English, helping students be more confident and comfortable in using the language. The students are expected to always speak in English, not Korean, wherever they go, whatever they do (even inside the dormitory). Students who use Korean in the course receive the penalty that takes off their team points. So G.E.O students always think of English words or sentences in conversing with peers. Hence, it becomes a habit for them. This course enables students to develop their English speaking skills.

Second, the government admitted that G.E.O program is very good program for those who want to speak in English. They recommend this program. Instead of going abroad, students can enjoy a globalized learning environment in the midst of their home country. They can meet a lot of foreigners and enjoy a bunch of activities during the course. Indeed, after finishing G.E.O. Level 5, students will absolutely be confident and will be able to converse well using the English language.

Various GEO activities in store for you -

Club activities, Team competitions, GEO radio, Global Lounge visits

Third, G.E.O foreign professors are so kind and passionate. Students are satisfied with their classes. Their classes are of high quality and are very useful. Moreover, teaching assistants who are called 'TAs' are also readily available to aid students. When you have a problem, the TA will help you. They are very able and reliable individuals who are willing to assist students. They are very approachable. Surely, this is an added bonus the GEO students. Not only did they gain capable teachers, but they also had new foreigner friends.

Hardworking and engaging professors that facilitate the GEO classes

Finally, since the Catholic University supports around 70% price of the tuition fee, G.E.O program is very cheap . Not only that, consider the comfort of learning English in your home country. You don't need to go abroad to pay a fortune. The G.E.O program is much cheaper and more effective than that of other countries.

In summary, I think that grammar and writing skills are less important than speaking and listening. When you visit any country or meet a foreigner, which ability do you need first? Grammar or writing? No. First of all, you need to speak in English. That is why, for me, speaking ability is the most important among the four skill sets. Therefore, it is but only beneficial to enroll in the G.E.O. program as this is a very effective and necessary course for Korean students. So what are you all waiting for? Please, don't be afraid of speaking in English, Enroll and encourage your family and peers to take part in CUK’s GEO classes. ^_~

Go and apply for G.E.O.! It will change your future.

by Kim Jin Soo from GEO Class 3-2 (Professor Roger and TA Jeanne)

Great Activity Suggestions You Can Enjoy with Family & Friends

Class 4-2 shares wonderful activities that you, and your friends/ family can enjoy this Spring season. You can enjoy these activities even during Summer and Fall season too.

Hiking

During spring season, Cherry Blossoms and other beautiful flowers like the Magnolia usually bloom, and you can witness them mostly in mountains and hills. Not only hiking is a very good exercise for the health, it also makes you appreciate more the nature.

Dormitory residents from Catholic University of Korea (CUK) enjoy hiking in Bukhansan

Picnic

This is the most perfect activity that you could experience with your family. Having a picnic during spring time makes you feel relaxed, and gives you more good times with your family members. In a picnic, it is nice to prepare your own food such as sandwiches and blended fruit juices. Simply sitting or laying on the grass with a cloth while enjoying the company of your family members, and the prepared food and drinks is indeed a very comfortable time that you could spend every spring.

Good times --- Outdoor picnic with friends ^_^

Outdoor Sports

Frisbee, golf, badminton, and soccer are one of the activities that you could enjoy with your friends and family. Playing sports has always been recommended for the health. During spring time, not only you are able to exercise physically, you are able to feel as well the fresh atmosphere and breeze of spring at the same time. Therefore, the combination of playing outdoor sports and appreciating the breeze of spring will make you feel very energetic.

International students residents playing frisbee at "Teletubby Park" on a sunny afternoon

So what are you waiting for? Call your family and friends and engage in these great activities now!!! ^_^

By Class 4-2 (Professor Peter & TA Jonathan)