Visiting Yonsei University Intl. Campus (Songdo) for a Conference -1

I was at a conference which is currently taking place here at Songdo- a city built on a muddy / reclaimed land near the Incheon airport.

Songdo is designed to minimize energy consumption and pollution by a combination of design, architecture and information technology. This is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods I have come across here in Korea. I live in Pangyo (Bundang) which is considered as one of the most expensive and high-tech neighborhoods but Songdo has a cool architecture and a different aura to itself...though a lot of construction is still in progress...it is indeed impressive. Anyhow, we are staying at the dorms of the Yonsei University's International Campus at Songdo located at the Campus Town (right across from exit 2).

A dorm roon at Yonsei-Songdo

As the campus is newly built and I'm the first occupant of this room, smell of of varnish and paint is quite strong but its a room with a view and is very bright too. Designed to accomodate 2 students, it is centrally airconditoned and equipped with all that one might need as a student. This building is U-shaped and is connected with two bridges give it an  interesting look!

University of Incheon - Songdo

At 10 minutes drive from the Intl. Yonsei campus is the University of Incheon...which also has a beautiful and huge campus. This area is called the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) and will serve as a hub of local and foreign univeristy campuses in near future as well as economy and information technology. The University of New York and the University of North Carolina will be the next additions here and will open their campus by September of this year according to Joonang Daily.




Kim, Young-sam touring the Yonsei campus, source: joongang daily



 I am happy that I visited Songdo - an artificially built city with no history  of it own - nothing to hold on to but surely a bright future ahead. When I was an intern at the Incheon airport - it was always a hot topic of discussion amongst co-workers - their desire to live in Songdo or to send the kids to schools at Songdo...it is amazing to actually walk around this man made island crossing the beautiful and impressive Songdo bridge - the world's fifth largest supension bridge.

Yonsei Dorms at Songdo

Read a  fantastic article on SONGDO City here at the Independent..

I really enjoyed the venue, the city and the academic gathering at Songdo - my thanks goes to the organizing committee for giving us a chance to share different viewpoints and experience Songdo.



How to get to Songdo from Seoul?

1- From Gangnam station exit 3. walk straight for 3 minutes and at the first bus stop - wait for bus number 6405. This express bus will take you to Songdo. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes during rush hours and slighlty less otherwise.

2- From Seonbawi Station (Line 4) take exit 3. There is a bus stop stop on your right, wait for bus 6405. It takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to Campus town.

3- From Incheon airport: take bus 303..and get off at campus town.

4- One can also reach Songdo by subway and for that consult a subway map - it is hassle free but a little long trip to get to Songdo. 



Buzz Korea Trip1: Seoul Tour (Experiencing SSAM/쌈)

With Buzz Korea's Seoul Trip - we were taken to specialized Korean resturant in Insadong to taste Ssam (쌈) which means "wrapped," and refers to a Korean dish in which usually leaf vegetables are used to wrap a piece of meat, rice, soyabean paste and side dishes(반찬). So some of the highlights are ssamjang, topped with raw or cooked garlic, seasoned onion, green peppers and kimchi. This entire combination makes it one of the most loved and delicious foods in Korea.

Various combination of leaves are used but my favourite are lettace (상추) leaves and seasame leaves (깻잎). Ssam is served with many types of vegetables to accompany the grilled meat and it varies with taste depending on who likes what? - the most?

“Real Touch Korea Season 1. Seoul Tour” really made an effort that we physically touch, experience and feel Seoul and Korean culture. This simple idea started off with introducing Korea to bloggers and that idea was fantastic. These bloggers with varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and readership - can really buzz about Seoul in their own circles. At the same time, if you blog, FB or twitter you can be part of this exciting trip yourself through Buzz Korea website by just signing in with BUZZ KOREA.COM...

Well, the combination of a Samulnuri, dance class topped with rain...gave ssam an extraorinary taste...roasted meat with fresh, cripsy leaved topped with kimchi and banchan made this meal a little special as we shared it with other friends from Touch Korea Trip!

The entire trip was memorable and will stay with us for a long time to come.

HAEUNDAE BEACH (BUSAN) SETS A WORLD RECORD

Largest number of beach umbrellas @ Haeundae Beach sets world record in Busan, South Korea with 7,937 multihued parasols that turned the beige sand into a sea of blue, red, white and pink. Haeundae is the most popular summer playground and is always (over)crowded. It is reported that 300,000 people packed the beach.

Buzz Korea Trip1: Seoul Tour



Intro to Samulnuri: Korean Percussion

Finally, I joined the BUZZ KOREA’s Seasons 1 event of Seoul Tour. Have to do a detailed post on it later but here is a quick look of the day’s events.

Rain refused to stop and even though we had heavy thunder showers the previous night that continued by the time I left for the Seoul Tour for Bloggers…things started to get better - a positive indication. BUZZ KOREA team made every effort to make this trip a memorable one. It takes two to tango and hence, bloggers also made an effort to join in to explore Seoul - some of us took a day off from our classes (summer programs) while others from their work. Seoul Tour started with great vibes.

Best (L) and worst (R) janggu players of the day

Handouts, orientation, dividing bloggers into manageable teams, bloggers' self intro and refreshment were the first few steps before we head for a Samulnori experience- which took place at Gwanghwamun Art Center. Our teacher Mr. Seo did his best to make it one of the best among all three main categories - Janggu (traditional drum) was the main focus as it is the most unique among all the muscial instruments of Samulnuri. We became one by touching, feeling and experiencing the rythem of Janggu - I guess it touched everbodys' soul among Seoul Trip memebrs.. We all loved it, personally, Samulnuri has never ceased to fascinate and energize me in all these years. Teacher selected the best and the worst janggu players among us...we also learned the mask dance - it was very difficult yet interesting!

Afterwards, we moved for lunch to Insadong where we experienced "Ssam"...wrapping meat, rice, bean paste and sidedishes in different leaves, roll them and eat! A wonderful time that we spent  in experiencing the food culture of Korea and having a small contest of 'eating the biggest ssam bite' which was won by a Cambodian student - a funny yet interesting contest.

Last but not the least, we wento visit Bukchon Hanok - it was beautiful to see the traditional architecture fused with contemporay styles - a beautiful melange of east and went...this area was a Yangban neighborhood where the Korea nobles (yangban) used to live.

At the end of the trip we got memorablia from KTO...it was a wonderful trip organized by KTO - Buzz Korea and I guess, others must also join them through twitter, facebook and blogs!

I'm really thankful to KTO and Buzz Korea for making a unique effort to bring bloggers from around the world under one forum and provide opportunities to actually feel, touch and experience Korea.

Rains have refused to go away (Korean weather)!



My walking trek - all wet...



Koreans have been calling it a strange weather - which they have been experiencing recently - no wonder, these are the global environmental changes that have been making news around the globe as tsunamies, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, droughts, landslides and the list goes on - are the signs of warnings!!

 This year it has been raining for the past 2 months and the sun has refused to come out!

Farmers at work - preparing the fields for cabbage plantation (for kimchi).

 A new and the only store in this wilderness.... looks beautiful!!

My walking trek - that I will miss once I leave Korea ( particularly this neighborhood).

It shows that we have not been taking care of our planet earth as much as we should have!!!

Korea's Independence Day (15th August)

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Children voice their support for Korea’s 66th Liberation Day during a visit to Seodaemun Prison History Hall yesterday. The museum is located inside a former jail that colonial Japan used to imprison Korean independence fighters. (Photo:Joongang Ilbo)

 Korean Independence Day–광복절 (Gwangbokjeol: Restoration of light day) as it is called is the day when on August 15 in 1945 Japan surrendered to the Allied forces during World War II, thus ending the Japanese occupation of Korea. It is also called the Liberation Day. On this day, three years later in 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially established and Syngmen Rhee took oath as the first president of South Korea.

Many festivities and activities will be held today. All museums have free entry today. Concerts and programs will be held all over Seoul.  People  will hang national flag outside their main doors. It is a national holiday. I guess you would have noticed google's opening page that is showing Korea's flag also callled Taekukgi (Hangul: 태극기 /Hanja: 太極旗 )- in a googlish way!

On this day, I wish all Koreans Happy Independence Day!

Pondering on the Independence Day of Pakistan ( Azadi Mubarak)!

Introduction to Pakistan: A Class for Korean School Children

This years, we will celebrate the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan today and so I would like to wish all Pakistanies "Jashne Azadee Mubarak"!

On a positive note, I still have belief and hope that we will get through these tough times which are our own doing - we should not blame anybody for what is happening in Pakistan and with Pakistan. WE are solely responsible and to admit a mistake and to learn from it is in itself a new beginning.


At the age of 60 (or plus )  people retire or think of retiring but in the history of nations I would say, it is about time to consider coming-of-age. (Coming of age is a very important ceremony held at a mass scale in Confucian countries in East, Northeast and Southeast Asia. All high school students perform these ceremonies and it is thought that they will be more responsible. Coming - of - age signifies transition from childhood to adulthood).

Here I will refer to a book review by Dr. Hoodbhoy of  "Can Pakistan Work? A Country in Search of Itself" by Stephen Philip Cohen (2004). Though this book and the book review were published in 2004, it seems that it was written yesterday and not  7 years ago. Anyhow, he writes:

“Jinnah's Pakistan has grown weaker, more authoritarian, and increasingly theocratic. Now set to become the world's fourth most populous nation, it is all of several things: a client state of the United States yet deeply resentful of it; a breeding ground for jihad and al Qaeda as well as a key U.S. ally in the fight against international terrorism; an economy and society run for the benefit of Pakistan's warrior class, yet with a relatively free and feisty press; a country where education and science refuse to flourish but which is nevertheless a declared nuclear power; and an inward-looking society that is manifestly intolerant of minorities but that has never seen anything like the state-organized pogroms of India, Afghanistan, Iran, or China.”

Years down the lane, Pakistan – has suffered mainly due to its political leadership, wrong decisions and self vested interests. Things would have been different if we had stuck to what Mohammad Ali Jinnah - the father of the nation – in his first address at the meeting of Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 said:

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed; that has nothing to do with the business of the State. . . . We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.”

I will quote another author who said that "Pakistan has gone from a 'nation' searching for a country to a country searching for a nation".

It is about time that we focus on nationhood, on unity, on faith and descipline!

List of National Independence Days from around the world is here and those who got independence in the month of August include:

Afghanistan
Benin
Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
Colombia
Cote d'Ivoire
Ecuador
Estonia

Gabon

India

Indonesia

Jamaica
Korea (South)

Kyrgyzistan

Malaysia

Moldova

Niger

Pakistan

Singapore

Switzerland

Trinidad and Tobago

Ukraine

Uruguay

Hence Happy Independence Day to all of them!!

Himalaya Trekking (A Korean Viewpoint): 히말라야 산맥 여행



Pakistan's independence day is just around the corner (August 14th) and so is Korea's (August 15th) and therefore, while working for a project to do a presentation to highlight Pakistan for my Korean language classmates, I chose the mountain ranges of Pakistan. While searching Korean websites, I came across this website called Shoestring Tours - who have specialized in trekking, hiking, jeep safaris and expeditions to name a few  - to all three famous mountain ranges in South Asia - Karakorum, Himalayas and the Hindukush.

Team Korea to summit Broad Peak

It is interesting to see how this Korean company has highlighted a tour to the Northern part of Pakistan to its clients. Very beautiful pictures of Korean expeditions and tourists can be seen there. According to the company, Pakistan's North is the place where you can find the 8,000ers (peaks that r more than 8000 meters in height) - like K-2 (8,611 m) , Nanga parbat (8,125m), Gasherbrum 1 (G-1: 8,068m), Broad Peak (8,047 m ), and Gasherbrum 2 (G-2: 8,035m). This is the place where you can still create your own new routes to reach the summit and feel the excitement. Furthermore, one can travel the famous roads such as the silk road and the Karakoram Highway (KKH) to reach these spots where u can see the famous glaciers such as Baltora - as this is the region with the highest / biggest glaciers outside the polar region. KKH - the highest paved road in the world - connects Kashghar ( China) with Islamabad ( Pakistan) - a 2000 km long road which was once considered - to be a mission impossible and a project considered by many experts as unrealistic. KKH project started in 1959 and completed in 1979 - took over a thousand lives in 20 years - during construction of this road (810 Pakistanies and 200 Chinese engineers and workers). KKH also touches many points of the famous Silk Route and breathtaking scenery.

This site further talks about their jeep safari and explains as to how, where and upto what point you can take jeeps, ride cable trollys hanging with an an iron cable with icy river Indus flowing thousand of meters underneath these crossings and then how and when one must hire the porters. They mentioned that people are extremely freindly and talks briefly about Islam. All in all, the main idea is that one musn't worry about travelling in Pakistan particularly the Northern region and relying on the guides and trust will help anybody enjoy the trip slightly more.

Towards 8000ers

Well, as far as I know, Korea is a country where group tours are a part of life and are more popular - so Pakistan tourism agencies should work on attracting groups both big and small. Moreover, language barrier is one important factor - people prefer sombody who knows Korean. Koreans love  hikking, trekking, visiting buddhist sites and historic sites. I believe that if Pakistn's Ministry of Tourism develops a program keeping in view country specific programs- they can attract many tourists and create jobs in the region.

K-2

Fear of travelling in Pakistan is one of the biggest hurdles and people have no idea that Northern Pakistan is a safer area than any other place with high levels of stability and tolerance in Pakistan. So Pakistan tourism must do something to bust this myth and should create an air of safety and trust for its foreign tourists.

A guest house in Northern Mountains

A very important lesson is to actually go and see a place, a region or a country and experience it...internet and televison screens can not give you a whole picture. I'm very sure - that whoever  will visit Pakistan will cherish the memories of their trip for a long time!

Note: Kim, Chung-ho's (김상호 씨) story of reaching K-2's summit without the use of oxygen is here for Korean readers..
김창호 's says about K-2 that:

"K-2는 네팔과 많이 달라요.너무 가팔라요...."

Paragliding and other mountain sports at Nanga Parbat by Korean Teams is here.

Study in Korea (Part-3 / Korean Language Programs)

K-Pop or K-culture are the popular words one gets to see while searching for media, music, films, dramas and culture - related to Korea. With the Korean wave these are considered as the drivers of globalizing Korea. A very interesting part is the fact that in many countries, where Korean wave created tsunamis, people had no clue about the language whose programs or music they loved and could relate to..most of the time dramas were subtitled or dubbed. Countries like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Azerbaijan, Denmark, France, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia to Canada and the US - there is a growing interest in Korean media and hence, to know Korea which further developed into a desire to learn Korean language called "Hangul".

Many universities are offering Korean language programs (KLP)  for foreigners. Mainly two types of program are popular: KLPs focusing on conversation and the ones' used for academic reasons. Sogang university is popular with conversational programs and Yonsei university in academics. Many universities have a melange of two and some have interestingly further divided their programs for student coming from specific regions e.g. classes for Japanese and Chinese students (due to similarities with Korean, Hanja or classical Chinese characters) are separate from those coming from the rest of the world, however, the choice to choose which program to join is entirely left to the applicant.

Some of the popular KLPs in Seoul are at the following universities:

1. Yonsei
2. Sogang
3. Seoul National University
4. Kyunghee University
5. Ehwa Women's University
6. Sookmyung Women's University

Basically, there is no scholarship to learn Korean unless you are in a KLP of your home country and only then one is eligible to apply. MoU's between governments also bring language scholarships holders to Korea. NGOs and companies also send their candidates to study Korean language. In case you are a Korean Studies major or are planning to join one...at some stage you may apply for such a scholarship in Korea. Once you are in Korea - there is no scholarship to study Korean language at all...but do not get disheartened, while in Korea - you will have countless opportunities to learn and practice Korean language. Seoul Global Center and Korea foundation offers free classes of Korean language to the foreign residents (both children and adults) of Korea on regular basis in different levels after taking a placement test. Many universities, at times, offer classes for free for Korean language and one of them was Seoul City University. Social Network groups and NGOs also offer Korean language classes....hence, there are countless opportunities to learn Korean.

Personally, I have noticed that some of my friends who studied Korean at universities in cities outside Gyeonggi and Seoul area - learn Korean fast in lesser time because they could NOT find many people who would speak with them in English which is often the case in Seoul. If you try Korean outside the class - most natives reply back in English than in Hangul (Korean)...which could be very frustrating at times.

I studied Korean at Kyunghee and Sogang universities and my advice is once you start to learn Korean...don't quit in the middle but instead, try to finish at least 4 levels in a stretch. Furthermore, unless somebody has taken TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) - it hard to understand what level are you actually in. An intermediate level of one university with that of the other does NOT mean the same thing hence, when you learn Korean language my advice is : don't forget to take TOPIK step by step: that will bring you to the general standard of Korean language proficiency that the Ministry of Education of Korea requires...hope this will help!!!

TIPS

If I had an option of  "undo" in real life then I would have chosen this:

1- Study Korean in cities other than Seoul and Gyeonggi province.

2- I had taken TOPIK exam after passing each level.

3- I would have told people that : 영어 못해요! (I don't know English).

4- I had hanged out with Koreans rather than foreigners.

Last but not the least, knowing Korean language has surely made life much richer in many ways so try to stay positive ;-) .

Study in Korea (Part-2)

(Pic: Seoul National University Entrance)

In the previous post about 'Study in Korea-Part 1', I briefly talked about how the number of foreign students increased over the past 10 years or so, the types of visas and the major countries from where they have come from. This post will highlight how to get admission in universities in Korea and what majors these students enroll in? What are the important websites and scholarships in Korea for higher education?

If you are planning to come to Korea to study then you must know these:

• All foreign students in Korea, once accepted, get full or partial waiver of their tution fee depending on their major, the school that they choose and most important of all their grades(cumulative GPA).
• One must know that the scholarships for Korean language are available through a memorandum of understanding  (MOU) between respective countries and Korea. On individual basis there is no language scholarship available per se. If you are in a Korean Studies major - anywhere in the world - you can get a schoralship for language study through exchange between your home university and a Korean university...you better get info. on this at your parent university.
• NIIED and Korea Foundation are the two major organizations dealing with scholarships in graduate and post graduate studies in Korea. There are a few other organizations as well.
• Date of application for scholarships are either once or twice a year which is always specified. The reason is that admission are offered twice a year in Spring and Fall semesters.
• There are special scholarships for people working for the government, NGOs as well as education and research institues.
• For the list of universities in Korea visit the NIIED website and you will get a lot of information.
• For Masters and Ph.D, some universities offer programs in English entirely such as GSIS of Seoul National university, Yonsei university, Korea university, Sogang university, Kyunghee university etc.
• For undergraduate program, there are only a few universities that offer classes in English and the first such program that became an instant success was the Underwood Collge of Yonsei university established some 4 years ago. The trend is now getting popular.
• The most popular majors in humanities and social sciences among foreign students in Korea are business, finance, economics, politics, environment, peace studies, Korean studies and multicultural studies.
• The most popular destination of foreign students for natural sciences, computers, engineering and technology related studies- one must not forget KAIST located in Daejon - a little over an hour by bus or train from Seoul and about 50 minutes by bullet train (KTX).
• There are many other universities which are popular with a specific major...as I said before, go through NIIED or KF websites in detail.
• For more information contact the webmasters or the admission offices of NIIED, KF or the respective universities and you will surely get a reply.
• Email is the best and the most popular way of communication in Korea hence, email the concerend schools and departments without hesitation. You will be surprised that they are very helpful and fast in answering to your queries.

My next post ( Part -3) will deal with Korean Language Education in Korea...

Window Shopping - Bundang 2 Seoul (Pictures of the Day)

Study in Korea (Part-1)

From 2002 to 2011, the number of foreign students in Korea has increased manifold. At present, there are two types of visas (most frequently issued) being issued to students entering Korea : one is D-2 (regular visa for degree programs such as Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D) and the other is D-4-1 for Korean Language Learners (KLL).  There are some other visa categories specific only for exchange students, government officials coming to Korea on language training or companies both Korean and international sending officials for language training etc. to Korea.

As of April 2011, there are 88,670 foreign students in Korea and out of which China is the leading country with a representation of about about 69,000 students followed by Mongolia (4,611), Vietnam (3,130), Japan (2,083), United States (1,118), Uzbekistan (743), India (737), Indonesia (608), Malaysia (593), Bangladesh (587), Russia (557), Taiwan (543) and the Philippines (500) respectively. The remaining 6, 940 students represent the rest of the world.

If we look deep, the numbers above says a lot about why some countries have more educational exchanges than others. Main factors include Korea's economic and socio-political ties with these countries. China is Korea top trading partner followed by USA, hence, intertwined economies matter...that was once a debate that if we have Free Trade Agreements (FTA) or strong regional economic ties - that may ultimately lead to peaceful coexistence.

The list also indicates that most of the foreign brides also come from these countries and are driving the multicultural family wave in Korea which is a rather new concept in this so-called monoethnic country.

Foreign students in Korea are considered as a catalyst of globalizing Korean studies abroad....with the country's new agenda of 'Globalization of Korean studies' hence,  they are considered an asset.

Since Korea and particularly Seoul is mushroomed with universities - the hub of student's neighborhood is SINCHON in Seoul where 4 universities are at a walking distance from each other and can be rightly called as the student ghetto of Korea, in particular, when the semester starts, from September to March, this place is worth witnessing! It is extremely crowded and loud but also the most interesting. It is the same area, where the highest number of foreign students, highest number of Korean language programs and graduate schools are concentrated...

I will write about Sinchon later but nevertheless, don't miss visiting this place on your trip to Seoul!

PAKISTAN AND CLARE BRETT SMITH

MEN AND BOYS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, PAKISTAN 1979 is a book which is a combo of portfolio and travelouge written by Clare B. Smith while visiting Pakistan some 30 years ago. This book was published in 2010 and according to the author, "The photographs look as though they were taken two hundred years ago, not thirty years. Today it is one of the world’s most dangerous spots, bordering Afghanistan, it’s a tribal land and never, I think, very peaceful."

Some of the excerpts from her memoirs that interest me and make sense within the Pakistani context include her explaination of how being a 'middle -aged' woman gave her the liberty to do and go anywhere...

Her narrative of the trip to Gilgit, Hunza and Yasin is the most intersting because it touches my heart too and because I have  personally lived in Giglit and travelled ( a few placesz) in this region in 1980s. The friendliness of the local people and their smiling faces was one thing that I personally experienced some 20 years ago...I have heard that a lot has changed in Gilgit and Baltistan, I hope that in their case: this change is a positive one.

Anyhow, Ms. Smith further wrote that her desire to further see the great mountains such as  K2, Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi - thousands of feet above them and the orchards so far below, made their strenuous journey up the KKH exhilarating.

This book is a good read and fantastic photographs of Pakistan and Pakistanies some 30 years ago give us an idea about how things have or have not changed at all.

Vacancy: Professorships in Seoul

Candidates are sought for two visiting assistant professorship positions in the Department of Korean Studies in English at Sogang University in Seoul. Applicants should have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree by February 29, 2012, and be able to begin teaching in March 2012. The successful candidate will be given a renewable three-year contract with the possibility of evaluation for a tenure-track position after the termination of the contract.

The teaching load will be four courses (twelve hours) per year. Starting annual salary will be between 53 million and 60 million Korean won (about 50,000 to 56,000 U.S. dollars) according to the candidate’s credentials and experience, plus a subsidy to cover housing costs for the first year. Benefits include bonuses, research grants, health insurance and pension.

Candidates should submit a short letter of application, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, a published article (or dissertation chapter), a recent recommendation letter, and a mission statement (about developing a Korean studies program). All documents should be e-mailed to korean_studies@sogang.ac.kr by August 26, 2011.

After evaluation of the applications, candidates will be contacted for teaching demonstrations and interviews.

Additional information about Sogang University is available on the Web site: http://www.sogang.ac.kr/english

Questions about the positions and the application process can be addressed to Professor Jae H. Roe: e-mail goabroad1@sogang.ac.kr.

Back 2 Korean Language

Korean language or Hangul (한글) is one of those languages that you may learn in a few minutes....I mean to read & write...but the reality is: the more you study it gets difficult!

There are languages within a language such as Hanja and then differnt speaking styles with respect to different age groups hence, life is difficult but nevertheless, interesting. I will share a few words as well as proverbs that would be helpful for Korean language learners particularly when you are with your Korean friends & wanna label them (for fun)!!

Accoring to our professor, the easiest way to learn Korean is to live it and use it as often as possible. :-)

Here is the list..

문제아: Problem child

앞뒤가 꽉 막히다: Narrow minded/to lack flexibility

공붓벌레: bookwarm

모범생: outstanding student

말썽꾸러기: trouble maker

육심쟁이:greedy

심술쟁기: grumpy

개구쟁이: mischievous child

잠꾸러기: sleep or dizzy  person

장난꾸러기: mischievous child

지각대장: late commer

왕따: loner

뚤뚤이: clever child

청개구리: one who doesn't listen to parents

강심장: strong hearted

PROVERBS

산 넘어 산: One obstacle after another

우물 안 개구리: Frog in a well

하늘의 별 따기: Picking a star in the sky

갈수록 태산:  From bad to worst

Seoul: Festivals in August 2011

There are many festivities waiting for people to take part in during the month of August. One such festicval is the 'Our Neighborhood Concert to be held at Seoul History Museum on August 5th.

Another festival is: '2011 Vacation Film Festival' which will kick off on August 5 to Aug.11, 2011 at the Cheonggechon Museum Auditorium.

Last but not the least is the Gugak Concert (traditional Korean music) from Aug.11 to 14, 2011 at the Namsan Theater and another musical performance is the Open Air Ice- Nanta at the Dongdaemun History and Cultural Park.........

Don't Miss!!

photocredit@KoreaTimes

Ramadan Mubarak from Seoul!

Ramadan (the month of fasting for muslims) has just begun today. Fasting as one of the important pillars of Islam, consists of abstaining from food and drink from dawn (day break) to dusk (sunset). It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds. One of the important goals of Ramadan is to highlight the life of the poor- who have nothing to eat & hence, make us understand what one goes through. Alms and charity is given in this month.

From sighting of moon of Ramadan to that of Eid Al Fitr - every day is memorable. Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan which accroding to the Islamic lunar calender is the  9th. month. Special prayers, extensive reading of Quran, special food for iftar (breaking fast) is the main highlight of Ramadan. Lailatul Qadar and the last 10 days of Ramadan are of utmost importance and overall, various cultural aspects are associated with Ramadan - makes it a special month for all muslims.

When it is Ramadan, it brings back unforgettable memories of the previous years, of people (especially those who are not with us anymore), gatherings of family and friends, celebrations, shopping, excitement...

My best Ramadan were the ones when I was very young and our whole family was still living under the same roof....several factor have thrown us continents apart...this hurts the most and of course, make us feel nostalgic of those good, old days.

Central mosaque (masjid) of Seoul has a modest iftar arranged for all those who want to break their fast and pray - usually coming from far flung areas of Korea and at times visitors from other foreign countries. Some restaurants also offer free iftar to its customers here in Seoul in Itaewon area.

The salat /namaz times for Seoul (South Korea) during August (Ramadan) can be found here.

Wish everyone a gracious and joyous Ramadan!

Photo credit for pic. below@Raja Islam