Korean Experience for International Students 2012

Sitting in my lab, looking on the beautiful scenery from the window with raining outside reminds me all those moments I spend with beautiful and awesome people in KE IS (Korean experience for Internationals students) program in Gwangju.  Gwangju is the fifth largest city in Korea and has grown to become the central city of Jeolla-do Province. It is home to Mount Mudeungsan whose captivating mountain scenery throughout the four seasons is considered one of the most beautiful scenic views of Gwangju.As a major producer of rice, seafood, and other agricultural and marine products, Gwangju has been famous for its culinary traditions since ages past. One of the major events celebrating this proud heritage is the annual Kimchi Festival, which highlights the many virtues of kimchi, a staple food in Korea. Recently, the city of Gwangju has been expanding its program of cultural and art projects to include events like the Gwangju Biennale, F1 formula race, laying the groundwork for future international events.

 It was a beautiful morning of Spe13 when I met the organizers with having smile on their faces and the participants of KE IS 2012 with a passion and enthusiasm in their actions and the spirit to share some new experiences. There were more than 70 participants both internationals and Korean divided into 10 groups.  The opening ceremony was well informative. Mis Wheenwon Kim started the vent with welcoming words in  a very friendly way.  Mr Kim tae-Hyeong in his speech welcomes all the participants with the hope that they will enjoy every single moment of this program.  Mis ____ describe the details of the events and every visit of this program.

Gwangju International center (GIC) is non-profit organization for Korean and International residence to join together and collaborate on community building. The Korean Experience for international Students 2012 is to introduce Korean history, industries, culture and nature to international students. It is basically a chance for international students to explore the beauty of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do and for Korean students to reduce the gap with international students.

 Just after the opening ceremony we need to move to the first official visit of the day, the photonic industry. The promotional period of High-tech Science and Industry Cluster is from 1992 to 2011. The first complex completed in 1998 is the Korean first and best techno polis which has five big roles of research, education, industry, housing, and culture, and also a future-oriented industrial complex where R&D, new products development, software development, and mass production are carried out organically. Gwangju High-tech Science and Industry Cluster structured the plant, educational facilities, housing complex, commercial street and cultural communities, which make the advanced think tank of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and other institutes link the research results to the industry so that the competitiveness of a company may be elevated. There are Korea Association for Photonics Industry Development, Korea Photonics Technology Institute, Advanced Photonics Research Institute, ETRI (Electronics Telecommunications Research Institute), and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology as the institutes of photonics industry, and also Gwangju Design Center and High-tech Parts Material Research Institute for raising design industry and high-tech parts material industry.   

 The next destination was “Kimchi town”. Kimchi is a staple food in Korea that's made by fermenting salted Napa cabbage or radish in a mixture of seasoning consisting of red chili pepper, garlic, and green onion. Since kimchi is made using locally-produced ingredients and methods passed down from generation to generation, it can differ greatly by region. The kimchi of Gwangju and the Jeollanam-do area is characterized by its spiciness and abundance of seasonings. If you are in Korea you need to know about “Kimchi”. You also need to develop your taste for kimchi as every restaurant, hotel and in every home you will find kimchi to eat in breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had an opportunity to learn how to make kimchi for a closer look at the kimchi town of Gwangju.  First a teacher teaches us on how to make the kimchi and then we practice it at our own. It was a nice team work, where everybody was participating with full energy and interest as for most of the internationals it was first opportunity of making kimchi. Blending different ingredients, mixing spices and then applying those spices to cabbage was really interesting process. We also taste our own made kimchi, believe me “it was really good”. 

 My first experience of making Kimchi was really awesome. As many of my foreign friends have done it before and I have listen a lot about this, so it was my desire to make Kimchi which I get fulfilled today. The “Kimchi” was donated to some welfare organization and then we move to our next destination. Let me appreciate the efforts of the GIC, KE in organizing team. They did great home work for this event. Everything was well planned and well organized. All the way they were smiling and appreciating all the participants.

Our next destination was Gwangju biennale. It is the first biennale “manifestation of contemporary art” of Asia founded in 1995 celebrate 50^th independence day. It was founded in the memory of the inspiring moment of Gwangju in 1980. This time the theme is “round table” which exhibits six co-artistic directions. The art pieces exhibition in Gwangju biennale was impressive, attractive and worth recognizing the importance of working together. The artistic work from USA, Korea, Australia, Pakistan, China, India and Brazil was awesome.

                                 We had to move to Gwangju Dasan Education Centre, where we have to stay for overnight. We have dinner over there and we also eat some of the kimchi we made in the “Gwangju Kimchi town”. After half an hour of rest, all the participants were gathered in conference hall. We had a number of interesting games and activities. All these games were really a source of fun and amusement. Specially to draw the faces of team mates made every body smile.  Prize for the winning team make a kind of competition among all the teams which end of team 7. It was time to go bed as all the participants were very tired and we had another lovely day to explore Gwangju and srellananamdo.

A cloudy morning welcomed me as I opened my eyes. We have a quick breakfast and packing to start a new day with new experiences. Our first visit was planned to “Exhibition Hall of Dasan relics”. Dasan actually means, Tea Mountain and this museum is named after the jeong yak youg who was well known artist of the 18^th century. He was loyal to the king of his time and as a pragmatist he put his efforts to bring prosperity in Korea. He was imprisoned after the death of king. He wrote more than 500 books while he was in prison after king died. Because of his lots of efforts for the Korean society at that time people became fan of his personality and they still remember their hero. His name is a sign of dignity for the Korean people. This exhibition hall contains many things related to this great man of his era. Korean people still feels love and respect for this governor. I have given interview on my feelings after the visit of Dasan exhibition hall. As a matter of fact I was really impressed by this personality and his contributions for making Korea a more established and civilized nation.

Team-9 in Best snap Shot

Our next destination was “Gwangju celadon museum”. Gangjin-gun (강진군), in Jeollanam-do, is home to Goryeo Celadon (고려청자). It was produced in the area from the 9th to the 14th centuries. Gangjin Celadon Museum is the only Goryeo Celadon museum in Korea which contains a variety of pieces illustrating the shift Korean celadon had made during this period. I was quite crazy to make a pottery as this was my second chance and that my first chance was a failure…… anyhow that was an amazing opportunity. Before making our own pottery it was nice to see the past and present of Korean celadon. We were properly guided on how to make polish to decorate the celadon. During the workshop visit we had a chance to see how the artist convert simply clay into worthy shapes and convert them to artistic pieces. In the next part of the visit we had a chance to make our own poetry and that was really loveable and they promised that they will send our pottery back to us. We have a group photo and individually every team photo at this moment with attractive poses.



It was time to take a lunch at pork bulgogi restaurant but for the vegetarians like me there was a lot to eat. Especially the fish was really tasty and thanks to my groups they offered their own fish to me. We have to move to visit steel plant the Gwangju POSCO. In beginning it was just so-so for me but by visiting from the inside and watching the informative video about it, I found this visit very interesting.  I still remember the words of Guide from the POSCO, as she proudly said,’ ``We have experienced so many trials and errors until each of us found best visual planning solutions for their works, ``The Gwangju POSCO steel plant is second largest steel plant of Korea, fulfilling the main demands of steel in Korea. It works 24 hours and never stops as it has a waste boiler and furnace system. The history of the plant is very interesting as described by the guide because they made the ground first for such a big plant. We have a tour around the preparation of steel in which we observe the different stages of making steel. It was really very hot inside….

                      Our next destination was Suncheon bay, for which all participants were very excited. Suncheon Bay is described as the best wetland area in Korea. Suncheon Bay, home to Korea's best foreshore, is called the reed kingdom of Korea. The sunset at Suncheon is very famous and people from far away just come to see the sun set at this spot. The local government has made many observatories from where one can easily see the beautiful view of bay. Unfortunately it was cloudy weather with a little rain but it was still very cool to visit such a lovely place, the track of Suncheon bay was really nice where the track is covered by beautiful small and medium sized rice trees . Suncheon bay is the habitat of mud skipper like crabs, hooded crane, and various kinds of migrated birds.

Games 

                            Dinner was tasty as ever, this time with tofu. Every participant take lots of food as everyone was very hungry like me. And then we presented the first pre activity, which was to make ppt or share the most embarrassing and funny moments of our life in Korea. All participants shared their experiences. It created a real fun. Some of the participants showed their best moments as well, while they have a chance to meet the celebrities.  Just after finish the activity, we rushed to bed as we have to take rest before starting another day of travel.

Vegetarians Corner

It was a nice, cool and shiny morning when I get up. Just after the breakfast we need to move to the Naganeupseong folk village. Naganeupseong Folk Village is located in Jeollanam-do Province, and contains a town castle. Within the east, south and west of the castle, about 100 families still reside, and the castle area has been very well preserved. There are also 9 houses designated as important cultural resources, and numerous straw-roof houses as well. 

Naganeupseong folk village

The folk village’s other source of pride is the monument of General Im Kyeong-Eop (1594~1646). At every first full moon of the New Year, they hold a ritual ceremony and celebration at the general’s monument, with games such as seesaw jumping, swings, and other folk activities. To me it was like a village in my country, all the things were almost same, same streets, same homes, same living style, simple people and same warm heartedness. We experienced a demonstration of weaving, straw arts, experiencing farm implements, village animals and pansori. We have a chance to recall our childhood games like seesaw by playing them in the garden. We had a wonderful lunch in the folk village, tasty and full of traditional way of presentation.

Boseong

The Boseong  Dawon Tea Plantation is on the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsula. The temperate climate of this region is ideal for green tea cultivation. This plantation was established in 1957 with rolling hills reaching heights of 350 meters. Most of the tea is being produced in Boseong, so the area is called the “Home of Tea”. It is producing 40% of the tea in Korea. The leaves are picked 4-5 times a year. For those visitors hoping to see some of the filming locations of commercials and TV miniseries, it will take approximately one hour. The ideal months to visit are May-August. The green tea fields at Boseong are among the most famous in Korea. The tea trees blanket the landscape like a soft green carpet. The seamlessly perfect lines of 20-meter high cedar trees add even more charm to this already romantic setting. 

This view can be found at the entrance of the tea plantation and along an adjacent road to one of the tea fields. We had a wonderful walk along the tree plantation, although it was quite high track. The scenery of the Boseong was simply awesome, we take lots of photos. Especially on the top of observatory we had many group photos which are a source of amusement and memory for all of us. After hiking we enjoyed the ice cream, milk shake and many products made of green tea.

We were quite tired and thus moved to our destination the Gwangju Local training institute center, just after reaching we have to present the First pre-activity, which was to promote the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. Every group has their own way of presentation. Some groups showed their ppt presentations.  Some other groups showed their videos regarding the May 18 incident; my team 9 has presented the face book page about Gwangju and Jeollanam that we have developed specially to promote Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. We have showed on how we are promoting this part of Korea by sharing places, restaurants, hotels and many things.

Farewell Group Photo

Every team effort in this regard was impressive. Just after this all the teams presented their suggestions on how to improve the living of international students in Korea. The overall problems mentioned by the internationals were language, immigration, food, medical, discriminations and part time jobs. Most of the participants shared their personal experiences and problems that they faced in Korea as a student. It was really good opportunity to let the government know about the international students problems and to strive for their solution.   

Lovely Ones  

                               After this official work, it was time to enjoy, yes the networking party. Most of the participants were wearing their traditional dresses. The participation of all the students and organizers were worth watching. Every team was supposed to present their individual or team skills. The party begins with the team 5 performance when they present a dance with a song which is followed by a poem by Dani Harju after that Mr.Seong Cheol Kim presented his team with a beautiful Korean song with guitar. Everybody was full of energy taking juice, wine, snakes and rice cake.

Naganeupseong folk village

I have presented our Pakistani traditional “Attan Dance” followed by our team dance on “ Uppa Gangnam style” and then on request of all the participants we collectively perform dance on “Uppa Gangnam style” and everybody take part In dance this time which added a real fun to the evening.  After that Mr. Brown presented his team 2 with a beautiful song with Guitar. Mr.Jack Sithiphone represented his classical cultural dance. Team 4 with smiley Ki He Park presented their performance with Korean traditional “3 bears” songs and they performed it with everybody in the hall.

Team activities 

Amin win the hearts of participants with his beautiful song with guitar. Katrina presented a famous Russian song and then finally the KEIS organizers also performed a dance on request of all the participants. For a while; everybody forget that we are from different countries, areas and cultures. It seemed like we are just a single unit and a family with love, attractions, respect and participation.  We had a great time. Most of the participants changed their cultural dresses with other participants, the fun continues till late night; singing different songs, playing guitar, showing experiences and much more. It was around 3 AM when I went to bad.

Naganeupseong folk village

Today (Sep16) was the final day of our KEIS program.  Last night party made us very tired, so like all the participants I was lazy to leave the bed. However we have to watch a movie. Actually I was not interested in watching movie & I planned to sleep in the movie time. So all of us gathered in the hall, the movie was ` May 18 `. The movie was so interesting even from the beginning that I was unable to divert my attention even for single minute. My interest in movie like everybody, increased with the passage of time. It was actually related to the “Uprising of Gwangju”, the democratic movement which changed the history of Korea. The director of movie has showed his extreme skill by capturing the common stories of democratic movement of 1980.

                              I feel proud on the people of Gwangju on how they sacrificed for the restoration of democracy in their country, but at the same time I feel sorry for them, as they were under extreme curtsy of a cruel ruler. The movie ended with a hope for all & in particular for the people of South Korea. I feel myself today like a character of that movement even it has been two weeks, I watched that movie. I still feel warm when remember some of the scenes of the movie. Shortly after the movie we had a lunch and then we moved towards the” May18 Cemetery”.

GIC organizers... Love You all

May 18 Memorial

”. We were welcomed by the guiding team. We had a chance to watch a video about the happenings of May 18 in 1980. That video was very informative. Then we visited many places of the memorial including the monuments such as worship square, memorial gate, relief sculpture wall and others. Guide explained everything in detail.  Also, the exhibition hall provides further resources to better understand the events related to May18.  May18 democratic uprising is regarded as a symbolic movement that brought democracy in Korea. The role of Chonnam National University can never be neglected in that movement as it was the students of the Chonnam University who brought May 18 revolution. They were the first row in fight against the cruelty of president Park Jeonghee.  They stand irony against the military action in 1980 and thus gave a lesson of consistent struggle against the evil, till the last breath.

Gams...:) 

After the visit we come back to Gwangju International Center, the place from where we started our visit. On way back GIC; we were given a page to write the name, features or country of the best participant according to our opinion.  Shortly the closing ceremony started. Every participant was crazy to know about the Best Team and best Participant of the event.  

Chief GIC, A nice man 

KE IS has invited their director for the 
closing ceremony. He was a nice man. He really inspired me with the start of his speech by asking how much time we can give for his speech. He highlighted the happening of May18. Also he discussed the need for this program and the impacts of this KE IS 2012. It was the time to announce the most awaited events of the KE IS 2012. 

Receiving Prize from Kim Tae Jang, the Supervisor 

Cultural Night

Team 4 was selected as the best team of the KEIS, because of their team work, commitment with work, fulfilling all the pre-activities and their participation. The Best Participant award is given to me, Fakhar Khan because of my commitment to work, helping nature, making ppt for my team, participation in all activities. It was an awesome moment to collect the award, certificate. After this formal setting we have to write comments for our friends on “Rolling Paper”.  We also fill the feedback forms for KE IS event 2012.

My Lovely team-9

It was time to leave, although we didn’t want. But it’s a fact the time you spend with beloved ones can never be forgotten. I personally the real relation begin once you get to work place back and then you remember someone. What so ever the future will be, It is a fact we were like and we should be like a global family. Thanks to the Organizers of KE IS, Mr Kim tae-Hyeong, Mis Wheenwon Kim, Mr. Chae Hyunkyu, Mis. Wooyeon Kim, Mis Erica Seong Hee seol and infact Mr. Christian Cho for his nice photography and making our visits memorable and also to the Gwangju International center for such a nice opportunity. We may never be able to forget the people we met in this program. All Love to GIC and KE IS 2012. M gonna miss you all.

My Stuff

Receiving best Participant award