The Han River...

Although the Han River is not the longest river in South Korea, it is relatively well-known because of its location. However, there are technically two Han Rivers. One is the "Namhangang" (South Han River) and the other is the "Bukhangang" (You may have guessed it...North Han River.) Both originate in mountains in North and South Korea and come together to form what most people refer to as simply, "The Han River," which runs through South Korea's capital city. The Han runs into the Yellow Sea in the West, but not before passing by the DMZ.

Many cities in the world have rivers that run through them. Seoul has formed many river walks and parks in different spots throughout the capital and there are also festivals that are often held near the river.

If you take a taxi or a long distance bus towards the outskirts of Seoul, there is a good chance that you will cross one of they many bridges that go over this river. Seoul also has several subways that go over the river. It may not sound exciting, but especially at night or during a clear sunset, the view can be particularly breathtaking. The subways that cross the Han are as follows :
Line 1 : Yongsan <--> Noryangjin
Line 2 : Gangbyeon <--> Seongnae, Dangsan <--> Hapjeong
Line 3 : Oksu <--> Apgujeong
Line 4 : Ichon <--> Dongjak
Line 5 : Yeouinaru <--> Mapo, Gwangnaru <--> Cheonho
Line 7 : Ttukseom Resort <--> Cheongdam

See the photos below for a Hangang Adventure!Upon arriving at one of the Han River parks, we saw families and young couples already enjoying themselves.

There are several boats docket (and moving) on the river. Some serve as restaurants, others are "water taxis" to transport people from West to East or vice versa
Arches under one of the many bridges crossing the Han.
A walk on the Han is a nice way to relax (or a good spot for a romantic date :D).
You might notice a few things from the last series of pictures. A.) Lots of workout equipment on the banks of the Han. B.) Totem poles meant for decoration and getting your balance on. C.) Rebecca couldn't do a pull up to save her life. :D

A eye pleasing sunset.

Sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_River_(Korea)

Food in Korea -- Samgyetang/Dakdoritang

Samgyetang/Dakdoritang

The summer is approaching and in Korea, that means many things. Regarding food, it means that it is almost time to eat samgyetang (삼계탕) and dakdoritang (닭도리탕). Both dishes are specialties that are eaten in the summer, but are not limited to this time of year. Even though it is typically very hot and humid in Korea during this season, these two dishes are a great treat!

First, samgyetgan, is primarily made of a whole young chicken and ginseng in the broth. It is thought that the nutritious values of samgyetang are especially healthy in the summer because they replace nutrients loss through sweat. The broth is quite strong and consists of ginseng, garlic and ginger. The chicken is boiled and stuffed with rice, all of which soaks in the flavors that the broth has to offer. Koreans tend to eat this dish on the three hottest days of the year : Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. Look for specialty restaurants that serve this chicken and ginseng soup.
Finally, dakdoritang. Recently there has been a push to change the name of this dish because of its Japanese origins. Koreans have moved to call it "dak bokkeum," but the moniker has yet to stick. This is quite spicy, especially in comparison to its special friend, samgyetang. Dakdoritang is composed of braised chicken, potatoes and sometimes carrots, onions and zucchini. The broth is a combination of chili pepper paste, garlic, sugar, black pepper and soy sauce. Because the broth is a wee bit spicy, it makes a perfect match with a side of rice, which also makes the dish extra-filling!
For all you picky eaters out there, I am also in the "picky club" and I actually like both of these things. Go ahead and try these dishes in the summer...winter, fall, or spring!


Sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samgyetang

http://paintroller.blogspot.com/2007/04/dakdoritang-koreas-answer-to-freedom.html

Nightlife hotspots : Itaewon

Itaewon

Itaewon has been a nightlife hotspot for quite some time now in Seoul. It is just around the corner from one of the main American military bases and has been the hangout spot for not just Americans, but many foreigners. Proof is found in the multitude of restaurants offering international cuisine, opened by expatriates of Korea. Take your pick from Austrian, French, Persian, Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean, and many more varieties of food for a nice night out for dinner with friends or a quick bite to eat before hitting the bars. (One of the editor's favorites is Chez Meili, which offers a great, authentic Austrian menu.
As far as bars go, there's quite a few to pick from in this approximately 2 mile stretch of things to do. There's the Wolfhound Pub and Rocky Mountain Tavern for more of a "pub" feel. Gecko's and Helios offers a sports bar and grill atmosphere. For more of a "club" ambiance, try Cancun, King Club, or UN Club. My personal favorite, is Reggae Pub, owned and managed by a more than amicable Korean named Lim. If you're into reggae roots and culture, Reggae Pub is where it's at!Many of these establishments offer drink specials (to the ladies in particular) starting on Thursday nights, which are the infamous "Ladies Nights." Hit up one of these places in particular to take advantage of the free drinks, or hit up all of them for a bar hopping night. Either way, Itaewon is a pretty lively and fun place for a night out on the town.

Getting to know Korea : Taking the subway

Taking the subway

Even though Seoul is the capital and by far the largest city in South Korea, it is not the only metropolis to have a subway and public transit system. In addition to Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju all have subway systems. They may not be as vast as the one in Seoul, but nevertheless, they exist.

If you're not accustomed to taking the subway, not to worry. The Korean system is relatively easy to figure out. In the beginning, you may want to map out your route prior to leaving. It's sometimes easy to get turned around in the hustle and bustle of the crowded subways. This will prevent you from ending up somewhere you didn't at all intend to go. Before hopping on the subway, be sure to know which "direction" you should be going. Each line has a terminating point where the trains don't go any further. Look for the name of this stop on the signs found suspended from the ceiling on the platform. Know where you are and know where you want to go. Be sure to follow the signs (in Korean and English) according to the correct "directions."

In the smaller cities, this may not be such a difficult thing to do. However, in Seoul, there are soon to be more than 10 lines going in all different directions. If you are in Seoul, it is definitely a good idea to map out your route while you are getting adjusted. Sooner or later, you'll get the hang of it!

See below for maps from the major cities that have subway systems.

Seoul
Incheon
Busan
Gwangju
Daejeon
Daegu

Good luck navigating! Remember...if you get lost, just find a map! They're everywhere within the station. From there, you'll undoubtedly be able to find your way!

Teacher's Day in Korea...

Teacher's Day is coming up! Just as your students had their special day earlier this month, now you, as a teacher have a special day just for you! Teacher's Day originated as a holiday for students to visit their sick and/or hospital-bound ex-teachers. Nowadays, it's meant for teachers sick and healthy. On May 15th, students and their parents will often offer their current and/or former teachers gifts. The gifts will often be carnation flowers among other things.

Most schools embrace Teacher's Day, although there are some that frown upon teachers accepting gifts for fear of bribery and favoritism among students. In any case, Teacher's Day is a fun way for students to show their respect and admiration for their teachers.

FAQs...Part 3

Here is just another one of the many FAQ blog entries. Keep your eyes open for the next segment.

* Why am I getting SO many emails from people I don't know that supposedly work for HandS Korea?
You most likely have received an overwhelming amount of emails from one or multiple HandS Korea team members. No, these emails are not to annoy you and fill up your inbox. Our goal in sending them is to give you some information on various aspects regarding Korea, so that if you have never been to Korea, you have at least a glimpse of what to expect. We also hope that it will ease your transition into Korean society. Of course, if you have additional questions, you are more than welcome to email us. We're more than happy to answer any of your questions!
* What is it like working with HandS Korea? How many teachers work for you?
Just to clarify, HandS Korea is a consulting firm. This means that we're not a school, but that we work with schools all over Korea to help them find native English speaking teachers. Our mission is to help sufficiently motivated and qualified native English speaking teachers find positions here. In short, NO teachers work for HandS Korea, but rather with the schools with whom we work in cooperation. (P.S. Working for HandS Korea is GREAT!)

* I don't have a 4 year bachelor's degree. Am I still eligible to teach English in Korea?
Unfortunately, the answer is generally no. There are some exceptions (they are few and far between), but nearly all schools, hagwon and public, prefer that their teachers hold at least a 4 year bachelor's degree. Certificates, diplomas or other degrees are not usually accepted by the schools as a sufficient amount of education to teach for them. If you are still highly interested in teaching in Korea, there is an option with the some Korean public schools. There are fewer positions free and a lower salary is provided. If you are interested in this possibility, please contact a HandS Korean team member.

* How often will I get paid?
All the schools that we work with distribute paychecks monthly. This means that upon arrival, you will not receive a paycheck until one month after. It may be a good idea for you to bring some money ahead of time just to get by for the first month. Foreign debit and credit cards are accepted in most stores and many ATMs also accept foreign cards. Banks will often do currency exchanges and there are usually many cash exchange places in tourist areas. On occasion, a school will allow for a partial cash advance on your first paycheck. If this is something you feel you would need, please let one of us know and we will discuss it with your school.

* Will I have to drive from school to school daily in order to do my job?
No, you will absolutely not have to do any kind of driving in order to get to work. (Unless you decide to purchase a scooter. In which case, you would be drive yourself!) Your school will find you an apartment within close proximity and in most cases, within walking distance to your school. Any other transportation on your free time will be up to you. Don't worry too much about transportation because it is pretty cheap here!

Children's Day in Korea...

Children's Day in Korea is a highly anticipated holiday for kids across the Korean peninsula. It arrives every year on May 5th and is special because it means fun times with family, gifts, and most of the time, no school! Parents will often take their kids to the zoo, amusement parks, or museums and offer their children gifts to their liking.
As an English teacher to Korean youngsters, you are by no means obligated to give your children gifts. In fact, some schools may frown upon it. If this is not the case, then you might want to think about coming to class that day with some small kind of treats to reward your students for the massive amounts of hours spent in and out of the classroom studying.
The holiday originates from the time of well-known author, Bang Jeong-Hwan, who believed in creating this special day for kids to enjoy their childhood to the maximum. He believed so firmly in this because he felt that children are the future of this nation and should learn respect from their elders.

Sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Day#Korea.2C_Republic_of
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=408337