Did you know that there is a phenomenon involving wild geese from Korea coming to the USA (and other countries where English is the native language) to improve upon their English language abilities?
Okay, Okay, so it's not ACTUALLY wild geese flying with their own wings coming to terrorize and his at native English speakers in order to scare the living daylights out of unsuspecting Anglophones and gain knowledge of the English language. Kind of sounds like an alien invasion when you put it like that. It's actually Korean mothers and children who are sent to America, still with the ultimate goal of becoming the best English speakers they can, while the father stays in Korea to work as much as he can to support his family abroad.
There recently was an article on CNN.com regarding a new English education city on Jeju Island. There have been other "English/International cities" opened in Korea, but this one has gained international media attention. The goal was to create a place that offered quality and immersive English education to Koreans in order to make this "wild geese" phenomenon obsolete. The idea of the city is to create a city in which almost all schools are taught in only English. This would ideally help students to learn English by being immersed, but without having to leave the country. The allure in this is that parents want their children to have a solid English education, but feel the best way to do it, is to send them to an English only location. Now, they won't have to spend as much and be separated from their families by a major body of water!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Gimbap Cheonguk (김밥천국)...
Gimbap Cheonguk = Gimbap heaven!!! These little restaurants can be spotted all over Korea. They are a great place to find some cheap Korean food. As mentioned in the restaurant's name, gimbap is one of the major things that are offered. However, there's a wide variety of other dishes available. For example (but not limited to), different kinds of bokkeumbap (볶음밥)--fried rice, jiggae (찌개)--stew, dapbap (닾밥)--spicy fried rice, and much more! *See the pictures below that correspond to each type of dish respectively!
These restaurants are generally a bit small and often crowded during typical lunch and dinner times, so seating can be somewhat limited. It might be a good idea to ask for take out and eat it in a park if it's nice or indoors. However, generally earlier or later than rush hours are an ideal time to hit up these Korean restaurants.One downside to Gimbap Cheonguk is the options for those who love Korean food, but are limited in their abilities of reading the Korean language. The menus consist of small pieces of paper with all of the dishes listed in Korean. If you're not the adventurous type, you may want to go there prior to your first eating experience there and ask for a menu. Then, take it to a Korean to ask him/her for the translations of each thing. For the more daring, you may be interested in the "point and select" method! (A grab bag if you prefer!)
Gimbap Cheonguk is a place frequented by many and offers a good variety Korean cuisine for those who are looking for a good, hearty meal on a budget!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Arirang TV
As you know already, the majority of the schools that HandS Korea works with, provide televisions for their teachers in their apartments. From time to time there are some foreign movies and television shows that are aired on the Korean broadcast networks. However, the majority of the programs are in Korean and most of the time are without subtitles. Sometimes a Korean drama may catch your eye, but because of the lack of subtitles, watching it and knowing exactly what's going on can be difficult.
Arirang offers a solution to this problem. Arirang TV is operated by the Korean International Broadcasting Foundation and has been around since 1996. It offers documentaries, cultural features, language learning programs and much more for the foreign population located or interested in Korea. The word "Arirang" comes from one of Korea's most popular folk songs.
Some highly watched shows on Arirang that you might want to check out are : Arirang News, Showbiz Extra, and Heart to Heart. The news programs are means to learn about up-to-date domestic and international headlines from a Korean perspective. To see a list of all the shows past and present, click here.
The Arirang TV website also provides a sort of TV guide with what programs will be showing at what time. Even if you don't have a television set, you can watch Arirang TV using your computer and an Internet connection. Just sign up when you arrive at the home page and you have access to all the programs that Arirang has to offer!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Enter the cage...
Batting cages in Korea
Had a long week at work? Did the kids seem extra wild this week? Would you swear it was a full moon by how things have been going? Or just plain stressed? Well, you don't really need a good reason to go to the batting cages, but if you've got one that's OK too. Either way it's a cheap, fun way to relieve some stress and hit the crap out of a baseball.
Batting cages are EVERYWHERE in Korea. For a better chance of finding one, try to hit up the less touristy areas, but heavily populated Korean areas. Particularly, areas near a Korean university. The price varies, but it's still pretty affordable. Approximately 500 won will get you about a dozen pitches. There's also gloves to wear to help absorb the shock of the metal bats.
Some of the bigger batting cages have cages with different speeds and cages set up for lefties. Other than that, they are pretty easy to figure out. Whether it's by yourself after work or with a group of friends, the batting cages are one of the cheapest forms of entertainment here in Korea!
Had a long week at work? Did the kids seem extra wild this week? Would you swear it was a full moon by how things have been going? Or just plain stressed? Well, you don't really need a good reason to go to the batting cages, but if you've got one that's OK too. Either way it's a cheap, fun way to relieve some stress and hit the crap out of a baseball.
Batting cages are EVERYWHERE in Korea. For a better chance of finding one, try to hit up the less touristy areas, but heavily populated Korean areas. Particularly, areas near a Korean university. The price varies, but it's still pretty affordable. Approximately 500 won will get you about a dozen pitches. There's also gloves to wear to help absorb the shock of the metal bats.
Some of the bigger batting cages have cages with different speeds and cages set up for lefties. Other than that, they are pretty easy to figure out. Whether it's by yourself after work or with a group of friends, the batting cages are one of the cheapest forms of entertainment here in Korea!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Getting to know Korea : Climate
South Korea's Climate
South Korea experiences all 4 seasons, sometimes more/less distinct than others. That is to say, a hot summer, leaves turning in the fall, cold winter with some snow, and a cool to warm spring. Despite its peninsular geographical location, it is more affected by the continent than the ocean, according to meteorologists. It is often referred to as a humid, monsoonal climate, especially felt in the summer.
In the winter, Siberian winds cross the Korean peninsula to create an average of 3.5 degrees Celsius (below freezing) along with some snow. That means--bring your winter jackets! The snowfall in the rural areas tends to be more prominent, while in Seoul and Incheon, the snow doesn't accumulate nearly as much. Even if you're in the southern tip of South Korea, it still gets chilly, although a bit warmer in comparison to the northern areas and areas more inland.
The spring brings the swallow and blooming cherry blossoms. During this time, there are many festivals all over the country celebrating the blooming of these beautiful flowers. Spring generally begins in the later part of March and everything begins thawing. With this thawing comes gradually increasing rainfall. It's not monsoon-sized rains, but gradual, making it just perfect for the rice seedbeds to be prepared.
As mentioned earlier, the summer is HOT and HUMID. Many days humidity levels are above 80% and degrees range from 29.5 degrees celsius or higher. (No worries, there IS air conditioning in Korea and in your apartment!) Beginning in June, the gradually increasing rainfall of the spring becomes heavier and heavier as monsoon season approaches. Sometimes flooding does occur, especially in the more rural areas. However, this massive amount of rain is good for the rice crop.
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Finally, the autumn is what one would typically envision when thinking of the fall season. In Korea, autumn is relatively short, lasting approximately 2 months. The leaves of the trees turn colors, which is particularly beautiful along the edges of the Han River. Koreans enjoy a small break from the high pressures and humidity. A dry wave encroaches up on the country and the days are dry and sunny while the nights tend to be cooler and sometimes end up in frost.
Overall, Korean climate is manageable and does not vary within seasons. Summers do get hot and long, but on the flipside, winters feel relatively short! All this information should help you decide what to pack, but more importantly, get mentally ready for your arrival in Korea!
Sources :
http://user.chollian.net/~jis0523/korea-climate.htm
South Korea experiences all 4 seasons, sometimes more/less distinct than others. That is to say, a hot summer, leaves turning in the fall, cold winter with some snow, and a cool to warm spring. Despite its peninsular geographical location, it is more affected by the continent than the ocean, according to meteorologists. It is often referred to as a humid, monsoonal climate, especially felt in the summer.
In the winter, Siberian winds cross the Korean peninsula to create an average of 3.5 degrees Celsius (below freezing) along with some snow. That means--bring your winter jackets! The snowfall in the rural areas tends to be more prominent, while in Seoul and Incheon, the snow doesn't accumulate nearly as much. Even if you're in the southern tip of South Korea, it still gets chilly, although a bit warmer in comparison to the northern areas and areas more inland.
The spring brings the swallow and blooming cherry blossoms. During this time, there are many festivals all over the country celebrating the blooming of these beautiful flowers. Spring generally begins in the later part of March and everything begins thawing. With this thawing comes gradually increasing rainfall. It's not monsoon-sized rains, but gradual, making it just perfect for the rice seedbeds to be prepared.
As mentioned earlier, the summer is HOT and HUMID. Many days humidity levels are above 80% and degrees range from 29.5 degrees celsius or higher. (No worries, there IS air conditioning in Korea and in your apartment!) Beginning in June, the gradually increasing rainfall of the spring becomes heavier and heavier as monsoon season approaches. Sometimes flooding does occur, especially in the more rural areas. However, this massive amount of rain is good for the rice crop..jpg)
Finally, the autumn is what one would typically envision when thinking of the fall season. In Korea, autumn is relatively short, lasting approximately 2 months. The leaves of the trees turn colors, which is particularly beautiful along the edges of the Han River. Koreans enjoy a small break from the high pressures and humidity. A dry wave encroaches up on the country and the days are dry and sunny while the nights tend to be cooler and sometimes end up in frost.Overall, Korean climate is manageable and does not vary within seasons. Summers do get hot and long, but on the flipside, winters feel relatively short! All this information should help you decide what to pack, but more importantly, get mentally ready for your arrival in Korea!
Sources :
http://user.chollian.net/~jis0523/korea-climate.htm
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
HSK Restaurant Review : Mad for Garlic
Mad for Garlic's allure is all in its name. The restaurant serves mostly Italian-themed dishes using...you guessed it--garlic! Curiosity got the best of me and I caved in, not knowing what to expect. I have been a little bit disappointed in some Italian restaurants so far in Korea, so as soon as I saw the menu, I was a bit leary. However, this particular restaurant's menu and ambiance did not disappoint!
First of all, it should be noted that Mad for Garlic is not for the weak in heart. When they say "Mad for Garlic," they absolutely mean it. The dishes are chalked full of garlic and are delicious...if garlic is your thing!
The surprises began as soon as we entered the restaurant. KissMyKimchi and I ventured over to the Yeoksam location, just an approximately 5 minute walk from exit 4 of Yeoksam station, on a Sunday evening. It was quite busy, but because the locale has quite a bit of seating, we only had to wait for about 15 minutes. This, however, was not the happy surprise. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who asked us kindly to have a seat in the waiting area and to serve ourselves to the complimentary wine (free refills!) while we waited.After taking advantage of as much wine as our empty stomaches could handle, the hostess directed us to our table. We had already had our fill of wine, so we stuck with water and we ordered a couple of appetizers. The Garlic Breadtower (6,300 won) and Garlic Fondue (11,500 won) were our choices of poison. Both were excellent and almost filling enough for me to satisfy my meal requirement.
For our main course we each decided to try the Chicken & Pasta Combo (18,900 won). The pasta was tossed with an oil based sauce and capers were also included. The chicken was tender and covered sauteed onions. A small salad of mixed greens with a balsamic vinaigrette was also included. It was, indeed, very garlicky, but very delicious.
After our meal, we were much too stuffed to try any desserts, but maybe that's for next time!Check out the website in English to view the menu and locations. Mad for Garlic is a bit pricy, but if you're looking to splurge for a meal, it's definitely worth it!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Eat your weeds...
Seaweed...
Not just slimy stuff that floats aimlessly along with the ocean currents. Seaweed, or gim (김), is a big part of Korean cuisine. Whether it serves as garnish with fried rice, or is wrapped around rice and veggies to make gimbap, many claim it will make you as healthy as a horse. A large part of those claims are not too far off mark!
With all the health hype around seaweed as a source of utmost nutritional value, it is no wonder why Koreans have superstitions about this sea plant. For example, many Koreans say that it is a good idea to eat lots of seaweed soup after giving birth because it produces healthy breast milk in mothers.
Here are just a few of the supposed health benefits of seaweed :
- Nearly all minerals and vitamins that the human body needs can be found in in this oceanic plant. (i.e. calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and the list goes on.) There is also B12, that is not found in land plants!
- It has been said that seaweed promotes healthy hair growth because it feeds the pores of your scalp.
- Especially for the ladies, seaweed supposedly helps prevent osteoporosis.
- If you have deficiencies in your diet, it is said that seaweed helps offset these deficiencies because of its richness in all other minerals and vitamins.
- Seaweed is a good food to include in your regiment if you are on a diet. It stimulates metabolism which can help with weight loss.
- And the list goes on...
Try to include seaweed in your diet and look for the results!
Sources :
http://health.learninginfo.org/seaweed-benefits.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Kelp_or__Seaweed
Not just slimy stuff that floats aimlessly along with the ocean currents. Seaweed, or gim (김), is a big part of Korean cuisine. Whether it serves as garnish with fried rice, or is wrapped around rice and veggies to make gimbap, many claim it will make you as healthy as a horse. A large part of those claims are not too far off mark!
With all the health hype around seaweed as a source of utmost nutritional value, it is no wonder why Koreans have superstitions about this sea plant. For example, many Koreans say that it is a good idea to eat lots of seaweed soup after giving birth because it produces healthy breast milk in mothers.
Here are just a few of the supposed health benefits of seaweed :- Nearly all minerals and vitamins that the human body needs can be found in in this oceanic plant. (i.e. calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and the list goes on.) There is also B12, that is not found in land plants!
- It has been said that seaweed promotes healthy hair growth because it feeds the pores of your scalp.
- Especially for the ladies, seaweed supposedly helps prevent osteoporosis.
- If you have deficiencies in your diet, it is said that seaweed helps offset these deficiencies because of its richness in all other minerals and vitamins.
- Seaweed is a good food to include in your regiment if you are on a diet. It stimulates metabolism which can help with weight loss.
- And the list goes on...
Try to include seaweed in your diet and look for the results!
Sources :
http://health.learninginfo.org/seaweed-benefits.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Kelp_or__Seaweed
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