HSK Blog...

Just a quick note to all of you (although, I have the feeling our blog hasn't yet developed a large following), our blog is under construction because I goofed up and somehow managed to delete the ENTIRE previous one! (Please don't ask how because I have NO IDEA!) Anyway, please bear with us and the gaps and holes will eventually be filled in!

HSK outing! National Museum of Modern Art

There is currently a long-term, special exhibit at Korea's National Museum of Modern Art. We've decided to set up a little get together with current HSK-recruited teachers and anyone else who would like to join!

Artist, Ik-Joong Kang is displaying his installation called "Multiple / Dialogue." See the website below for more background information on the exhibit. Entry costs a measley 3,000 won!
http://www.moca.go.kr/eng/engExhibition.do?_method=spExh

After we visit the special installation, there's the permanent exhibits plus the sculpture gardens should the weather decide to cooperate. Entry to this one is FREE! (A good number, wouldn't you agree?) Again, here's some more information on it.
http://www.moca.go.kr/eng/engExhibition.do?_method=perExh

So, here's the skinny. Should you (and your more than welcomed friends) decide to join us, please meet at Exit 4 of "Seoul Grand Park" subway station. (Line 4, light blue) at 1 PM on Saturday August 1st, 2009. We'll hang around for about 15 minutes for the stragglers. If you're later than that, check out the contact information on our Facebook event. From Exit 4, we can take a free shuttle bus. However, if it's nice, I say we all take the 20 minute hike because of the beautiful scenery around Gwacheon Reservoir that we have to go around in order to get to the museum! We can decide one we're all there. For those of you who would like to come, but can't meet us there, here's the website's directions.

**Also, if anyone's into getting something to eat, let's meet at Sadang Station, exit 4 around 11:45 AM on Saturday. We can find something cheap like kimbap cheonguk or samgyeopsal around the area! Hope to see you all there!

KEB Banking services

Now banking in Korea and transferring money to your home country bank account is very simple! KEB (Korean Exhange Bank) offers a service especially designed to foreigners. Two special kinds of accounts are necessary in order to take advantage of this service.

First, you should know that your employer will open a bank account for you after you've received your Alien Registration Card (ARC), but before your first paycheck. You are able to visit this bank during its hours of operation to do your transfers and take care of all of your banking needs. You will also receive a debit card that is only valid within South Korea. You can definitely use this bank, but the information presented in this entry is to offer you an option that is convenient.

To open a bank account with KEB, you are required to have an ARC as well as your home country's bank account information. This information includes the name of the bank, address, phone number, bank account number and that bank's SWIFT routing number. Once you have all these things, head into any KEB branch. (Only special branches offer this service, so find the one nearest to you and ask if it is a "Special branch." If not, find out the nearest one to you!) These special branches offer services to English speakers.

Once you've found a special KEB branch, ask to sign up for the Global Expat Card and to open a special remittance account. You'll be required to fill out the paperwork together with a KEB banker. The process takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

As soon as your account is open, you'll receive a debit/ATM card that you can use anywhere in the world. Other advantages include : Internet banking, ATM transfers, low transfer and withdrawl rates, etc. Take a look at this site for more details on this service!

** If you want your paychecks from your employer automatically deposited into this account, just provide them with your bank account number and they should be able to do this for you!

Getting to know Korea : Drinking Etiquette

Drinking Etiquette

Yes, slamming the alcohol back can be a part of "business practice" here in Korea. No, it's not OK just to pour yourself shot after shot without even considering your drinking partners. Koreans have figured out drinking to an exact science and you'll see that science's results pretty regularly! (Public drunkeness is somewhat commonplace in Korea.)

Drinking among co-workers and friends is a way to grow closer to one another. It's seen the same way just as if you were to ask a new acquaintance to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. However, so not to offend any of your drinking acquaintances, it's a good idea to know the do's and don't's of drinking in Korea.

First, you'll never see a Korean drinking beer, soju, wine, alcohol in general directly from the bottle. Any alcoholic beverage will ALWAYS be served into some sort of glass or cup. We're not in college anymore, so chugging soju straight from the bottle isn't really an option, especially not in Korea. Also, expect to be asked to purchase some side dishes/bar munchies (ahn-joo i.e. noodles, crackers, etc.) You'll also most likely be served some complimentary side dishes such as fruity puffs or cardboard-flavored crunchy rings. Delicious!

The following is the etiquette for drinking with Koreans in Korea. You should never serve yourself first. Grasp the bottle/pitcher with both hands and offer to serve your compatriots first and them one of them will serve you. When being served, always grasp the glass or cup with two hands and you may opt to say "kamsahamnida" to the pourer. When you notice that someone's cup is empty, make an effort to be the first person to offer to refill that person's cup. (Never to the brim, but about 3/4 full.)When it comes to the bill, you may find that Koreans are ready to come to fisticuffs to pay. Always offer to at least pay an equally divided amount (even if you only had one glass of beer while your company may have had several.)

Following these drinking standards in Korea will assure you a pleasurable experience! :D

Sources :

http://www.korean-business-etiquette.com/

http://www.koreanrestaurantguide.com/atr/atr_etiq.htm

KT Internet service

Getting Internet in Korea is a major concern of many teachers. Your first few weeks here in Korea, you may have to survive without Internet connection in your apartment. In order to get Internet within your accommodation, you must have an Alien Registration Card (ARC), which can take up to 2-3 weeks after your arrival here in South Korea.

During this period, you do have options though! There's PC bang (방) everywhere, just look for the aforementioned words on signs in random bulidings. (They're usually in the first basement level of buildings all over Korea and the price ranges anywhere from 500 KRW to 2,000 KRW per hour.) Another option is trying to find a wireless connection from within your apartment. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a strong wireless signal from one of your neighbors. (Not the most reliable option, but somewhat viable considering your situation.) Finally, there's cafes EVERYWHERE in Korea. Most have some kind of Wifi connection, but I've found that the most reliable is Tom n' Tom's cafe. They have pretty affordable coffee drinks (and AWESOME pretzels) and most are 24 hours. Every Tom n' Tom's that I've visited has had a Wifi hotspot.



Once you receive your ARC, you are eligible to sign up for an Internet service in your apartment if you so desire. A major Internet service provider in Korea is KT (Korea Telecom). They are fast, reliable and very efficient. Another plus when using this service is their excellent English helpline and agents who are extremely effective when helping you set up your account. Just call this number : 82-100 or email them at customer@kt.com to begin the process. You can also visit their site to learn more about them.

From what I've heard, most people who have set up their Internet through KT have had their Internet ready and functioning within the next 1-2 days of their initial call to the company's customer service/account set-up department. Additionally, if you have any questions or problems, service agents are equally punctual and timely in getting to your apartment to try to repair the problem. The approximate cost per month for KT's Internet service is 40,000 KRW plus a 30,000 KRW activation fee. From time to time, there are some promotions that may be available to you.

Food in Korea -- Naengmyeon

Nangmyeon (냉면) is another one of the many traditional Korean dishes that is preferred especially in the summer months among Koreans. The literal translation of naengmyeon is "cold noodles" and also fits the description of the dish itself.

There are two types of naengmyeon. First is mul naengmyeon (물냉면), which is more of a soupy consistency. Its noodles are served with a usually beef broth, boiled egg and other various vegetables. The other type is bibim naengmyeon (비빔냉면) and not a soup, but served with a chili paste sauce. (Beware...this variety is typically VERY spicy!)The main component of naengmyeon is the buckwheat noodles that are generally served in a metal bowl to preserve its chilly nature. Pear and other julienned vegetables accompany the noodles. It is not uncommon, especially in a restaurant, to receive packages/bottles of spicy mustard and/or vinegar to add to the dish before eating. Additionally, in restaurants, if you ask the waiter or waitress for some scissors, he or she will most often times be happy to oblige and may even offer to cut them for you!


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

EV Boyz

This is a quite old video, made by some foreign teachers having fun wherever they are. (Especially in Geumcheon). It's old, but I think for those of you who have yet to arrive in Korea, you'll really like it :D