DISCUSSION: Cultural Difference

We had a discussion and came up with some ideas about cultural differences.

Friday, 28 April 2006

# Showing Respect To Elders
[Members]
Culture is diffrent each country. Because many countries have diffrent history and background. For example when we have a meal, with one forenigner, He maybe suprised at the situation. In korea, when eldiest people pick up the spoon, the meal starts together. Untill he pick up the spoon, we should wait for him. It is natural situation, because it is one way to show our respect for elder people. But, view of forenigner, this situation can't understand. Perhaps they think this is unfair and don't understanding our custom. Like this, each country has traditional culture. So we can't say which one is the best culture or the worst. In other words, we must try to understand all kinds of culture.

# Korean Traditional Shamanism : Hanging Straw Festoon
[Members] O Ga-won, Lee Sang-min, Wee Dan-bi, Lee Ha-na, Park So-eun
Have you ever heard about "Korean Traditional Shamanism"?
In Korea, when a baby is born, if ti's a baby, we hang a straw festoon with many chilies, while if it's a girl, we use charoal.
It means that terrible devil who may harm to baby won't be allowed into the home. And a rolled straw festoon means that their families hope that they live longer without illness.
Long time ago, mant baby died early, so we celebrate their 100th day;the birthday party. These days, in 100th day birthday party, parents let baby pick up one thing of many things, such as money, pen, thread, and so on. Money means to become the rich, pen means to be smart, thread means to live long lifetime.
Nowadays, babies are born in hospitals, so this custom has disappeared.

# Explaning culture
[Members] Yi Kyu-sun, Hong Eu-gene, Cho Won-i, Choi Yu-gee
In korea, when a couple married,most of them have to support man's parents for 1-2 years.For some years woman learns how to make korean food,including kimchi,do housework. Sometimes woman gets stressed about this situation,cause man's parents expect them to have grandsons in short time.It seems that to marry in korea is very tired and stressful.But there is bright side in this marriage. During the period,the emotion called 'Jung' comes from the family.'Jung' is similar to love but it has its own special aspect. Korean can feel it without words. When you in korea, you feel something Warm and soft from relationships with koreansbut you recognizes it's not love. That's korean emotion;Jung.

#Eating habits of Korea

[Members]

In Korea, young people can eat after old people start eating. For example, when my family eat together, grandparents eat first, next parents' turn, at last my turn comes. That is the expression of respect to old people.Also, Korean often share their soup without using personal bowls. This makes foreigner think that it is not sanitary. I'm not sure, but I think that it shows the sense of union. From long time ago, Korean have shared what they have with others. They have been willing to help others.

#Manner of Eating, in Korea

[Members] Jung Soon-hyung, Lee Kyung-hyo, Jung Joo-ri, Song Na-ri

Think about this situation,You are having a meal with people who are older than you in Korea.If you rais your spon or chpsticks before they do, this action can be regarded as rude. Remmer and keep this in your mind(nahaha^ㅁ^;;)This action has included respest of older people for a long time.Another meal culture is that you must not shake your legs When you eat. Because we think this action get your fortune away.

HI, HOPE STREET ACADEMY!

Taken at school computer lab on Thursday, 27 April 2006

If you wonder our school life...

1. Our school's scenery
Our school is located on the Nang-Am mountain. So, We can study where the environment is near the natural. Because of the school is located on the mountain, the air is clear and fresh. And we can hear birds are singing. But, sometimes we complain about this surrounding. Because, our school is on the high place, we are hard to attend school. Especially, when we pass the gate of a school, we are out of breath. So we are gasp out. However It is good for our health. And, the four season's view of our school is very beautiful.
In spring, royal azalea come into blossom. Royal azalea has various colors such as white, pink, purple, red. So the school seems like as if the school became a deluge of fire. In summer, We can see the trees in fresh verdure. In our school, there are many different trees. Occasionally, They become a cool shade or supply reflesh air for us. In fall, We can see very big ging-ko. Perhaps, that ging-ko has been live since long ago. Falling the yellow ging-ko's leaves are so wonderful. But ging-ko nut give off a bad smell. In winter, If the snow come down, we will see a great snowscape. It seems like that the world become white. 1/5/06 18:52

2. Daily schedule
We learn various subjects. From second grade, our class devide into two parts. One parts is the liberal arts, the other part is the science. Subject of the liberal arts part are Literature, MathⅠ,Social, Biology, Tradition ethics, Chinese writing, Domestic science, Computer, Japanese. The other hand, Subjects of the science part are MathⅠ,Ⅱ, Physics, Chemistry, Earth science, Biology, French. Of course, learning English is both liberal arts part and science part. We have to go to school untill 8:00 A.M. Because the first class begins at 8:00 A.M. Our classes last 50minutes and after each class, there is 10minutes rest time. We have 5classes in the morning.And, from 1:00 P.M we have a lunch time for 1hour. Then, we take 2classes and we clean up our classroom for 30minutes. After thar, We take 2 supplement classes. And then, we have a dinner time from 6:00P.M～7:00P.M . Finish our dinner time, from that time on we start self-control studying. So, our school is over at 10:00P.M.Actually, It is different from each regions. So, In Seoul students don't have to do self-control studying. But our city Gwang-Ju adopt this studying method. Therefore, we have to do self-control studying. During this time, we prepare lessons for tomorrow or review lessons for today. Also, we do our homework and study for tests. Some students read a book.We spend 14hours at school. We spend much time at the school than at the home. Maybe you can think that our school life is so tired. But it is not true. While we stay at the school, we learn not only knowledge but also precious things such as friendship, cooperation and so on. For that reasons, we enjoy our school life. 1/5/06 18:52

3. Our school's event
Our school hold a physical tournament in spring. That time we forget everything concerned about study. We can make confidence between classmates and me. Also, It is good for our health. This event is very interesting for us.In addition. we hold a festival named 'Nang-Am festival'. It hold one time each years. This festival is very famous, because it is very fantastic and wonderful. We can show our favorite performances, and exhibit our arts. it is very exciting.
1/5/06 18:53

INTRODUCTION#2: SCHOOL

Main building of Dong-A Girls' High School

At this time of the year, Dong-A is surrounded by beautiful royal azalea blossoms.

This is Sunny,Choi.

INTRODUCTION#1: HOMETOWN GWANGJU

Hub City of the Southwestern Region of Korea Gwangju is the leading city of the Honam region, with the entire nation within a day's reach. The emerging importance of Korea's western coastline and the government's effort to balance growth across the nation have triggered large-scale urban development projects such as the construction of the Gwangju hi-tech industrial complex, transformation of Gwangju into a center of production, and improvement of housing and leisure facilities. Such support will boost Gwangju's status as the hub of Korea's southwest region.
City of Patriotism During the seven-year-long Japanese invasion of Korea beginning in 1592, Gwangju successfully defended itself against the invaders. Such a tradition, where citizens fought bravely during our nation's crises, has continued throughout history. Citizens sacrificed their lives during the Japanese invasion in 1592, fought against the colonialist Japanese rule in the early 1900's, and again lost many lives during the May 1980 democratic movement in defense of justice, democracy, human rights and freedom. Gwangju is campaigning to designate May 18 as a national holiday, and completing the effort to designate the May 18 Cemetery as a shrine in homage to the lives sacrificed, to continue its tradition of defending democracy, and to establish its position as part of the democratic history of the world.
City of Culture and the Arts Gwangju has long been regarded as a city rich in culture and the arts. It has produced numerous scholars renowned for their scholarship and virtue. Gwangju is also where the Southern School of Chinese Painting, or Namjonghwa, as well as pansori, a traditional Korean singing genre, originated. The level of artistic sophistication is higher than most any other region, with a large proportion of the population involved in the arts field. The humble nature of the people who do not pursue worldly gain has enabled legions of people to enjoy art, dance and music over the years. The Gwangju Biennale, an international arts festival first held in 1995 and taking place every two years, has expanded Gwangju's worldwide reputation as a city of art.
Traditional City of Education The home of numerous renowned scholars, Gwangju has 507 schools, consisting of 215 kindergartens, 110 elementary schools, 70 middle schools, 58 high schools, 7 junior colleges, 9 universities, 27 graduate schools, and 11 others (as of April 1, 2000) with a total of 404,065 students, or 29.4% of the total city population. The average number of students per household (0.9) reflects the city's characteristic as the home of education.
* This information is retrieved from city hall home page.