A short update on life in Seoul

Originally posted on August 17th 2013

Exchange Student life

An-nyeong-haseyo!

I’m back. Since I'm here also to study the last days kept me pretty busy with doing group presentations, reports and… of course going out with my fellow students.

On Thursday we went out to a place that mostly the younger generation is going to. We ordered chicken that is breaded and spiced with curry and sesame seeds. It goes well with beer. So actually our group of 15 girls got really chatty (for those who still did not recognized I am an exchange student at a Women University) and I guess you can imagine what the main topic was: Boys.

Before I expand this, you need to know that at the first day when we all met, the classes have been very quiet since they we’re all very shy at the beginning. Especially the fresh(wo)men students. We have some seniors too and the 2nd oldest is 24 and the oldest girl is actually me.

But after the first field trip everyone seemed to feel much more comfortable and since then the next classes became more and more vivid. Every day the greetings in the morning became very warm hearted.

Since we have been separated into several groups I have spent most of the time with my group. Our origins are rooted in Japan, Korea and German-Vietnam so our group was very diversitye. I think we enjoyed our classes, lunchtimes and field trips very much as everyone was very interested and curious about our different cultures and lifes so that the topics of conversations never ended.

One thing I liked a lot was that although we have just got to know each other we always shared our food during the breakes. Whenever someone bought some cake, „dok“ (Korean rice cake) or coffee we shared. This is one thing I learned as a common gesture among my fellow students and is different to german students. I personally prefer the asian one.

More about Korean culinary traditions

Yesterday we had a whole day driving a the Hangwa museum. Hangwa is the general name for Korean desserts. The name depends on the different materials. At the end of the day we made Yu-gwa and Kan-jung on our own. :)

Besides the impressions of my fellow students all the lectures and studio-typed lectures were very interesting. I have learned so much about the Food and Culture of the Koreans. Much more than I expected.

Although health and nutrition is not my major, different cuisines and within it the study about the indications that reveal the culinarian developments within a cultural circle had always belonged to my personal interests. I think this is an excellent field of study regarding cultural interdependencies in general. To listen to these different and excellent Professors provided me great insight into this research field.
Furthermore I already got to know so many new students and finally made some new friends through this study program. Becoming friends with them made it much easier to learn about the culture and social life in Korea and also about Japan.

After the first week I already can say that I have made a lot of precious experiences. I am very thankful to the professors and the staff that organized such an unique program that I am able to participate.
And now I am very excited about our stay in Fukuoka and learn about the Food and culture in Japan.
I know I promised to do some more posts about the other lectures and I will try to as soon as possible.

Actually I should go on board now. I see you in Japan!!!