Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is located in Seoul, Hyehwa.
Every year, the school organizes a 6-week summer exchange program for international students. In July, 20 of us from Singapore enrolled in this program, together with international students from around the globe.
Outside classes activities were organized, and there was also sufficient free time for us to tour around. We were fortunate to have Koreans tagging along in our trips, since majority of Koreans still do not speak English and it will be tough to get around without a native speaker.
Cultural lessons are so intriguing, especially with children! Ain't them both CUTE! The activity introduces us (foreigners) about the different types of traditional costumes worn for occasions. We saw a demonstration on how the young greet their elderly during Korean New Year (Seolnal), and realized that Koreans are particular about the sequence of steps being executed. However, I am pretty sure the whole class was only focused on the display of KIYOMI by the 2 kids, because I only learnt two things from the lesson: (1) So (2) Cute π
We had the opportunity to don ourselves into the Hanbok (ie. traditional Korean clothing). I really like how vibrant the colours were, but in all honesty, the clothes were SUPERLY oversized. Does it mean that Koreans were generally huge during the Joseon period?! Koreans, please enlighten me ~
WARNING: Spitting of seeds allowed, enter at your own risk!
This is pretty quirky, Blind Watermelon Event? Wonder what the 'blind' was about since I only sighted red juicy meat chomped, crushed, torn apart, AND a blast of red juice SQUIRTING onto each other's faces (hmmm ... squirt ... hmmm). One thing worth mentioning is that Korean melons are really sweet, but it would have helped if sweet doesn't come with seeds.
The school also brought us to the National Museum Of Korea. Although I am not a fan of museums, I was surprised by its grandeur and how spick & span it was. This is the entrance of the museum and there is a huge Korea national flag on display. Yes - the flag triggered me to take a photo, well done flag.
Extinct species? Dragon turtle? Blastoise?
Does this place look familiar? Running Man did one episode here, daebak right!
For some reason, the museum wants to be international friendly and features backdrops of different wonders of the world. There's a saying "When in Rome, Be Like The Romans", and here we are striking the India-friendly pose. Anyong haseyo India! ~~~
You wouldn't miss this 3-storey tall pagoda inside the museum. Here's the difficult part - taking a selfie with the full structure in it - and that's why my face was excluded. Anyone keen to take up the PAGODA SELFIE CHALLENGE?
Generally, Korean cuisine are red and green in colours, which made it visually unappealing to me. I was not a Korean food lover for the most of my life, but after my 2nd week there, I've got to say trying makes the heart grow fonder - I actually found Korean food to be SATISFYING and - ladies, look here - WEIGHT-FRIENDLY! Typical Korean fare consists of meat in spicy sauces, bowl of rice, laver soup (miyeok gook), side dishes like kimchi (fermented napa cabbage) and anchovies. In most meals, Koreans also finish off the meal with a Korean distilled rice liquor, Soju. The beauty of the food lies in the flavourings added like bean paste & fermented sauce; there is also notably many spices and fibre-rich ingredients - main culprits of the WEIGHT-FRIENDLY effect.
PS: I had no significant weight gain after the trip. Start eating KOREAN now!
However, Korean food is expensive in Singapore, so ....
Crispy Korean Pancake (Pajeon) - good as a standalone dish for breakfast. Great when dipped with spicy soy sauce, I recommend that you try it at least once in Korea because pancakes are a many outside Korea but nothing tastes as authentic as having it in Korea.
Table Tennis @ ground level of our dorm - The place where I learnt how to play the sport.
It was SG/US versus NL/KR, guess who won?
Next school-led activity: Korean Folk Village (νκ΅λ―Όμμ΄)
Korean See-Saw
This is a traditional game played by Koreans in the past. Instead of sitting, players are in standing position and take turns to jump on the plank, whilst maintaining balance when they return to original position, the one to lose balance first loses.
Sounds easy? Looks easy? NO!
I was up against someone twice my size, the amount of Newtons unleashed was MASSIVE, sending me back to Singapore instantly. What a simple and ingenious game thought out for Korean Folks to pass time, wonder what the stakes were then: Kimchi? Toekbogi?
Display of Martial Art on horseback
Other than this, there was also Jultagi (tightrope walking). The whole Korean Folk Village experience is one that brings you back to the early Joseon era, and allows you to appreciate Korean culture just like how you see it in the famous cooking legend drama, Dae Jang Geum. If you are tired of a shopping and scenery-admiring itinerary, this is a place to include in your next Korea trip!
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A photo of the "graduation" cocktail reception to mark the end of Part 1.
Read the other parts for places that we went without "school assistance, OFF WE GO!!
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