I started writing this post on the plane ride back from Korea back in late-August, but never ended up finishing and posting it. So here goes! (Also I know some CLS prospective students will be searching for CLS blogs and creeping around my site). At the end of the CLS program we had a 졸업식 … Continue reading 졸업식, Graduation Ceremony
Hiking 금당산 at Night
On the last Friday in Gwangju -- after our final exams and graduation ceremony -- a few of my friends and I hiked up Gwangju's Geumdang Mountain 금당산. Peter read about a night hike on this mountain a few weeks prior and going on the last weekend felt like a perfect end to an amazing … Continue reading Hiking 금당산 at Night
NSLIY Host Family Visits Gwangju!
The last week I was studying in Gwangju my NSLIY Seoul host family came to visit me a final time before I travelled back to the U.S. They came on a Monday and left the following Tuesday, and it really meant a lot to me that they drove four hours to come see me. It … Continue reading NSLIY Host Family Visits Gwangju!
여수 Yeosu
This past weekend on Saturday I went with my host family to Yeosu (여수) which is a coastal city on the very Southern end of the Korea. It was a gorgeous day, but as Korea summers are, it was also incredibly hot. That Saturday was South Korea's 20th day of heat warnings in a row. … Continue reading 여수 Yeosu
율포해수욕장 Beach Trip!
Before Typhoon Noru sweeps in this coming Monday, my host family and I decided to make a quick beach trip to 율포해수욕장 which is a beach on the southern coast of South Korea. Two years ago I visited Busan's famous beach, 해운대, with my NSLI-Y cohort but we went during May and it was too … Continue reading 율포해수욕장 Beach Trip!
담양 (Damyang Bamboo Forest)
This past weekend was the last CLS outing with all participants and their language partners. We went to the giant bamboo forest, 죽녹원, which is located in 담양 (Damyang). While there I got to try bamboo ice cream, rice made in a bamboo shoot and also 담양's famous 떡갈비, which is a beef dish believed … Continue reading 담양 (Damyang Bamboo Forest)
Week 6 Recap
Here's a quick post on some highlights from Week 6 of my CLS Program! Monday: Went to a PC 방 for the first time! Basically gamers in the U.S. have no idea what they are missing out on. It cost 3,200원 (3 U.S. dollars) to play basically any video game you could possible want for … Continue reading Week 6 Recap
Seoul Weekend with Minju, and Learning about my Korean Side
Following our kimchi class and lunch on Friday morning I left immediately to Seoul. During my time in Korea for the CLS program this is my second and last visit to Seoul before I leave again for the U.S. The first Seoul trip I came to visit my NSLIY host family, and this trip I … Continue reading Seoul Weekend with Minju, and Learning about my Korean Side
Making kimchi and melting off my tastebuds
Instead of normal class this past Friday, we went to a kimchi museum and cooking class for a cultural activity. I made kimchi from scratch two years ago in Seoul at the 김치박물관 in 인사동 but my kimchi taste was only ok that time. However, this kimchi that we just made was amazing. 예지 said … Continue reading Making kimchi and melting off my tastebuds
Going against the tide (biking, soccer, some frustrations)
Supposedly we are nearing the end of the 장마절, rainy season, but it is still incredibly humid. On a good day the humidity is in the 80 percentile, and on a not-so-lucky day the humidity could hit 97%. I have to admit I searched online why I am not standing in a puddle if the … Continue reading Going against the tide (biking, soccer, some frustrations)
