Feel Korean Experience with Summer School
For many times, I feel impressed by this rare opportunity to join in an international summer school program which held outside Japan.
Last August, 2013, represent Kumamoto University, I went to South Korea
for the first time to participate in International Summer School II,
held by University of Seoul (UOS). The participants of this summer
school program were mostly consists of Japanese students from all over
universities in Japan, 2 Chinese students, and me, the one and only
Indonesian.
Actually, the summer school program divided into four kinds of courses, Korean Language Course (Hangul),
Korean Studies Course (cultural and diplomacy), Cultural Course, and
Field Trips at several iconic places in Korea, including the legendary
Jeju Island. Because of my limited capability in Japanese language,
unfortunately, I only took the morning class, 1-1 Beginner Level class.
It was because the Korean Studies Courses were given in advanced
Japanese language and I thought I could not do the tasks which needed to
be written in Kanji. In Korean Language class, I learned to write, reading, doing conversations and make sentences with Korean language.
Hangul experience, attend Korean Language class to learn Hangul
Besides studied language theory in class, studying Korean culture
and tradition while travelling was what I got from Cultural Course and
Field Trips. We went to historical building and places in both Seoul and
Jeju Island, such as Chang Deok Gung Palace, Korea House, Altar in Mt.
Sanbangsan, Jeju traditional house in Seongeup Folk Village, and lastly,
Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum. At Korea House, we made
Korean traditional craft of hand mirror used Hanji (Korean traditional paper), wearing Hanbok (Korean traditional dress), and finally had a chance to taste Korean traditional foods called bibimbap. Taste
Korean traditional culture while enjoying the traditional atmosphere at
Korean traditional house has left me with such indescribable feeling
ever.
Hanbok experience, wearing Korean traditional clothes at Korea House
Hanji experience, making handcraft with korean paper called hanji
Chang Deok Gung Palace, was served as the residence for many kings
Another days in Seoul, I also enjoyed another taste of Korean cuisine: ddeokbokki, namyun, samgyetang, and the most interesting ones was when we experienced the cooking class, together with Korean buddies, cooking bulgogi and capcae. Some Korean non-verbal comedy shows which incorporate traditional samul nori rhythm called “Nanta”, or Korea’s martial arts like “Jump” were
also had impressed me toward their totality in entertaining audiences
and express the ‘truly taste’ of Korean show to inexperienced foreign
(like us) at the same time. Next day, we also had a chance to play
traditional music instrument used in Nanta, that is samul nori, by formed one team for our individually performance.
Bibimbap,
mixed rice and vegetables with spicy sauce, my Korean Buddy said that bibim means mixed and bap means rice
mixed rice and vegetables with spicy sauce, my Korean Buddy said that bibim means mixed and bap means rice
Ddeokbokki, steamed rice cake in spicy sauce, one of fenomenal dish from Korea
Take a chance to playing samul nori
Insa-dong street, one of my favourite place in Korea,
famous with traditional antique shop, art galleries
Once, my Korean buddy named Sohee, ever told me about 3 phrases that must be experienced if I want to know about Korean’s truly, it is Hangul, Hanbok, Hanji, where Han means
Korean. Now, I could say proudly that I already had through those 3
experiences when I joined UOS International Summer School II.
Learning new things is always become my interest, and when I was in
Korea I think I had gained a lot of important experiences. There, I learned directly about characteristics of Korean’s
life as a whole, their culture, tradition, language, behaviors, which
all have been fused in Korean people’s daily life. I am impressed by
Korean people, all Korean buddies, staffs, teachers in this summer
school program are warm, kind and fun. I also have a really good time
with my Japanese friends, whom I met for the first time there. They help
me a lot, especially towards my Japanese language barrier. This summer
school not only gives me a bunch of unforgettable moments, but also has
blessed me with a lot of new friends. In addition to both Korean and
Japanese, I made a friend with Spaniards, Singaporeans, Pakistani, and
also had a chance to gathering with Indonesian who still studies in UOS.
Tracking at Seopjikoji in Jeju Island,
which featured with savanna, retro chapel and lighthouse tower
With my Korean and Japanese buddies at Mt. Sangbangsan
Aside from what I had gained, of course I had some obstacles when I
was joined this summer school program: language barrier, weather
condition, adaptation matters on early arrival at Korea, food, etc. But,
it thanks to them who help, support and encourage me, so I can really
enjoy my summer time in Korea through UOS International Summer School II
and only left with almost good memories behind.
Jeju Island as One of the World Natural Heritage
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The first time I knew about Jeju Island was in 2011, when it became a contestant from South Korea in New Seven Wonders of Nature Global Festival. Back then, my home country, Indonesia, had also nominated Komodo Island as the contestant. These two islands then become the provisional New Seven Wonders of Nature with the five others. It is said that Jeju Island has been chosen as the second most beautiful scenery around the world and get a recognition as one of the world natural heritage by UNESCO. In consequence of a sense of rivalry in New Seven Wonders Festival, since then I have the curiosity in how Jeju Island’s wonders can attract people from all over the world to come. What are the island practically have to make people come? How great is its landscape and how unique is Jeju indigenous way of life? At that time I just have a thought, how is the feel of exploring the island directly?
Luckily, a chance came for me to visit Jeju Island on August 16-18th, 2013. Still prepared with some curious thoughts, my adventure time in Jeju Island had finally begun. On the first day, we went to Mt. Sanbangsan which region are consists of several altars of prayer for honor, for life, for love and for a good health. Mt. Sanbangsan is well known for its auspicious topography, resembling a hen sitting on golden eggs. My impression against the Mt. Sanbangsan: I think it is a great place where we can feel both of mountainous and sea scenic landscaping while sense the spirituality at the same time.
Figure 1. Mt. Sanbangsan and its surrounding areas
Figure 2. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff were run along the coastline
Jusangjeolli Cliff is not the only one trail in Jeju Island which has such a wonderful and fascinating landscapes showed both mountainous and sea scenic landscaping. There is also a trail called Seopjikoji which seemed to divide its region by wide savanna most on the left side and sea on its right side. In this place we can also see a retro chapel and lighthouse tower, makes the scenic ambience to be more dramatic.
Figure 3. Seopjikoji with its savanna, retro chapel and lighthouse tower
Our adventure then take us to the Manjanggul lava tubes which is designated as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 and it is become the 2nd UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN after Mt. Hallasan. The existing formation was caused by the eruption of Geomunoreum which then forming tunnels on the ground known as lava tubes. When we observed the rocky wall, the ancient lava flow had been clearly visible on the wall. The underground cave in Manjanggul lava tubes features some unusual rock formation.
Has become the 3rd of UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN and certified as the world geopark, here is Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone (Sunrise Peak). It is a peninsula rock like a crown called tuff that compress the volcanic mass. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone famous for its magnificent view of the rising sun that can be seen from its peak. When I was there, though I did not do a tracking until the up of the tuff, I can feel the sense of landscaping from this place that makes it certified as the world geopark.
Figure 4. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, the one of world geopark in Jeju Island
After exploring that hidden treasure of natural landscapes beneath the very surface of Jeju Island, I wonder how are their traditional community live and have deal with their natural environment. Actually, the expected answer is somehow lied on Seongeup Folk Village. In this traditional village that showed the actual tradisional housing of Jeju traditional community, it can be encluded that Jeju traditional community still have kind of local wisdom applied in their daily life and they tend to maintain their traditional cultures and customs until nowadays.
Figure 5. Jeju traditional house in Seongeup Folk Village
As a result of several direct observing, exploring and adventuring, from my point of view, I implied that Jeju Island deserves to be the one of the World Natural Heritage and get the UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN in UNESCO natural science area. Jeju Island not only an island with fascinating landscapes, but also an island which concern to maintain its traditional cultures and customs in daily life. It thanks to this UOS International Summer School II, I can learn such an important lesson, especially about Jeju Island as the one of South Korea pride.
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