Wednesday, July 13, 2016

WOAHHHH SORRY

It's been forever since I've posted....Sorry, I've been busy having fun and not sitting down..


Anyways, we had NSLI-Y orientation in Seoul. Apparently, if a guy asks you to eat ramen that means he's down to... It is the equivalent of netflix and chill, haha. We learned that individualism doesn't really exist in Korean culture. Collectivism is obvious in daily life: you don't say MY mother, you say OUR mother (even though obviously don't share), everyone eats food from the same plates (family style), when you go to restaurants, you usually have to buy two portions. There's really no bubble. Korean families usually leave the room doors open. That's how privacy is there. It's fine by me since I really have nothing to hide.

I THINK THE COLLECTIVISM HAS TO DO WITH HONG-IK INGAN ------ >  https://koreaingan.wordpress.com/about/



Anyways, the most obvious embodiment of the absence of the personal bubble is when the subway car gets packed but people push themselves and force themselves to fit. Nobody cares how close you are next to them. The bubble does not exist here. I admit it is a little weird sometimes, but it's nice not having to say "sorry, excuse me" every single time I bump into someone. THAT LITERALLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 30 TIMES A DAY. There are sooo many people here. Luckily, bumping into people and not really caring is a cultural norm :) yay Korea.
OK, I'm not sure where this rant is going... The one thing I can't get used to is NOT smiling at strangers. In the US, a simple smile is just a way of greeting. Here, if you (are a girl) and smile at a man you don't know, that implies you are attracted to him. They think more of it here. It's hard not to smile...  Also, lemme tell you, taking the subway in Seoul is the EASIEST THING EVVVVEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR. Blessed...

RESPECT YOUR ELDERSSSSS GUYSSS, HERE IN KOREA IT'S ELDERS FIRST NOT LADIES FIRST. So give up that seat for that halmoni or araboji. When you eat, you have to wait for the oldest person to start eating. Korea used to be a very hierarchical society, and this is reflected in the speech too. If you speak panmal, you will be punished, haha (not that I know from experience)...

Also, friends are VERY touchy. Like holding-hands-all-the-time touchy. It's more common here to see female friends walking down the street holding hands together. NOT JUST LITTLE GIRLS, BUT ALSO WOMEN. In the US, one might conclude that they are lesbians, but here nobody thinks like that. Guys are all up on each other too LOL.

GIRLS, PLEASE DO NOT OBJECTIFY KOREAN GUYS AND IMMEDIATELY CALL THEM "OPPA"
Questions to consider before calling an older male friend "Oppa" Before doing so analyze your current relationship.
Have you known him for a while?
Are you close?
Does he say "call me,oppa"?
BECAUSE IF YOU ARE NOT CLOSE, HE WILL THINK YOU ARE CREEPY AND THIRSTY. LEMME BE REAL, GIRLS.

Ohhhh, haha just pointing out other cultural differences, here you can show all the leg you want but showing shoulders and chest is considered "inappropriate."

Koreans are very blunt about physical appearances, but beat around the bush about other things. They be stylish af here in Seoul.

Those are my observations so far..... HAHAHA

Monday, June 27, 2016

OMG PRE-ORIENTATION IN SEATTLE

Today I will be arriving to Seattle. Then on the 29th, all of the NSLIY students and staff will travel together to SOUTH KOREAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for my flight -----....--------

Sunday, June 12, 2016

안녕하세요!!!!! 2 more weeks until I leave to the orientation in Washington and then leave to South Korea. ^^

Saturday, June 11, 2016

First Post ! Intro to my future travels and me!!!

I am Adi, a California girl, and I will be studying Korean at Sookmyung University in Seoul this summer! I'm so pumped! I can't wait to be all touristy and visit Namsang tower and explore all the different districts. CANNOT WAIT TO EAT HANSHIK :D

Tteokbukki

NIGHT IN SEOUL