[끝]
This will conclude the series on my summer in Korea.
Day 37 was my last and final day in the motherland. It actually took a while for it to hit me - that this was my last day. I was actually quite busy in the morning packing and cleaning. After checking out of my room I went and visited the InKAS office to have lunch with one of their staff. After eating I quickly went back to my guesthouse to pick up my luggage and head to the airport.
I had wanted to say goodbye to the guesthouse proprietor but I ended up leaving earlier than expected...luckily I had done a semi-goodbye the night before. I hope to pay a visit to the guesthouse whenever I return to Korea - it was my home for all this time and the staff was wonderful!
In the subway station I ran into one of my classmates and one of her Korean friends. We all chatted on the 45 minute train ride to the airport. I tried out some of my Korean skills, just a few phrases but, apparently those sounded pretty good as I was complimented on my accent~
Unfortunately I didn't manage a formal goodbye to my classmate or new Korean friend as we were all running around the airport returning cell phones and such. I actually changed clothes because I had sweated through my original set due to the oppressive Korean summer heat and humidity.
Long story short I made it back to the USA via Canada...
[Epilogue]
It was the summer of a lifetime. I met so many amazing people from around the world; people I would have never met had I not participated in this program. I experienced a classroom setting for the first time in many years and had great teachers who were enthusiastic about teaching. I got better at a language I wish to improve even more on. I experienced a culture that I have a great affinity for...
I also got to meet adoptees from around the globe. I found that Korea brings so many different people together - the common bond we share. I continue to expand the network of adoptees I know and made some great friends.
I hope to share more adventures with you all soon.
~
Showing posts with label sadness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sadness. Show all posts
Friday, August 23, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
My Korean Summer 2013: Day 32 - Sogang KIP Graduation Ceremony & Dinner ㅠ.ㅠ
슬프다 (sad)...the last and final event with all my dear friends & teachers I have met this summer. The program had prepared a graduation/closing ceremony for us all where there was actually a lot of student participation. The MCs were level 4 students and fit the job perfectly. Sometimes one would translate for the other but the translations didn't always match perfectly (on purpose) or the way the delivery was made was just humorous. You sometimes heard a huge paragraph in Korean and the English version was "We learned much about Korean culture!"
There were speeches given by the head of the department and the head of the program. Another level 4 student gave a speech which included using the phrase YOLO which I later had to explain to my 선생님 (teacher). The teaching assistants made a movie trailer style video chronicling our TaeKwonDo class. It was quite entertaining. We also got to hear some class presentations detailing life and culture in Korea.
The one thing I was not expecting was the amount of dancing that took place...which was awesome. Two student groups and a group of teaching assistants did dances. The TAs danced to the Crayon Pop song "빠빠빠" (embedded below):
One student group danced to Monster by BIGBANG:
Another did a compilation of many songs but one was Wild by 9Muses:
After receiving our certificates there were many hugs and photos (and some tears ㅠ.ㅠ). While we only had a short 4-5 weeks with each other, many of us bonded quite closely. This included the teachers as well.
Next was dinner! A giant buffet dinner was arranged for us at a near by hall. More hugs, photos, eating, and yes...more tears were exchanged.
Even though I go back to the USA tomorrow, it's still hard to believe I am leaving Korea. I spent many hours with my classmates in and out of class, meeting people from all over the globe, sharing the common interesting of learning more about this tiny peninsula in Asia. I know I will be back very soon. To my classmates, teachers, and TAs - we will meet again someday!
~
There were speeches given by the head of the department and the head of the program. Another level 4 student gave a speech which included using the phrase YOLO which I later had to explain to my 선생님 (teacher). The teaching assistants made a movie trailer style video chronicling our TaeKwonDo class. It was quite entertaining. We also got to hear some class presentations detailing life and culture in Korea.
The one thing I was not expecting was the amount of dancing that took place...which was awesome. Two student groups and a group of teaching assistants did dances. The TAs danced to the Crayon Pop song "빠빠빠" (embedded below):
One student group danced to Monster by BIGBANG:
Another did a compilation of many songs but one was Wild by 9Muses:
After receiving our certificates there were many hugs and photos (and some tears ㅠ.ㅠ). While we only had a short 4-5 weeks with each other, many of us bonded quite closely. This included the teachers as well.
Next was dinner! A giant buffet dinner was arranged for us at a near by hall. More hugs, photos, eating, and yes...more tears were exchanged.
Even though I go back to the USA tomorrow, it's still hard to believe I am leaving Korea. I spent many hours with my classmates in and out of class, meeting people from all over the globe, sharing the common interesting of learning more about this tiny peninsula in Asia. I know I will be back very soon. To my classmates, teachers, and TAs - we will meet again someday!
~
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