Annyeounghaseyo: Learning Korean

When I began telling people that I was moving to Korea, I was always asked whether or not I knew Korean....and the answer was a big, fat NO.  I didn't even know how to say a simple "hello" when I arrived here.  I know it wasn't the smartest decision I ever made, and I really should have taken a little time to learn a few phrases before I got here, but I didn't.  Some people would be terrified to go to a foreign country where they don't speak the native language, but I can tell you from personal experience that it isn't as difficult to get around as it may seem.  Being able to speak English is something we all take for granted everyday, but we're actually extremely lucky to be able to call English our first language.  Native English speakers can go ANYWHERE in the world and 99.9% of the time can expect to find someone who knows at least a little bit of English.  People whose native language is not English usually choose to study English as a foreign language.  For example, in the U.S. if a person chooses to study a foreign language, it's most likely going to be Spanish, because of our close proximity to Mexico; well, if you live anywhere else in the world (Europe, Asia, Middle East...) and you choose to study a foreign language, it's most likely going to be English, because it is quickly becoming the gateway language of the world.  On the other hand, if you grew up in Germany (speaking German, of course!), and you want to travel to South Korea (or any non-German speaking country for that matter), you would have a terrible time finding someone that speaks German to help you out.  So let's all take a moment to be thankful that we speak a language that allows us so many opportunities, especially when going abroad.

So back to me not knowing any Korean....

For the past few weeks, I have been taking Korean language lessons with about 8 other native English teachers that also live in my city.  We are taught by a fellow English teacher who happens to be Korean-Canadian (she was born in Korea and then moved to Canada in elementary school, so she is bilingual----something I aspire to be one day!).  The Korean language is not easy to learn, for obvious reasons.  For one, the Korean alphabet, known as Hangeul, uses symbols instead of western-style letters found in languages like English and Spanish.  So no A, B, C, or D.  Hangeul contains 14 consonants and 10 vowels.  Each consonant and vowel has its own sound, and words are spelled exactly how they sound (which can't be said for English).  So after 3 weeks of Korean lessons, I can already read and write Korean because I've memorized each symbol and its sound.  While it may sound impressive that I can already read and write within a few weeks of learning, don't be fooled; I can read and write, but that doesn't mean I know the meaning of the words I'm reading...  But, I have learned a few phrases/words that I am able to speak without hesitation.  These include: Hello, My name is Kylee, I am American, I am foreign, Yes, No, Teacher, dog, downtown, I like..., I don't like...

And, the list can only grow from here!

The Korean alphabet known as Hangeul

Kylee (in Korean), pronounced Kah-eel-lee because there is no "I" sound in Hangeul

Some words are the same in English and Korean, too.  Here's a few words that are the same in both languages: bus, game, radio, banana, pineapple, television, piano, Canada, air conditioner, medical clinic, menu, supermarket, camera, and ice cream (and if you know me well, you know that this is an important one for me to know!!)  Also, my students love to say "Oh my god!"because they hear it in movies and songs, and the phrase has pretty much been adopted into the Korean language now.

There is also Konglish.  Konglish is English words that have been adopted into Korean culture but have a different meaning/definition than what we would think.
Konglish examples (the Korean meaning is in parenthesis, and you should know the English meaning):
> glamour (a woman's bust)
>cider (Sprite)
>jelly (gummy bears/worms)
>Burberry (a trenchcoat)
>one room (a studio apartment)
>cunning (cheating)

Some signs I saw in Seoul that were in English but made no sense!!!  It is actually quite common for Korean advertisements, clothing, etc. to have English writing on it, but many times it is just a bunch of English words put together that don't make sense when combined!  

This is just a little insight into the Korean language that I've learned thus far.  My goal is to learn enough Korean to be able to have a basic conversation with my fellow teachers at my school...wish me luck!  I guess you have to start somewhere..  

  

Korean Heating

Today is the first day since being in South Korea (still can't believe I'm really here!) that I have had to turn on the heat in my apartment.  I guess you could say winter is quickly approaching.  So you might be wondering why I'm writing a blog post about the heat, right?  Well, it just so happens that the Korean heating system comes through the floor.  It was the strangest feeling tonight when I walked on the floor and there was instant warmth on my feet!  Guess what that means???  No stepping on cold hardwood floors this winter!  I think maybe the U.S. should take a hint from Korea on how to do heating the right way...

(Don't worry, my floor is clean because you're not allowed to wear shoes inside the apartment.  All shoes must be left at the door.)

Up until now, I've not been able to say anything that I will truly miss about Korea when I decide to leave, but this heated floors phenomenon just broke that trend because this is definitely something I will be begging for once I'm back stateside!

The Beginning...

About time I started this blog, right?  Well, as I always say, better late than never!

For starters, here are a few quick facts about my journey and life so far:

The beginning of my adventure began in March 2013, when I started filling out the EPIK (English Program in Korea) application.....it was a slow (but worthwhile!) process..

I left St. Louis Lambert airport on Aug.17 at 7am, and after a connecting flight in Chicago, IL, I arrived in Incheon/Seoul airport at 4pm on Aug. 18.  It was approximately a 21-hour journey (now who wants to come visit me?) .

I have officially been an "alien" of the Republic of South Korea for 45 days and counting..

I live in Jecheon-si City, which resides in Chungcheongbuk-do province, the only landlocked province in South Korea.  Jecheon has a population of around 140,000 people.  It is nicknamed the "Healing City".

Jecheon has a beautiful lake on the outskirts of the city, called Urimji Lake.

Many people have told me that Jecheon is the coldest city in South Korea.  I do not have factual evidence of this, but it's a good thing that cold weather is my favorite nonetheless.

There are around 35 other foreign English teachers in Jecheon.  They hail from all parts of the world, including Ireland, the UK, United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa!

I teach at Jungang Elementary School, which serves K-6th grades.  I also teach all grades, K-6th.  

My school is a 1/2 mile from my apartment and I walk there everyday.  My working hours are 9am-6pm.

I never EVER thought that I would one-day be a teacher; after all, my degree is in International Business with an English minor.  But, there is no denying that ecstatic feeling I get when my students say "Hello Kylee Teacher" and "See you later".  Don't get me wrong though, I will NEVER teach in the U.S.

I have 2 co-teachers at my school: So-Seong, 26, and Rora, 44.  Rora is my main co-teacher, which means we work together to plan lessons and we co-teach in the classroom.  She speaks great English, which I am so very thankful for!

On the other hand, I do not speak Korean, but I am picking up some useful phrases here and there which are making life a little easier.  I am taking Korean language lessons every Wednesday though.  For everything else, there's Google translate on the iPhone.

My biggest complaint so far?  Korean food.  There are a few things I like, but most things I just don't like.  You have to give me props for trying everything though! The main problem is that a lot of Korean food is spicy, and I just can't handle spicy.

I often try foods here that I have no idea what I'm putting into my mouth; which is why I recently found out I've been eating anchovies for lunch (surprisingly, they're not too bad..)

Koreans do know how to make some delicious fried chicken though.

On the other hand, I am finding that I like foods that I would never eat in the U.S.  For example, I hate bananas.  I can't even remember the last time I tried a banana in the U.S.  In Korea, I LOVE bananas!  My hypothesis for this sudden change in tastebuds is that I eat anything that is familiar, therefore it tastes good.

My city does have some familiar restaurants, including Dunkin' Donuts, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Quizno's and Baskin-Robbins.

Korean age is different than American age.  In the U.S., I am 22 years old.  In Korea, I am 24 years old.  Koreans determine age like this: 1) the day you were born, you were 1 year old, 2) the following new year, you were 2 years old, 3) you turn one year older on every birthday after that.  For example, I was born on Dec. 2, making me 1 year old the day I was born.  One month later, on Jan. 2, I was 2 years old because of the new year.  Crazy, huh???

North Korea is a threat to South Korea, but to tell you the truth, South Koreans don't give a shit about  North Korea's menacing antics.  They have been hearing about them for 50+ years and simply don't care anymore.


Despite what some people believe, Korea IS NOT a third-world country, and my city has everything I could possibly want or need (except maybe a dryer..)

Thus far, this country and its people have been nothing but welcoming to me and I love it.

Only 46 more weeks to go!


I hope you enjoyed reading about my adventure thus far...look out for the next installment (coming much sooner than this one did!)