Thursday, August 17, 2017

Second Semester Part II (05/12~06/21)

In part 2 of summarizing the second semester I will discuss my experience with CKEP 3, school festivals and the end of the semester.

CKEP 3 was to 남이섬 (Nami Island) In the Chuncheon Province of Korea (about 63km away from Seoul).  the normal price is 10,000원 per "visa" (ticket) to get to the island by ferry or 30,000원 by zip line.  However, through going with the OIA it was free to enter by ferry.  There was a limitation of about 75 students who could apply to go but this time they did not worry about filling up spaces too much because there was also temple stay that same weekend and we could only choose one or the other.  Personally I did not like this CKEP.  It was an educational (kind of) experience but the island is smaller than you would think and too hyped up in my personal opinion.  There were some cool and interesting things but there were two gift shops, two places to eat, one cafe, one hotel and the rest were landmarks.  I went through the whole island and saw everything about 4 or 5 times in the amount of time we were on the island.  I will post pictures below.  One fact about the island (why i referred to the tickets as visas) is that for tourist reasons, the island recognizes itself as an independent country.
Upon entry here is a map of Nami Island that will show you where everything is at on the island.  It's pretty small.
Here is the ferry we used to get on and off the island

The tomb to a very prestigious general.  His final resting place was placed on this island after it was secured as an independent country (I believe).

At the northern most point of the island there is this bridge that you can walk across just to walk across it.  It isn't really a sort cut to anything.

Aaron wanted to stop and take a selfie on the bridge.  Everyone else was doing it haha

Walking down a path you will see this cute little elephant.

Here is the eatery on the island.  Their bibimbap is really good.  There is a peacock that lives on this island sitting on that tree.  The island has 2 peacocks.

I am standing on a stage and across it and down on the lawn is this group of huts.  You can go inside but they have about as much room for one toddler, if even that.  

When we came there was a parade celebrating children's literacy.  The island is very big on the importance of regularly reading as and with a child.

Here is a little gazebo

A path of trees.  I probably liked this the most.  It was very different.  


Starting in May there are the university festivals.  The university festivals are put on at every university so that the students can get some relaxation and fun in before or even during finals (depending on when the university has theirs scheduled).  CAU had theirs scheduled for the second week (a month before finals).  There is a lot of food, A LOT of drinking and concerts.  I personally did not like the lineup for CAU and therefore I didn't go to the one for CAU but I went the festival for other universities with better lineups and much better food.  I attended the festivals for Sungkyunkwan (성균관) and Incheon Universities (인천 대학교).  Their foods were different (and cheaper) and there was a higher assortment of everything.  

My friends and I at the festival for 성균관대.  We won a free polaroid too

The concert lineup for the festival at 인천대.  Red Velvet was the main attraction for the festival.  My friend and I stood near the front row.  

Like I said, the festivals are put on before or during finals so we can have fun but sometimes, depending on the class, finals can be pretty fun.  We get to do group projects, presentations, mini plays, interviews, etc.  All sorts of things we would never do here in the schools I have been to.
In my British-American culture class.  We did class presentations and got to do role playing with masks.  The teacher is not the best and not the most accurate when it comes to historical facts but the final was fun.  


Finally, in the end we had to pack up and go home.  My friends and I however took some photos before we parted ways (I went to China for a little bit and came back for a couple weeks before returning home.  I will write a separate entry about that though).

Moe, Becky, Harry, me, Angus and half of Denise.  hanging out at midnight in the lounge during the week move-out was beginning.  Our midnight hang outs were fun and I will miss them ㅠㅠ

Did some photo shoots (shout out to my friend and awesome photographer, Howard who is in the middle holding the camera).  This one is on top of 310

At the dragon pond

On top of 310 with all of Northern Seoul behind us

중앙대학교 Chung Ang University (main gate/정문)

310 1f

From left to right: me, Becky, Moe, Toby, JP, Angus.  Moe and Becky came to see us all off as we left on June 21st to all go to China.  The last time I saw my friends for a long time but not forever.  The semester was amazing and really really fun.  I am grateful I spent another semester in Seoul and strengthened relationships and made new ones.  


  

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