Alright, all of my classes and exchanges have started, so I can officially say I'm in the full swing of the semester. Fall has graced us with its presence. Sunday, we had temperatures in the mid 80's only to be quite surprised by low 60's on Monday. I'm not sure if I'm ready for fall quite yet, but I guess I better get ready!
This semester, I have 7 hours of exchanges with 13 different exchange partners. It is about half of the number of exchanges I had last semester. I am really happy to have this smaller number because I can get to know my partners better and be able to find what they need to work on in their English conversation skills. My exchange partners range in ability from only being able to speak in very simple sentences to asking for help on SAT prep reading passages. I hope I can help all of my partners improve over the semester.
I started my Korean listening class, which is in a separate program from my other two Korean language classes. It is in what is considered the Chinese program, because most of the students are Chinese. It is a more intensive course, so I was anticipating this course with both excitement and a bit of apprehension. My teacher in the course is very sweet, yet she is quite thorough in her teaching. My classmates are all very sweet and are very hard working. So far I feel a little ahead of the class, but I am going to make sure I stay on top of my work to keep that.
My other language courses are going well so far. We are still trying to find a groove for the class considering we all come from different abilities with the language. My business class has been quite interesting as well. We discussed Korean culture last class in order to understand the background of the business world in Korea.
Some interesting statistics that were presented in class (not all may be completely up to date, but they are correct as of March 2011)
1. Korea has the 2nd highest suicide rate. I have discussed this before, but the pressure Koreans are placed under and the stigma towards mental illnesses can lead people to this tragic decision. From the example that really hit home for me (the SCH student who jumped from the Korean dorm last semester), the student was mentally ill and was never diagnosed because of the stigma. I don't think this will improve until society emphasizes self worth and does not reject people for their imperfections.
2. Korea has the highest cancer death rate in the world. The most common cancer is stomach cancer. I don't really understand why Korea, with free health care and modern medicine, is 1st in cancer deaths. I also found it interesting that stomach cancer is higher than both breast and lung cancer in Korea.
3. Korea has the highest youth smoking rate. I can believe this considering every Korean guy (apart from a couple) I know at school here smokes heavily. Cigarettes are really cheap ($3 a pack) so guys smoke like chimneys.
4. Korea is 1st in broadband internet. This is easy to see pretty much as soon as you land in Incheon: everyone pulls out their smartphones and starts chatting with someone on their webcam. The fact that 10 year olds are carrying Iphones around is a testament to the way in which Korea has embraced innovation. Technology is everywhere!
5. Korea is 1st in students completing higher education. The culture is very competitive with parents trying to give their kids an edge on their peers. It is expected that children will go to college and it is strongly encouraged for them to continue their studies afterwards.
6. 1st in Alcohol and 1st in Wine and Whiskey imports. There is a very prominent drinking culture in Korea. From college majors having meetings where students drink to coworkers going out for drinks and singing karaoke, alcohol has a very influential role in Korean society.
7. 3rd in Automobiles and 11th in GDP. Korea has the 59th largest population, yet from the hard work of the Korean people, they have developed itself into one of the movers and shakers of the global economy. Korea is an export focused country that has built itself from a 3rd world country 60 years ago into one of the main economies in the world.
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