CultureQuote

What’s Worse: Culture Shock or its Reverse?

Staring up from your luggage at an entirely new scenery is daunting no matter where you go, but returning to your home country may yet be more intimidating. People come and go—it’s a natural ebb and flow through time—but now its your turn. That feeling may very well be the worst.

I don’t know what was scarier: throwing myself into a country where I had only basic functional language skills and…

Public transportation in another can be daunting especially in a different country! This short guide gives you the 'need-to-know' for Seoul:

If you are new to Seoul, probably the first thing you will want to do is familiarize yourself with the subway system. But fear not! It’s very easy to use and does not require you to know any Korean whatsoever (although I’d still recommend having some knowledge up your sleeve).

I come from a suburban-leaning towards rural area in the U.S. where we lack all forms of public transportation, so you…

The ingenious invention of the Korean Alphabet! Hangeul Day!

October 9th comes with yet another South Korean holiday, 한글날 (Hangeulnal) or Korean Alphabet Day. Known as Hangeul Day in South Korea and Chosŏn’gŭl (조선글) Day in North Korea, this national holiday commemorates the creation of the Korean alphabet (Hangeul/Chosŏn’gŭl). The alphabet was invented in 1443 and proclaimed as the official alphabet in 1446 by King Sejong the Great.

It is commonly held…

Quality Kimchi is Important!

A restaurant is only as good as its kimchi.

The other day, I was out with one of my Korean friends for a nice dinner. When I asked her for recommendations, she pointed out a restaurant that has “the best kimchi on the block.” In my confusion I asked her what else she wanted to eat, because kimchi alone isn’t a meal. She explained to me that she didn’t want to go eat only kimchi but rather that…

The ‘No’ Vote and What it Means for Scotland

As many of you know, Scotland has decided to remain a part of the United Kingdom. In the end, the vote was 55% No and 45% Yes. So what now? Right after the vote there were some riots in places such as Glasgow. Also, the First Minister of Scotland resigned. There is supposed to be further devolution of power, but no change is fast. A few signs and activists linger in the streets. Divided sides…

개천절 (Gaecheonjeol) – National Foundation Day

It’s National Foundation Day in South Korea! Literally translated as the “Festival of the Opening of Heaven,” 개천절 (Gaecheonjeol) celebrates the foundation myth of the Gojoseon state (Ancient Korea). The story places the creation of Gojoseon by 단군 왕겁 (Dangun Wanggeom) at 2333 BC.

The Legend of Dangun

Dangun’s legend begins with Hwanin (환인), or the “Lord of Heaven.” Hwanin’s son, Hwanung (환웅),…

Chinese Short Story 003 晏子使楚 Yanzi Diplomatic mission to Chu

When Emperor You was killed in 770 BC by Quanrong, a barbarian tribe, the Chinese royalty lost control of the whole country. China was split up into states and suffered by endless wars until 221 BC.

Yanzi is a famous politician and diplomat in Qi, a state in North-East China. Unfortunately, God didn’t give him a good appearance to match his wisdom and resource. Yanzi was tiny and ugly. One day.…

Scotland is about to have one of the most historic votes in history! Check it out here:

This is a historic week in Scotland. Scotland is voting to decide if they want independence from the United Kingdom. Scotland joined the United Kingdom in 1707 through the Act of Union. In November of that year, the joint parliament met for the first time at Westminster. Early mention of a Scottish Parliament can be found dating back to the year 1235. Scottish Parliament was reestablished in…

9/8/2014. It is the Mid-Autumn Festival for this year. It is the second most important festival in Chinese culture (the first one is the Chinese Spring Festival). In Chinese culture, people pray to the Sun for a plentiful harvest and people pray to the Moon in appreciation for the harvest. So, you can say the Mid-Autumn Festival is Chinese thanksgiving. Koreans also celebrate it as 추석 (Chuseok),…

비가 오다~ How Suiting!

비가 오다 (biga oda)

Rain is coming.

This phrase is very suitable. Why? Because the way it rains here. The rain starts with the slightest smattering, almost like that of an ominous warning signal shouting, “You have 15 minutes before the sky let’s loose!” Then, as if on cue, the downpour sweeps in, almost teasingly. Best hope you have your umbrella with you, because when they sky decided to let it…

Pope Francis in Korea

Today marks my second week in Korea. Since I arrived I have met many friends, all eager to show me around Korea and to chat up a storm. This past week I have spent my time settling into the dormitory at Yonsei University and sorting out things for my semester here. As such, I hadn’t found the time to write much but I have a long, long list of topics to write about already.

I’m a little late in…

Chinese Short Story 002 愚公移山 Mr. Stupid Moves the Mountains

There were two mountains, TaiHang and WangWu, in the North of HeYang State. Both of them were bigger than 700 square miles, and taller than thousands of meters.

Mr. Stupid was a 90-years-old man. His home was in the north of the mountains. Every time, his families had to climb across mountains to go to the city. One day, he convened his family and said,”I am tired of climbing the mountains every…

I’ve had many great experiences already since entering Korea. I have two weeks before I enter university here, so I have been doing quite a lot of touring. That is why I haven’t posted much since arriving, but I have more than enough to write about.

Walking. Best to get used to it, because chances are you will be walking a lot. The public transportation is incredible here (I’ll follow up in the…

대한민국 안녕~! http://wp.me/s3evPa-arrival

Hello Korea! Actually, I arrived three days before writing this post. Two of my penpal friends came to the airport to ease my experience, and I tell you I cannot thank them enough for that! I would have managed, but simply being thrown in would probably have shocked me a bit.

Being from Kansas, we have a tender lack of sprawling cities which only heightens the immediate culture shock. That is not…

Invisibility and Unanswered Questions

Much is invisible to the human eye and much more is left to be uncovered about the world and our universe.  What we cannot observe is often the basis for the many unanswered questions that surround us every waking minute. Take a look at this interesting short video posted on TED-Ed by ignostic thinker, John Lloyd, and his observations on what we cannot observe.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/wat…