Flying on Korean Airlines was a good transition from American culture into Korean culture. Despite the diversity of cultures present amongst the passengers, the Korean stewardesses clearly portrayed their culture. I have not flown on many airlines before, but as I compared Korean Airline with my past experiences with different airlines the kindness here was more genuine.
Stewardesses of Korean Airlines
In America the act of kindness is taken to a certain extent where people do not feel belittled or feel forced into a degree of politeness that feels uncomfortable. I sat across from a man who seems to be airsick, and the stewardess showed great concern for his well being. The stewardess bent down on her knees and spoke to him gently, and comforted him with plenty of wet towels. The stewardesses were fluent in Korean, but spoke broken English that was difficult to understand. Unless it was with in the stewardess’s English vocabulary, such as, towel, water, juice and other words that was commonly used on the airlines. The lady I sat next to on the plane wanted something to take care of her bloatedness, but in return she had two or three stewardesses come up to her trying to figure out what she needed. It was very interesting to me that speaking English is an important skill to have for employment, but this airline clearly caters to Korean culture. When we got to Korea my friend Mike and I were greeted at the airport by a Woosong University’s coordinator. The coordinator's name is Shawn and his assistant's name is Wendy. I soon recognized that English was practiced in Korea, but not enough English where I can freely communicate with the people in Korea. My first meal in Korea was a popular noodle dish that Shawn ordered for me at the airport, and I recognized the differences in food culture in Korea compared to America both in flavors and the lack of meat in my meal. In this airport I met other people that were in the Woosong Summer Cultural Program that came from New Zealand, and we immediately became friends.
Wow, I am really in Korea!
-nancy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been on study abroad trips before: China, London, Paris and Mexico City- but this was a little different. My destinations were Korea (Daejeon, Seoul, & Busan) and hopefully Fukoaka, Japan. The assignment was to experience and document Korea contemporary and traditional culture. For the next 30 days, my fellow Woodbury alumnus, Nancy and I will be representing our institution at Woosong University in Daejeon. Being the only two on the plane from Woodbury, I scope down the aisle of my plane for other possible students. There were a few from the states but none headed to Woosong. We touched down to Incheon Airport around 16:45 Aug. 2. All I can say after baggage claim was thank God for TSA locks- that is the only thing certain for airport security nowadays. At the checkpoint arrival,. We headed to section 3B according to our emailed instructions from Mr Kyunam Choi. Along the way, we passed a man and woman whom seem to be in their mid twenties- carrying a “Woosong” folder.
I caught up and politely asked: “Woosong? ”.
Both paused and seemed pleasantly surprised.
“We are from Woodbury...”
He replied:
-"Right, right. My name is Shawn, and this is Wendy. You guys are early!"
(In Asia, university students all study english. So, it is very popular to pick an English nickname for yourself!)
Apparently, the pick-up was arranged to be around 9 pm from the airport because we were arriving before the second group which was from New Zealand. They arrived within an hour and of course there was moments of 30 minute silence awkwardness. The group was actually Chinese students studying at Waikato University in New Zealand. Out of nowhere, Wendy ,who greeted us in English, began speaking in Mandarin to the Waikato students!
Mandarin in Korea....
After this group, there were two more from Waikato coming in late. To kill time, Nancy and I played cards. Nancy taught me this Cambodian gambling game involving pairs. Key was to get rid your hand by collecting pairs. Members of the New Zealand were looking over and then Nancy invited them to play. A few began greeting us in English and then invited the rest of the group to come over. So as the game was being explained in English, Waikato students would teach other in Mandarin and then Wendy explained it to Shawn in Korean. Player that wins the most rounds gets the pot (money collected.); But this was all in good fun...
Cards and a little money... everyone understands each other
-mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, I am really in Korea!
-nancy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been on study abroad trips before: China, London, Paris and Mexico City- but this was a little different. My destinations were Korea (Daejeon, Seoul, & Busan) and hopefully Fukoaka, Japan. The assignment was to experience and document Korea contemporary and traditional culture. For the next 30 days, my fellow Woodbury alumnus, Nancy and I will be representing our institution at Woosong University in Daejeon. Being the only two on the plane from Woodbury, I scope down the aisle of my plane for other possible students. There were a few from the states but none headed to Woosong. We touched down to Incheon Airport around 16:45 Aug. 2. All I can say after baggage claim was thank God for TSA locks- that is the only thing certain for airport security nowadays. At the checkpoint arrival,. We headed to section 3B according to our emailed instructions from Mr Kyunam Choi. Along the way, we passed a man and woman whom seem to be in their mid twenties- carrying a “Woosong” folder.
I caught up and politely asked: “Woosong? ”.
Both paused and seemed pleasantly surprised.
“We are from Woodbury...”
He replied:
-"Right, right. My name is Shawn, and this is Wendy. You guys are early!"
(In Asia, university students all study english. So, it is very popular to pick an English nickname for yourself!)
Apparently, the pick-up was arranged to be around 9 pm from the airport because we were arriving before the second group which was from New Zealand. They arrived within an hour and of course there was moments of 30 minute silence awkwardness. The group was actually Chinese students studying at Waikato University in New Zealand. Out of nowhere, Wendy ,who greeted us in English, began speaking in Mandarin to the Waikato students!
Mandarin in Korea....
After this group, there were two more from Waikato coming in late. To kill time, Nancy and I played cards. Nancy taught me this Cambodian gambling game involving pairs. Key was to get rid your hand by collecting pairs. Members of the New Zealand were looking over and then Nancy invited them to play. A few began greeting us in English and then invited the rest of the group to come over. So as the game was being explained in English, Waikato students would teach other in Mandarin and then Wendy explained it to Shawn in Korean. Player that wins the most rounds gets the pot (money collected.); But this was all in good fun...
Cards and a little money... everyone understands each other
-mike
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 comment:
Welcome to Korea! If you need any help when you get to Daejeon, let me know. I'd be happy to give you a hand.
Kim
Post a Comment