I'm the student from Central States RYE that isn't in Busan, and I have to say that a lot of the things that you talked about with school also apply in my small town. My school is the equivalent to US middle school and only has around 50 people total. When I got here, they had me go to school on my first day, so I've gotten to see a lot of how things work in my school.
The hair thing that you talked about happens here too. The girls constantly use those little mirrors and comb their hair in nearly every passing period (The other exchange students and I find it really funny to watch). I haven't seen any of the make up thing though, but I think that could just be that they are too young for it.
The sleeping thing is also very common at my school, but not with as many of those fancier pillows that you talked about. At my school, they usually will use the pillows that they bring to sit on (because the seats are kind of uncomfortable). It seems to depend on the teacher for whether they allow it or not. One of my teachers yells and hits stuff to try to keep people awake. Even with that, I saw someone fall asleep and be woken up by the teacher and sent out into the hall for a bit. I think that sleeping is more acceptable in their classrooms, because it seems like their system relies more on students' abilities to self study, so they will go to more school afterwards or do more outside of school.
In my classes, I've been working on Korean out of a Grammar book that I brought with me, and I had one of the same experiences as you did with your teacher. A couple of times, teachers have walked around the classroom and asked what I was working on then basically announced it to the class. It was really awkward, but I can deal with it if it prevents me from falling asleep and helps me with my Korean.
I was definitely also surprised by how different things were from my expectations. I was expecting a much more strict environment in the classroom, because that's what I had heard about. It seems like the punishments are much different from those back home and are perhaps more undesirable for students.
I'm sorry that you haven't adjusted to the food yet, but I'm sure it will become normal soon. My parents were surprised when my host family told them that I was trying everything.
If you'd like to, you can follow my blog too. It's at http://lieonsaja.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed your video and look forward to hearing more, PJ
Cass!! So happy that your enjoying Korea! When you describe the events and details, i can soo imagine everything you say! (and i think that Canada should have those arm pillow things!...dunno how the teachers would handle them though..). I really like the video idea, love seeing your face! :D Can't wait to hear from you again!! p.s, this is my english blog account :P Love always, Lesley. R
Hi Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI'm the student from Central States RYE that isn't in Busan, and I have to say that a lot of the things that you talked about with school also apply in my small town. My school is the equivalent to US middle school and only has around 50 people total. When I got here, they had me go to school on my first day, so I've gotten to see a lot of how things work in my school.
The hair thing that you talked about happens here too. The girls constantly use those little mirrors and comb their hair in nearly every passing period (The other exchange students and I find it really funny to watch). I haven't seen any of the make up thing though, but I think that could just be that they are too young for it.
The sleeping thing is also very common at my school, but not with as many of those fancier pillows that you talked about. At my school, they usually will use the pillows that they bring to sit on (because the seats are kind of uncomfortable). It seems to depend on the teacher for whether they allow it or not. One of my teachers yells and hits stuff to try to keep people awake. Even with that, I saw someone fall asleep and be woken up by the teacher and sent out into the hall for a bit. I think that sleeping is more acceptable in their classrooms, because it seems like their system relies more on students' abilities to self study, so they will go to more school afterwards or do more outside of school.
In my classes, I've been working on Korean out of a Grammar book that I brought with me, and I had one of the same experiences as you did with your teacher. A couple of times, teachers have walked around the classroom and asked what I was working on then basically announced it to the class. It was really awkward, but I can deal with it if it prevents me from falling asleep and helps me with my Korean.
I was definitely also surprised by how different things were from my expectations. I was expecting a much more strict environment in the classroom, because that's what I had heard about. It seems like the punishments are much different from those back home and are perhaps more undesirable for students.
I'm sorry that you haven't adjusted to the food yet, but I'm sure it will become normal soon. My parents were surprised when my host family told them that I was trying everything.
If you'd like to, you can follow my blog too. It's at http://lieonsaja.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed your video and look forward to hearing more,
PJ
Cass!! So happy that your enjoying Korea! When you describe the events and details, i can soo imagine everything you say! (and i think that Canada should have those arm pillow things!...dunno how the teachers would handle them though..). I really like the video idea, love seeing your face! :D Can't wait to hear from you again!!
ReplyDeletep.s, this is my english blog account :P
Love always, Lesley. R