E-mails

July 15, 2009

This weekend we are going to a Buddhist temple where we can have some free time to hike and eat toast for breakfast. We start teaching at Camp Fulbright next week so they said that hiking around the Buddhist temples is a great way to relax before the chaos.

July 13, 2009

This past weekend was great. On Friday, we went out with some Korean students on campus, played lots of new drinking games and sang norabong (karaoke). We had workshops all day Saturday and on Saturday night I just relaxed  and tried to get some rest. I did meet some nice Russian friends when I was sitting outside under a pagoda. They are in town for an international taekwondo tournament being held on campus. Sunday I had workshops all afternoon and studied for the rest of the day.  I am getting very little sleep and it’s starting to catch up to me.

July 7, 2009

We had our language test this morning and that was pretty much a short written part and talk with our korean teachers. It wasn't too bad and I was placed in the beginner group. After the test we were all put in one room in our academic building and told that we as a group were being put in isolation for the next 24 hours. One person was not feeling well this morning (no flu like symptoms at all- they think he was just dehydrated from his flight) but was sent to a doctor to be sure. Kangwon University wanted all of us to wear masks and be required to stay in our dorm for the next 24 hours. After our coordinators had some meetings we do not have to wear the masks and are allowed to stay within one building to have our courses this afternoon. People are now walking around on campus in masks. I still sort of feel like I am at camp. I think of you often.

 

July 5, 2009

So after about 35 hours I finally reached Chuncheon at about 9:30am korea time. We had class and orientation stuff all day and just finished dinner. There is nothing like octopus and kimchi for dinner after having been awake for most of the past 48 hours. The people here are great and the program is very very organized. Our schedule is packed, but I am looking forward to most of the things we will be doing. Luckily I have an internet connection in my dorm room so I am able to use the internet at my leisure.

July 5, 2009

I made it but I am not near a phone. I’m glad that I have my ipod.

Love you