[Sixth letter from Seoul] 교육=Education

Wow, it's been a while since new semester started.  

Korea University(where I attend) is the same as few years ago except that I'm quite old compared newly-coming students.  Unlike my previous first year in the university, now I know what I need to study, and what I focus on for my dream. :)

Here are lists what I'm taking in this semester and I'd like to explain about Korean education system/culture. 

In Korea University:

European Business: German prof. Fabion lectures and I'm more academically learning about EU system and business.

European Geography: I did present about my Nordic experiences to colleagues and other interesting presentations are going to hold  

Teacher Training: From next week, I'm going to Chang-il middle school for the training.  It's 4 weeks and I'm excited enough! Next letter would be Korean Middle School Students' lives, haha.

Psychology in Education

School management

In Seoul Nat. University:

'Manage Korean Company for next generation' by the former CEO of SK corp. Mr. 손길승

 

To sum up, EDUCATION + EUROPE + BUSINESS[Korean ways vs. European ways] are the main themes that I'm into.  Reestablishing my identity through lectures and people is very important for my current life.  Frankly, I was struggled a lot of so many differences and so many diversities from last cultural exposures.  Of course, it became the great turning point for my life and future, however, even if other cultures have influenced me a lot, basically I could not help but think of the root, the mentality 'that I'm Korean'.

In Koreans' sense, education is such a big theme for our lives.  Nowadays, even President Obama mentioned 'Korean's way of education' in positive ways, however, it also has side effects such as frantic investment for child's education.  I assume that more than 500$ is the average amounts of money for each Korean family privately spend.  More kids mean 'more' investment and that's another factor which effects Koreans low birth rate. 

Here is fundamental mentality Koreans have and I believe it's directly influenced by Confucianism. 

"There is always something we could learn, especially from elders. Therefore, respect and learn from them."

It's somewhat different from obedience, however, it would be reflected in that way if you see at first. 

Now in Seoul Nat. University, I'm taking a lecture from the former SK CEO Mr. Son(SK is top 5 huge company(size) in Korea, and its' main fields are energy and telecommunications). He's born in Japanese colonial period and has experienced all about quite a moment in my country's development.  It's absolutely fascinating to take his words from the class and learn from my right-before-previous generation.  I personally believe 'education'  is such an amazing way to give back to the society and it's precious time for me to learn from history.  It's quite common nowadays lots of successful people turn back to lecture halls and educate younger generations in my country.

Hej, Just wondering what kinds of 'learning' cultures you have and you've experienced. 

Let me hear yours.

Hugs,

Sun Young Kim