Orientations & Arrival
여러분 안녕하세요!
Hello from Seoul!
I've had a very busy last 6 days full of orientations, State Department presentations, icebreaker games with my fellow NSLIans, and lots of hanging out and bonding, but I am at last settled in with my host family in Jung-gu, Seoul. I am writing, belly full of delicious Korean Japanese food, from the desk in the Cho family's beautifully furnished apartment.
The group of 50 going to Seoul on NSLI-Y scholarships this summer all arrived at the Seattle airport on Monday, June 26th, and had Pre-Departure Orientation for the next few days. Monday was just hanging out and arriving, and Tuesday there were back-to-back presentations all morning and early afternoon. However, there was lots of time for us to walk around the University of Washington campus, where we were staying, and it is beautiful. We got up early and left at 7 for the airport. The flight lasted 11 hours, but was not too bad. We stayed at a hostel in Dobongsan, North Seoul for two nights, where we had our in-country orientation. On Friday we got to go out into the city in small groups with language supporters to learn our way around the city using the subway. I saw a Taekwondo performance in a traditional village, which was exciting.
On Saturday we were all picked up by our host families. My host father is a lecturer at the police academy in Seoul, and my host sister and brother, 11 and 14, respectively, are hardworking students! Both speak English very smoothly and say that they also know Chinese well. The family is incredibly kind and hospitable, and I look forward to spending the next 6 weeks with them. See below some pictures from the last few days.
Hello from Seoul!
I've had a very busy last 6 days full of orientations, State Department presentations, icebreaker games with my fellow NSLIans, and lots of hanging out and bonding, but I am at last settled in with my host family in Jung-gu, Seoul. I am writing, belly full of delicious Korean Japanese food, from the desk in the Cho family's beautifully furnished apartment.
The group of 50 going to Seoul on NSLI-Y scholarships this summer all arrived at the Seattle airport on Monday, June 26th, and had Pre-Departure Orientation for the next few days. Monday was just hanging out and arriving, and Tuesday there were back-to-back presentations all morning and early afternoon. However, there was lots of time for us to walk around the University of Washington campus, where we were staying, and it is beautiful. We got up early and left at 7 for the airport. The flight lasted 11 hours, but was not too bad. We stayed at a hostel in Dobongsan, North Seoul for two nights, where we had our in-country orientation. On Friday we got to go out into the city in small groups with language supporters to learn our way around the city using the subway. I saw a Taekwondo performance in a traditional village, which was exciting.
On Saturday we were all picked up by our host families. My host father is a lecturer at the police academy in Seoul, and my host sister and brother, 11 and 14, respectively, are hardworking students! Both speak English very smoothly and say that they also know Chinese well. The family is incredibly kind and hospitable, and I look forward to spending the next 6 weeks with them. See below some pictures from the last few days.
A couple dressed in hanbok - Korean traditional dress - getting wedding pictures in the traditional village
Pictures from the Taekwondo demonstration:
Namsan Tower
Sunset in the mountains which surround the city
Hey Josh, thanks for the updates and photos. Keep them coming! Praying for your time there. Mrs. & Mrs. Schmidt
ReplyDeleteHello, Grandson! Great to hear great things from you. You make us proud. God Bless! Grandmama and Big Daddy
ReplyDelete