Did you know that Korea has not only its own language, but also its own alphabet? One of the first things I learned was to read in 한글 (hangul), an alphabet with many consonants and vowels that we don’t have in English. Now, I can write in 한글 and even read signs and menus in public!
Outside of class, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring cafés, shops and the traditional market in 괴산 (Goesan). I’ll talk more about food in my next article for you, but two things that make South Korea unique are its café culture and its traditional markets. Unlike those in the United States, many Korean cafés stay open until late at night, and people are known to drink coffee all day long! Additionally, almost every town and city has at least one market, where people sell everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh fish, handmade clothing and electronics. Beyond 괴산 (Goesan), I have also visited an ice fishing festival in the northern part of the country and the Independence Hall of Korea, a giant museum in the center of South Korea.
Next week, I’m moving to 청주 (Cheongju), a city of about 850,000 people. In South Korea, the school year starts in March, so I’ll begin teaching in two weeks. I can’t wait for this chapter of my journey! I’ll talk to you again soon!
