In this journal I'll talk about some traditions that exist in South Korea, and one tradition that is specific to Jeju Island. South Korea has many traditions that are centered on two important topics: respecting other people and good luck.
I have learned about two traditions recently. The first is the South Korean tradition to give candy to a student if they have a test that day. This is to give the student good luck on their exam. My host family has a tradition of giving their children money if they do well on their exam as well. The second is a Jeju-specific tradition, which is to clean up a beach during the first week of summer. You can go whenever you want during that week, but "When are you going to the beach this week?" is a very common question during the first week of summer.
South Koreans give candy to students before they take a test in order to give them more confidence. Tests are very important in South Korea, and so it is important to make the students feel less nervous. My host parents also want my siblings to do well on their tests, and so they reward them for doing well. Although this is not the case with all families in South Korea or on Jeju Island specifically.
