Gwangju International Center

  안녕하세요! My name is Jeremy and I am from the United States. Recently I took part in the GIC Feel@Home Homestay program last Thursday, October 3. The GIC started October off with a bang as local foreigners explored Damyang with their new host families as part of the GIC's Feel@Home Homestay program. Fifteen participants from Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Gabon, Malaysia, the United States, and families from South Korea dyed t-shirts, walked in the "Slow City", tasted Smoked Duck, gained a firsthand view of a traditional Korean Tea Ceremony, and ended the day with a treasure hunt and game of Charades. This trip to Damyang was a truly different experience that I simply could not find in my home country of the United States and I'm glad I got to share it with the GIC!       I was greeted by my host sisters, Jinsil and Gina Choi, when I arrived at the GIC early Thursday morning. We met the other homestay families and rode the bus to our first activity of the day: dyeing t-shirts! I had never dyed t-shirts using Indigo (or any other natural ingredients for that matter), a blue color that is associated with the Azure Dragon of the east to symbolize water and plants. My shirt came out pretty well if I do say so myself! After dyeing our shirts, we strolled along the Slow City to learn more about its history but I also used this time to meet the other homestay participants and families.              Afterwards our group had lunch at Cheong Jeong Ok. Two delicious smoked ducks were on the menu along with traditional Korean side dishes. With full stomachs, we were ready to enjoy the Korean Tea Ceremony to see the proper way tea is prepared and drunken. Tea was a luxury in the past and drinking it was a sign of nobility and class, therefore preparing it required a specific process that we were fortunate enough to witness.              We ended our day with two games: a treasure hunt and Charades. The host families and homestay participants searched for the treasured pieces of paper with a GIC stamp for a prize at the end. We played our final game of Charades in which my team got second place!           I had great time exploring Korean culture in Damyang but my favorite part was dyeing our t-shirts. It was an interesting process and now I have a cool new t-shirt to show off! However, it was each and every one of the participants and host families that truly made this trip much more memorable. I'm glad I had the privilege and pleasure of sharing Damyang with the GIC!       Thanks GIC! Until next time! If you're interested in learning more about the GIC Feel@Home Homestay Program, check out our web page and join today!     Jeremy Azurin(USA, Feel@Home Homestay Participant) Photos by Gyeong-hwa Park  

  Small Changes for a  BIG Impact   Speaker : Paul Robert Foskey. Date:2013.09.14 Reviewer:Hyoseon Jeong Editor: Audrey Dubin    Before starting this talk, at the entrance, there were some vegetarian foods: hummus, peanut butter,and nuts cookies that Paul’s wife made. People could try the foods and they helped to understand what he wanted to say. He addressed the reason why he had become a vegetarian, what things have been changed since, and how to start to become a vegetarian. He started to be vegetarian because of his wife and both of them are enjoying their vegetarian life together. He then showed the pictures of foods that his wife made. When he talked about the foods, he looked so passionate and happy to eat and cook with his wife. We could see they are having a happy time as vegetarians and becoming healthier than before. He also said vegetarian life is quiet hard in Korea. He hopes to make it healthier Korea.   Lecture's Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOF2w5zlQrI Q& A part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3gYLp8KPZM Talk's Photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130914_PaulRobertFoskey  

Youth Sports in the U.S.   Speaker: Prof. Robert David Grotjohn Date: 2013.09.07 Reviewer: Jeremiah   Last Saturday's talk by Chonnam National University Professor David Grotjohn highlighted many points on youth sports in the United States of America. He discussed popular sports amongst American youth, sports and American politics, a comparative approach to Korean versus American sports culture, and even a sing-along slide to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in his highly interactive presentation. Furthermore, this particularly topic spurred many engrossing questions from the audience not just about youth sports in the United States but also in South Korea, including the wide divide between the percentage American and Korean youth participate in sports, especially amongst girls and boys. Equally interesting was the discussion following his presentation on current efforts in the United States, especially Dennis Rodman's visit to North Korea. Professor Grotjohn, a fan of basketball and American football, used many videos to further express his concepts and connected his experiences with sports in South Korea (such as playing alongside his Chinese students) and his perspectives as a soccer coach, referee, and sports parent. Drawing upon these different lenses, he admits, provided his own viewpoints in youth in sports, particularly in how parents and coaches struggle to remember the enjoyment and enthusiasm in sports. As Grantland Rice once said, "It's not that you won or lost but how you played the game.     Lecture's Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EP5mbyLbs4 Q& A part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9j7tjPwhLU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw22s4ed3HHu1d7g-teo_yw Talk's Photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130907_RobertGrotjohn

  Life in Korea: A Filipino Scientist’s Perspective   Speaker: Hannah Ebro  Date: 2013.07.30 Reviewer: Hyoseon Jeong Editor: Sam Winters   This GIC Talk was given by Hannah Ebro, an international student from the Philippines pursuing a graduate degree in the sciences here in Korea. Her talk focused on her personal experiences during her time in Korea, and spanned numerous topics, like food, culture, work, education, society, lifestyle and her newfound drinking abilities. Much of Hannah’s talk was comparative, using her native country as a reference, and it included many pictures via PowerPoint, many of which were of a personal nature. Hannah’s speaking style was friendly, energetic and at times humorous, with numerous personal stories that kept the audience’s attention and made the speaker seem very kind and approachable. The talk was a great bridge between the foreign and Korean communities in that it gave the audience a chance to see the Korea they’ve always known in a new light.   Watch the photos:  https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130727AFilipinoScientistSPerspective  

  Topic: President John F. Kennedy's Legacy after 50 years. Speaker: David Webber (Prof. of University of Missouri, USA) Reviewer: Choi Jinsil Proofreader: Bradley Weiss   The GIC talk on July 20th dealt with the fields of history and political science. Of course, a topic centered on the domestic and international politics of the US in the early 1960s might be difficult for most young people to understand, and maybe more so for Korean youths. However, it was a good opportunity to listen to the older generation's opinion. The topic was also well in line with what the speaker's, Professor David Webber, area of research. Professor Webber mentioned how he first became interested in John F. Kennedy as a boy, and which other people were likewise influenced by the former president, his history, his ideas, and his family. He was a president who fit in well with his contemporary time. It was the era when mass media first started to emerge, and technology was being developed rapidly. It was impressive that the professor refrained from offering his own speculation about Kennedy's assassination. There has been an abundance of materials on the subject, and he has read much himself, but Prof. Webber admitted it was such a complicated and sensitive topic that he decided to save his breath. One of the many interesting questions which were addressed during the talk is whether it would be possible for a president like Kennedy to emerge again in our current society?' Prof. Webber confessed that he thought it was doubtful that circumstances would ever allow for another such president of the US like John F. Kennedy.     Watch the photos:  https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/130720_DavidWebber_PresidentJohnFKennedySLegacyAfter50Years    

Speaker: Caitlyn de Beer  Date: 2013.07.13   Last Sat. July 13th, GIC talk entitled Life Coaching 101 (Life Without Limits) was very enlightening. This Talk is more like a seminar than an average Talk. To get you started, the Speaker addressed a few of the innate questions, we all tend to ask ourselves; “What do I want to do with my life?”, “What makes me come alive?”, “What are my short and long term goals?” Although impossible to answer all of one’s life questions in a simple 40 minutes, this talk will definitely spring board you in the right direction. By the end of the Talk, the listener should have at least 2 short term, measurable goals on which to work on over the next few months. Caitlyn de Beer is an English teacher at 2 Elementary Schools in Gwangju. Caitlyn has a strong Christian faith and is passionate about helping people step into their full potential, through goal setting and strategic planning. In 2012, Caitlyn worked as a Life Coach in the business world, and prior to that spent 2 years working as a community leader in poverty stricken communities.      Watch the talk's clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A84iZ4XUR8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw22s4ed3HHu1d7g-teo_yw Watch the photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940    

August 2013 GIC Culture Tour:  Land’s End and Bogil Island     (Land’s End - Lunch @ Ferry Terminal – Nohwa Island Abalone Aquaculture Center – Bogil Island - Saeyeon Pavilion – Yeasong Pebble Beach)   - Date:  August 31st – September 1st (1 night/2 days) - Price: 130,000KW for GIC members / 140,000KW for Non-members     Written by_Warren Parosns (Tour guide)     August brings summer to a close with back to school preparations and the gradual easing into cooler months ahead.  This month the GIC Culture Tour holds on to the laid back summer spirit with a one night two day excursion to Land’s End and Bogil Island.      Land’s End is the southernmost point on the Korean peninsula and is a departing point for ferries headed to several of the many offshore islands surrounding Jeollanam-do.  The very tip of the peninsula is a rocky point jutting into the sea with fine views of the islands in the distance.  A shaded walkway follows the coast and comes to an iconographic stone monument signaling Land’s End. From the end of the path, stairs lead up to an observatory for those who want and even grander view of the surroundings. On the way down, trails lead back to the port and to a collection of delicious seafood restaurants below.  Alternatively, for a small fee, participants are welcome to ride the tram line instead of climbing.       Lunch, appropriate to the place, is fresh sashimi over rice and vegetables with an assortment of delicious side dishes inspired by the sea. After eating, the tour transfers by passenger ferry to Sanyang Port on Nohwa Island and then on to the Abalone Aquaculture Center.  Abalone is a delicacy not only in Korea but also throughout the world. This interesting shellfish has a rich flavor and is covered by a beautiful shell prized in making mother-of-pearl products. Nohwa produces more of the mollusk than anywhere else in Korea, by some accounts as much as 50% of the nation’s total production.  In any case, there is no better place to learn about or to buy this culinary delight. At the Center, participants will be joined by a local fisherman who will explain the ins and outs of abalone aquaculture before boarding a fishing vessel for a tour of the cultivation areas in the sea. Serving not only as an educational experience, this visit allows participants to get their hands on abalone at wholesale prices for grilling up a truly special dinner in the evening!       With wobbly sea legs, the tour moves by bus to Bogil Island and to Saeyeon Pavilion for a land loving stroll through a Joseon dynasty pleasure garden. Yun Seon Do, who also went by the pen name Gosan, was an important 17th century scholar, administrator, tutor to princes, and prolific poet.  After the Manchurian invasion of Korea and the disgraceful surrender of the kingdom to the Chinese, Gosan moved back to his home in Haenam and planned to retire on Jeju Island.  In 1637, on his way through the South Sea by ship, he saw the mountains of Bogil Island and enthralled by its beauty he decided to stay.  He built Saeyeon Pavilion, a masterpiece of landscape architecture, incorporating the surrounding streams and valleys, and the result is a place which is “cleaned by clear water and thus cannot but purify your spirit.”  Yun’s famous poem The Four Seasonal Songs of Fishermen extols island life and participants can carry these words in their heads while appreciating this harmonious garden:  “Keep singing with pleasure, and the body becomes fresh like a cool breeze and fresh rain from the sea are created inside the mouth.  It is as if I play alone in another world without thinking about the secular world.”     Yeasong Pebble Beach is the last stop for the day and is the destination for the tour’s over night stay.  This unique beach, rather than having fine sand, is made of blue-gray stones polished smooth by the waves.   The sea, cool and deep, is great for swimming and along the shore a subtropical evergreen forest of laurel, beech, and camellia protects the village beyond.  Accommodations will be in “minbaks,” the homes of local villagers renovated and expanded into guesthouses. Participants are free to enjoy the beach and the village, relax and unpack, and get ready for a dinner of grilled abalone prepared in a courtyard full of the sounds of the sea.     Please come out this August with the GIC Tour for some boat riding adventure, ethereal island nature, and fresh food where the land meets the South Sea!   ** This is an overnight tour with both light trekking and beach time. Please pack accordingly, and remember to include: walking shoes and sandals, sunglasses, hats, sun block, towels and toiletries, and extra money to purchase incidentals and additional food items.      August 31st   8:30AM:  Departure from the GIC 10:30AM:  Explore Land’s End 12:00PM:  Lunch 1:00PM:  Ferry to Nohwa Island 2:00PM:  Abalone Aquaculture Experience 4:00PM:  Saeyeon Pavilion 6:00PM:  Yeasong Pebble Beach   September 1st   9:00AM:  Breakfast 10:00AM:  Free Time @ Yeasong Beach 12:00PM:  Lunch @ Nowha Island 2:00PM:  Ferry to Mainland 5:00PM:  Arrive @ GIC    

The Tale of the Lime, Lemon and Orange   Speaker : Rohizani Yaakub Date : July 6, 2013 Reviewer : Seoyoung Lee Editor : Calen Cygan   Last week’s GIC talk entitled The tale of the Lime, Lemon, Orange, was presented by Rohizani Yaakub. Yaakub began teaching at the School of Educational Studies, within the Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2001. She teaches courses in the field of Teacher Studies at the post-graduate level. This talk will attempt to explain ‘how’ Malaysia embraces multiculturalism. Being a nation with a very diversified population and unique features, Malaysia certainly has experienced roller-coaster effects of ups and downs in terms of ethnic relation. Through multiculturalism, Malaysia recognizes the potential of all Malaysians, encouraging them to integrate into their society and take an active part to strengthen the country socially, politically and economically in innumerable ways: just like the lime, lemon, and orange that belong to the same family, each has a distinctive quality that complements the citrus taste.    Photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130706LemonLimeOrangeRohizaniYaakubVideo:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ZG-e8-Pgg&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw22s4ed3HHu1d7g-teo_yw  

 The 3rd Single Moms’ Day   Date: June 29, 2013 Speaker: Michelle Lee Jones Reviewer: Yiseul Park Proofreader: Calen cygan   Last week’s GIC Talk on the 3rd Single Moms’ Day, presented Michelle Lee Jones gave a lot of useful information about Single Mom’s Day such as its background, related activities, and the intention of the day. She showed video of a woman who is one of a single mom. The video was very emotional, and when people watched the video, they looked like to try not to cry many people had to try to hold back tears. The speaker also showed shared a lot of data of about the current rate of unwed women problem. It was great time useful to know about unwed women’s suffering, and the audience was given ways to help them by donating, volunteering, and being aware of their current plight.   Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130623MichellLeeJones_the3rdSingleMomsDayJune  

Visible connections   Speaker: Nial Moores Reviewer: Ju-young Han Date: June, 22th, 2013 Proofreader: Calen Cygan   Today's speaker is Nial Moores, who is working at ‘Birds Korea’ as their director.  Before starting his speech, Nial Moores introduced himself and his coworkers. After that, he explained the meaning of the talk’s title, “Visible Connections” in detail. Visible Connections refers to three types of relationships: the connection between birds and their habitats, birds and people, and finally between people and people.  The organization,  “Birds Korea” aims for  ‘Sustainable Development’. Their mission statement mentions their conservation of birds and their habitats in Korea and the wider Yellow Sea eco-region. After introducing their mission, he explained the organization’s works. There are three main jobs: Researching; Planning and Designing; and Education and Public Awareness.    According to Moores, in Korea, there are about 530 different kinds of birds. And most of them are migratory birds (about 90%). Korea has many wonderful environments in which birds can live. However, due tomisinformed legislators and government influences, such a great environment has been destroyed.  Many birds are threatened and have already lost their habitats.  Birds Korea works to inform the public of this lose of bird species and habitats. The purpose of their action is not blaming the government butrather informing the public of the current situation. Alongside Birds Korea’s efforts, Seoul's mayor Park Won-Sun, also informs the public of the plight of the birds by having one of the many species of endangered birds on his business cards. In closing, the speaker suggested that we think of just one thing that you can do for birds and the environment.                              Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/117593299426331932940/20130622_NialMoores_VisibleConnections Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iesiR987V-M&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw22s4ed3HHu1d7g-teo_yw