The National Folk Museum of Korea was beautiful and pristine on the outside with its combination of modern and traditional architecture and on the inside held some of the most interesting artifacts I had seen while in Korea. It took us through Korean history in both a short timeline and longer, detailed chronological order separated by season. We learned of Korean Culture in three separate sections; The History of Korean People, The Korean Way of Life, Life Cycle of Koreans. While here we saw some of the staples of Korean culture like kimchi and its origin, artifacts from the Joseon Period (1392-1910), we learned of the Confucianist Principles by which people lived with and the traditions which were influenced by the ideology like state examinations, having a boy to carry on the family name, and respect for elders like mourning for three years after a parent dies. We learned a lot, in a comprehensive manner about Korean Culture. Not long after we learned about Korean Culture in a very different form; at a jimjilbang. The Dragonhill Spa was quite the cultural experience. When we saw the building from afar it was much more commercial than anything I could have imagined. Even more indication of its commercialization, it was located next to a large mall. When we approached the building we were greeted by an English speaking employee who explained to us the many amenities available to us at the facilities like sports massages, shiatsu massages, hot stone treatments, various skin treatments and more. The basic rate includes access to the bath houses, where it is expected that one soaks (unclothed) for an extended period of time and scrubs dead skin away, access to various saunas which are thought to improve wellbeing and alleviate stress. While we we were there we took advantage of the basic amenities which are actually what traditional bath houses consisted of. Traditional bath houses had a presence in Korean Culture because it was difficult to take warm baths individually, the cold weather seen in the weather was another factor since it was a source of warmth, as well as the corporal element of participating in something so private in public. This is often something that families do with one another. Our group participated as a unit and experienced the somewhat embarrassment of nudity, the relaxation of the baths, bared the heat of the saunas and bonded. This is how, despite the many modern features like an arcade, restaurants, nail salon, movie theater, the traditional element was still held.

We learned about the cooperative ICoop which is an association of people who seek to have responsible economic activity by practicing ethical consumption and production. This is done through the respect for laborers who produce the goods which they consume they seek to demonstrate. We learned that the generation of ICoop in 1998, as an enterprise came about because of the initiative taken by some individuals, mostly women, who wanted healthier local foods for their families. They decided what they wanted; fresh, organic foods, produced in a manner they would feel was responsible. The point of a cooperative is that the people who benefit from it are also those who have invested in it as well. This leaves them more invested in the ins and outs of the business than perhaps typical consumers because they hold a sense of responsibility. ICoop has also been instrumental in social movements like free school lunch that would deliver healthy foods to all kids. The International Year of Cooperatives is something that was mentioned in the presentation. This was formulated by the United Nations in order to shed light on cooperatives as a source of employment and poverty reduction. The UN considers it an alternative business model that can help further socioeconomic development. This model could certainly have its benefits and with the world's many issues like poverty, environmental degradation and hunger.

When I talked to my buddy we talked about where I came from: I'm a product of hardworking people Of the descendant of an army chef and seamstress And a hard working single mother as a grandmother The product of a brain cancer survivor and compassionate person for parents. I have my own story in spite of the generalizations people place on me because of the identities that don't grant me privilege. It's so much harder to notice the identities that give you privilege when the ones that don't are so obvious. I feel like this is something that I'm still learning to negotiate.

My experience speaking with Ben was particularly unique. It was a rare chance to talk to someone who lived during a time I will never experience and who has lived through history. This is relevant because I feel like I don't know as much about past conflict because it is something that is not seemingly so tangible but in this case we had a person sitting before us who was living proof of historical event. The things we learned from Ben were from his memory and his own thoughts. I learned about the food shortages during the war and how things like eggs for example were uncommon to have access to. I also thought that his thoughts about the ability to work hard and change one's socioeconomic status was particularly interesting. He felt like anyone could advance their social status if they sought education and work hard enough. He believes in the American Dream even though he isn't American.

Why is there not a greater value placed on women in this society? How is that different from my own culture? How would things be different here if it were a matriarchal society? Where did the notion that women are inferior to men come from? Is this present in the U.S.? Is it more or less pervasive?

The halmoni's stories are those of not just human suffering but of human preservation. They were stolen as children and used as Japanese military sex slaves. They suffered from the systematic oppression that is a product and biproduct of war. Their stories were overlooked and forgotten. Then they bravely spoke out about what happened to them. They described the abuse they encountered as they were used, as their innocence was stolen, as they suffered silently because this was thought of as an idea to increase efficiency in soldiers and boost morale. The Japanese government organized this and authorized the kidnapping, raping and killing of these young girls. Now there is the search for justice. The Halmoni's simply want an apology from the Japanese Government for the injustices they caused. That is what they consider justice. Some might consider justice formal reparations like money or a trust. I consider justice when the person who has suffered is no longer suffering. In this case it will be when the Japanese Government admits the truth and apologizes to the women.

My experience speaking with Ben was particularly unique. It was a rare chance to talk to someone who lived during a time I will never experience and who has lived through history. This is relevant because I feel like I don't know as much about past conflict because it is something that is not seemingly so tangible but in this case we had a person sitting before us who was living proof of historical event. The things we learned from Ben were from his memory and his own thoughts. I learned about the food shortages during the war and how things like eggs for example were uncommon to have access to. I also thought that his thoughts about the ability to work hard and change one's socioeconomic status was particularly interesting.  He felt like anyone could advance their social status if they sought education and work hard enough. He believes in the American Dream even though he isn't American.

The USO was interesting. I never knew what it was before the presentation we received. It is a group of Six organizations that aim to support those in the US military :army marine etc. It seeks to provide entertainment for those serving and their families. They also seek to provide alternatives to dangerous or risky activities by providing them with entertainment. Which is an interesting concept. They have provided tours, movies, concerts and more for the benefit of the troops which are pretty creative. The Good Neighbor Program tries to build strong amicable ties between the US military and Korean communities. This can be difficult to do considering that there are some people in the US military who disregard the fact that they dint represent themselves they represent the USA. I think that also they way that soldiers are portrayed in the media is not very positive either which doesn't aide in this.

When considering the experience of international students at U of M I think that their experience might actually be a little bit easier because they have a longer time to get acclimated in a much smaller city. We have such a short time yo get used to a new country, new campus, curriculum, and make new friends despite a language barrier. I certainly do empathize with them however because its not easy in any amount of time. I hope that International students find it easier than we did to mane those adjustments.

Post 2

The talk with Christal Phillips was interesting. It was great to see someone relatively young and of minority background taking advantage of opportunities abroad. I thought her perspective on graduate school and choosing one's major for undergrad was unsurprising. But I think was more because of her undergraduate major than just the job market. I intend to study law I feel like this is definitely an investment but one that usually has a larger return and not just financially but gives me the opportunity to help people which is what I want to do in some capacity.     V I think that our government doesn't do enough to help alleviate poverty and deal with issues domestically but I also think that part of our poverty problem doesn't just name class or education as its source but in a heterogeneous society with heterogeneity influencing many people get left behind with or without education. Like the volunteering with PLUR help for such issues don't always have to be from the country impacted.

English language

I don't think I was aware of how important and how prized the ability to speak English was until I came to Korea. I think this is because people see more opportunity in knowing how to speak it. But I don't completely understand why this is the language that everyone needs to know. In some ways. I think this is a bit imperialistic and that there shouldn't be that value placed on the ability to speak English over any other langauge. On the other hand I think the Korea. Government realizes that in order to be impactful and for its citizens to have increased opportunity it is important that they can speak English. I think this is why they hire young adults to teach English. As someone who has English as my native language I don't think Ive had to think alot about what it means to be able to speak English or even to not be able to speak English. That is a privilege. Everyday someone is both afforded and denied an opportunity based on their ability to speak English which is something I'm more cognizant of.

post 4

My experience at the DMZ was surreal.  I feel like I learned much more than I expected. I was amazed by the this type of border system. Just to think about how I live like 30 minutes away from the US Canada border and I have never experienced the kind of restrictions nor the kind of threat that South Koreans face everyday. I think that it isc really interesting that this area is so heavily monitored. I also think that we could see the horizion of a country we know so little about. It made me wonder what it means to be happy in a society where your life is decided for you. I hope that I can learn more about North Koreans. While in Namdemun I wasn't particularly surprised at the "copy culture" because I feel like I see alot of it in the United States especially in New York and some of the Shopping districts there which completely cater to "knock-off" items. I think it is a clear sign of an emphasis on status and consumerism that isn't so foreign to American Society that may not always value authenticity as much as it does image.

post 3

My interactions with people so far in Seoul have been good but somewhat limited. I feel like the most I interact with people has been in our joint SNU class. This has been through having lunch with students, speaking with students when running into them around Seoul and even during the English Cafe. I'm actually pretty surprised at how comfortable I've felt talking to the Students. I even had a conversation with a random Korean person on the subway who seemed particularly interested in who our group was and what we're doing here in Korea and even made mention of his military experience. I notice that people here are really worried about image, I wonder if people feel that way when they come to the US.

Post 1

I'm Jamesa Johnson. Im from Redford Michigan. Where I come from anyone can change the world. I am studying international studies with a subplan in global environment and health. I consider myself a girl with a love for law, science, dogs and fashion. I enjoy food culture and laughing. I can be awkward at times and poised at others. Ironically my impression of Korea has been just that; awkward at times and poised at others. From the super silent subways, to the digitization of well, everything. I can see little bits of both the graceful uprising from its past wars and the awkwardness of holding on to tradition in a modern world. I am more than excited to see and better understand elements of Korean culture as a visitor and not a tourist. Which I believe are two very different things. We'll continue to explore what that distinction is in future blogs. :)