From A-KEEP to South Korea

In the Summer of 2022, I interned with The Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership (ALIEEP), formally known as the Alabama-Korea Education and Economic Partnership (A-KEEP). One of the largest challenges that I faced during my time at A-KEEP was my concern about a need for more cultural and linguistic knowledge associated with the beautiful country of South Korea. Thank you to the endless support and encouragement of my colleagues, I had the opportunity to hone my language and cultural skills during the internship. Through the likes of language immersion via activities such as the annual Challenge America play, Jogakbo Quilt Exhibition, and serving as a volunteer at the Montgomery Biscuits Kimchi Night, I noticed that my understanding of South Korea expanded exponentially.

My time with A-KEEP would go on to reignite my desire to study the Korean language, an endeavor I first held in high school. I knew during those days that learning the Korean language would be vital to my success as a future English language teacher in South Korea.

Today, as a rising second-year Master of Teaching English to Speakers of a Second Language (MA TESOL) at the University of Alabama, a program I was unconditionally accepted to thanks to the support and recommendation of ALIEEP Executive Director Mrs. Meesoon Han, I would like to deeply thank A-KEEP for helping me keep my dream of visiting Korea and studying the regional language alive.

This past summer semester, I had the opportunity to study abroad in South Korea at 고려대학교 Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. During my time there, I was enrolled in the Intermediate (3A) Korean Class, which I found very daunting my first week. Monday through Friday, I found myself in a 2 ½ hour, 3-credit course which was fully immersed in the Korean language; an experience I felt less than prepared for. By the end of the semester, I realized that studying hard and with determination would take me a long way! At the end of each session, I realized that I understood a majority, if not all, of the information expressed during the class and was learning vocabulary and grammar rules naturally.

The preliminary vocabulary I learned during my time as an Operations Manager at A-KEEP’s Catch the K-Wave summer camp served as a functional foundation for the everyday interactions I would soon make while in Korea. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn everyday phrases and vocabulary during the language intensive camp I helped to facilitate, but I also made a true friend and colleague, Uiseon Sunny Kim!

While in Korea, I met with Sunny and enjoyed many of the favored local activities, such as Korean BBQ, 노래방 noraebang (karaoke), and walking the beautifully lit streets of Seoul at night. Experiencing South Korea with Sunny was only one of the many excursions I would embark on in my 4-weeks abroad. I attended a university-led trip to Korea’s largest amusement park, Lotte World. I also adventured the streets of Busan on a weekend-long trip planned by my study abroad program, The Education Abroad Network (TEAN), visiting the colorful village of Gamcheon, the Busan Film Festival grounds, Haeundae Beach, the Songdo Cable Cart ride, and the culturally significant Haedong Yonggung Temple. My program also provided students with a field trip to 경복궁 GyeongbokGung Temple – a personal must-see of mine!

During my free time, I visited the Han River, the Dongmyo Flea Market, 별마당 도서관 Starfield Library, a Doosan Bears Vs. Samsung Lions Baseball game at Jamsil Stadium, the MyeongDong Night Market, Insadong Culture Street, Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam, and many other attractions!

Lastly, both Korean natives and foreigners can’t help but marvel at the glory and beauty of this country! Photography and vlogging are not taboo activities and you will often see natives documenting their in-country travel out in the open, so keep your phone and extra battery pack, camera batteries, and digital cameras charged because there is always something to photograph!

Overall, my time in South Korea was a very monumental experience that confirmed my desire to move there in the upcoming year to teach English. This taste test of Korea fueled my ever-present love for the country’s deep linguistic and cultural history, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of ALIEEP/A-KEEP staff during the earliest stages of my Korean culture immersion!

 

Written by Logann Shorter