South Korea Cultural Orientation is BACK!
XploreAsia, along with Culture Route are super excited to bring back the South Korea Cultural Orientation trips. On June, 11th, we had the first one in more than two years and to be honest… it made us remember why we insist and provide them for every single applicant coming to teach here.
“This course is such an amazing reminder why we came all this way.” – Kaitlyn, Teacher
Because our teachers have been tapering in separately over the past few months, they haven’t had a chance to meet one another yet. That’s what this past weekend gave them. The South Korea Cultural Orientation managed to jam-pack all the essentials in so new arrivals can get to know fellow teachers, as well as their new home away from home.
Order of Events
Everyone trained or bused into Seoul after work on Friday. That first night, teachers were free to stay wherever they’d like. The following morning, the fun begins. Everyone meets at Gyeongbokgung Station at 8.45am. The first activity on the agenda is the Hanbok Cafe. Now don’t let the word “cafe” fool you. You won’t find any coffee here. Instead, The Seoul Hanbok Cafe is a place where visitors can rent beautiful hanbok, the traditional clothing of South Korea and have their photo taken. We, however, just get dressed up, then head on to the next location… The Gyeongbokgun Palace. We spend a few hours here strolling through the grounds, watching the change of the guards and taking as many photos as we can. It really is the epitome of Seoul and South Korea.
We go back to the cafe around 12 to debrief and grab some lunch in the area. There is enough time to eat, and hang around for a while… just to catch your breath. The teachers need it after all that walking. No time to sleep though, because at 2.30pm, we’re off to Bukchon Village. This is a traditional Korean village in Seoul with a long history located on the top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The traditional village has many alleys and has been preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment.
After that, around 4pm, we head to the pre-booked Guest House with everyone to freshen up, off load any shopping and check-in.
I heard from Enzo, one of our program coordinators based in-country, that you know it’s a South Korean barbecue when there’s no place for your beer to go on the table.
This is because Korea is known for its unnecessary amount of sides. We’re not complaining! It’s just such an arb experience to have the table filled with food before the meat has even arrived!
The meal is always tasty, healthy and more than enough for you to leave happy!
After finishing up dinner (which usually takes 1 – 3 hours), the teachers are free to explore more of the Seoul nightlife. Sunday, they can check out anytime before ten and make their way home with the new friends, photos, and everlasting memories. Seoul has so much to offer and this trip is really just a teaser. We really can’t wait for the next one which is going to be on the 25th of June.
Want to know how you can join us next time?
Reach out to Lay and schedule a call NOW!
Written by Lay
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