추신 (postscript)
After writing what I thought would be my final entry, I realize that the most appropriate closing should return to the students, most of them young Korean Americans.
01.07.2011 - 30.07.2011
A few days before the end of the program, all of the classes put on an informal talent show – skits (best was a spot-on spoof of Korean romantic dramas), singing, dancing, game shows, and a kim bahp (Korean sushi)-eating contest . . .
At the end of the four-hour talent show, one of the young men, with a sweet, on-key voice sang. . . . a James Taylor song, “You’ve Got a Friend.” The lights dimmed and some 160 students happily crooned along.
My early impression of the students was that most were here because of their parents and really were not that interested in improving their Korean. Any time not spent in class seemed devoted to socializing rather than serious study. Even during brief 10-minute class breaks, the students rushed out to be with each other--talking, laughing, making new associations (including romantic). Late-night discovery of Seoul became routine, along with soju (Korea's 'vodka") rounds, finding favorite noh-rrae-bahgs (karaoke bars), then coming to class unprepared, even simply sleeping through class. But perhaps all of this was oddly purposeful and in a certain way, more important.
Not paying close attention, it took me until the talent show to realize that what was most important to so many of the students this summer was simply each other. They had come from all over the U.S. (New England, the South, Midwest, California) as well as places such as Brazil and Hong Kong. I think these five weeks intensely together may have been their first opportunity to blend in among many others sharing the same bit of DNA and cultural history.
I like to think that in 2061 the 2011 Special Summer Program students will gather at KLI for their 50th reunion. And I can wish that all will be speaking fluent Korean.
Posted by honglk 07.08.2011 11:44 Archived in South Korea
I am surprised at those students who aren't eager to study Korean. I thought Yeonsei KLI is well known for its quality and and size of the program. But, congratulation on your completion of the the course!!
17.08.2011 by zzzzeyes