Cultural Post #5: Reflect upon what you have learned about the culture(s) you have been studying
Every semester that I have taken Korean, I have been able to not only learn more about the language, but also about the culture as well. With multiple Korean teachers with unique perspectives, I felt that being in the SDLC course offered opportunities to grow and be exposed to Korean in a classroom setting, but with the added factor of being able decide what I want to learn about.
I think that as American and Korean values have moments that don’t align, it has been challenging to learn about and accept that. However, I realize with every semester that I have come to understand and be more open to understanding about these moments. Culturally, Korea differs in many values from the USA. I used to be upset by this, but now I have come to be more open to learn about why this is and what these differences say about the two respective countries. I have learned that Korea values community. Korean culture values being together, group effort, and deference for one another. It is kind of a paradox. A society that values inclusivity but also is distinctly known for being one of the more hierarchical societies. Though from an American perspective this can be perceived as unacceptable, I believe it should be understood for what Korean society values. It values community but with respect and honor.
Learning about Korean culture has encouraged me to take an open-minded and ready to listen attitude to learning about other cultures. Though I may see these differences, learning Korean has challenged me to understand why these differences exist. Why does Korea value their elders more than the USA? Why is education a higher household cost in Korea than the USA? These questions help me to further connect with Korean society and embrace it.
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