I think that it is interesting to see the connection of the language to the culture.
I also appreciated having a Fulbright scholar as my teacher because she had an insider's perspective at the Korean society and how it differed from American society.
This semester, I think that I've come to appreciate how South Korean culture aims to be inclusive and respectful. The language used describes relationships that aim to create connection without offense. Everything seems to be made sure to be mindful of others. I learned this through learning about how we address elders in the smallest ways, such as asking them for something, referring to them, or taking directly speaking to them. I also learned that this inclusive nature is also universal to not only their language and relations, but also to their societal system as a whole. For example, Koreans put an emphasis on taking care of their parents as they grow older and feel a responsibility towards their health and well-being.
I think one thing that I admire about Korean culture is their hardworking nature. Once a third world country, Korea has advanced to become one of the world's richest countries. Maybe that is why South Korea puts an emphasis on education. I also learned that the reason why Koreans work so long at work is because there was an economic recession in the 20th century that shook the country to become afraid and unsettled about their job security. Ever since, there has been an emphasis on working long hours, possibly to show their superiors that in the chance where someone needs to be laid off, it should not be them. This trend is also apparent in education, with students going to school for 16+ hours a day. As an outsider, I was first appalled, and to be honest, I still struggle to understand it. However, through learning about what events cause these trends, I begin to understand why this is.
I think that it is easy to criticize another culture for being different from your own, especially if it contrasts from your culture. We don't like ideas and beliefs that differ from ours. We think that our way is the superior way, and other cultures ought to follow it. I think that learning about other cultures teaches us to change this perspective and realize that cultural enrichment adds to the diversity of our world.
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I also learned a lot about Korean work environment this semester. I had had conversations in the past about how people in Korea have to work harder and have to put in more work hours; so I brought it up during one of sessions with my language partner. Talking about it with a native, helped me understand the culture better and provided me with a different perspective. Something that I found really interesting is that, Koreans almost always go out to drink with coworkers after work (kind of like happy hour in the States). They do this to unwind, and not just to network but also to build better relationships with the people around them.