NSLI-Y 2024 Korea – Week 1
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
NSLI-Y Korea students on the flight to South Korea, and at Incheon International Airport.
NSLI-Y Korea students at the Beartopia Cafe at Dankook University.
Gigi with her host family.
Arjun having a conversation with his host family.
Enzo and his host family’s first meeting.
After an entire day’s journey of traveling overseas, NSLI-Y Korea students finally made it to Dankook University in Yongin, South Korea where they were greeted by the staff of the Office of International Affairs and their new host family members for the summer.
NSLI-Y students watch and listen with amusement as Tim, Dankook University Office of International Affairs staff member, explains an extensive list of university contributors.
NSLI-Y students at the Dankook University History Museum.
NSLI-Y students posing with finger hearts during lunchtime at a Korean-style Italian restaurant after the campus tour with the Chief of Dankook University Office of International Affairs, Director of Global Engagement, and student interns.
After settling into their new, temporary homes, the NSLI-Y students had their official arrival orientation at Dankook University, which included a campus tour and a group lunch with staff members of Dankook University’s Office of International Affairs. The students visited two museums – one that was a unique collection of traditional Korean clothing called hanbok and another that exhibited the history of the university. It was a fascinating look into Korean culture and how clothes and the campus has changed over time.
Doris, Andrea, Enzo, Arjun, Gigi, Avril and Emilio in Korean language class at Dankook University.
NSLI-Y students were placed in their respective classes and began their intensive language learning in the afternoon of their first day. On the next day, they continued their classes in the morning and took a visit to the U.S. Embassy annex in Seoul to receive a standard security briefing. Electronic devices were not allowed in the building; however, students learned about the role of the U.S. embassy in Korea as well as foreign service officers’ work in public diplomacy, with a handful of students considering studies in international relations or becoming a foreign service officer in the future.
Two additional highlights of the week included the NSLI-Y students’ first meeting with their peer partners, who are Dankook University students tasked with supporting NSLI-Y students in their language learning through activities and extra practice, as well as going to the famous Korean indoor amusement park, Lotte World in Seoul.
NSLI-Y students with their peer partners studying the Korean alphabet and everyday Korean words.
Emilio and Stephan with their peer partners as they played a common Korean number game – “3, 6, 9.”
For this week’s peer partner activity, students were able to practice and improve their pronunciation and recognition of the Korean alphabet letters. They also learned and reviewed basic words and played a Korean vocabulary bingo game to reinforce their memorization and comprehension. Peer partners also taught the NSLI-Y students the Sino-Korean numbers from 0 to 99, and they were able to successfully play a well-known Korean number game that involves clapping when a player counts up to a number that includes 3, 6, or 9 in one of its digits.
Hazel and Hanan with a peer partner after a full, fun day at Lotte World in Seoul.
RD with NSLI-Y students and peer partners after exiting the Lotte World Adventure theme park.
To wrap up an eventful first week, the NSLI-Y students had an enjoyable experience at one of Korea’s most loved amusement parks, Lotte World in Seoul. They went on a variety of thrilling rides, bought Lotte World souvenirs such as the adorable animal-themed headbands, and formed stronger friendships of language and cultural exchange with their peer partners.
Stay tuned to read about more exciting new experiences in Week 2!