The Korea Room - Studying Abroad at Governor's School

This year during the Pennsylvania Governor's School, hosted at Penn State University, we had the opportunity do offer a week-long course on Global Agriculture.  The week focused on sharing opportunities in Agriculture across the globe with 27 stellar high school students.  Throughout the week students learned a traditional Malaysian agricultural dance, experienced Indian cuisine, and learned about just how far their food travels from field to place.

Students experiencing traditional Korean Hanbok

In addition to these activities, the Governor's School students had the chance to engage in their first study abroad! With their own Governor's School passports in hand, our students traveled to the Korea House to learn  about six different aspects of Korean culture, all of which we experienced first-hand while on our #AgEd2Korea adventure just a few weeks ago.

It was incredible to see our students so involved in each different station; some students were really competitive at the "Chopstick Challenge" and others were so focused on decoding our Hangul message.  Though some of our students had been to other parts of the world, for many this was their introduction to cultures other than our own.

I believe we provided a positive and memorable first experience in International Agriculture, not only with the Korea House, but with each lesson over the course of the entire week.  Each of our students had a taste of what it was like to study abroad and I am confident that they will each enter the global age of agriculture hungry for knowledge of other cultures and prepared to be those positive agents of change.

However, the students weren't the only ones who benefited from this lesson.  For the six 2015 student teachers that contributed to the lesson, this was great practice for sharing our experiences in our future classroom.  All of the brainpower and hard work that went into creating the Korea Room really challenged us to develop a way of sharing the importance of our journey that impacted each student and allowed them to take part in the experience as well.  Though they may not remember just how kimchi is fermented or how to write their name in Hangul, they will always recall that one time when those crazy Penn State people got all pumped about agriculture in other countries.  And maybe, just maybe, our enthusiasm and our stories will inspire those students to take their own global journey.

Want to check out the Korea House? Click on the video below to get a glimpse of our study abroad!

Meaningful Interactions

Although we have recently returned to the U.S., we will continue to post thoughts and stories from #AgEd2Korea participants to reflect on the breadth, depth and diversity of our experiences in Korea.  This blog showcases some of the answers to the question, "What was your most meaningful interaction with a Korean person?"

Deanna and her SNU Teaching Partner

"My most meaningful interaction was with my SNU teaching partner. Not only did he help us with translations and logistics, but he helped us to structure our lesson and make it more impactful for the students in the classroom. He could have sat back and watched as we prepared a lesson but he was engaged and inqusitive the entire time. It makes me wonder how I would have responded in his situation." – Deanna

"My most impactful interaction was when we got to meet the Vice Minister of Education, Dr. Na. I am always excited to meet another OSU Alumni, and one who has made such an impact on the education system, just makes it that much more exciting. He had some very insightful words about finding your passion and dedicating yourself to it. If you are not building your passions, you will not have a very rewarding life." - Kelli

Lesson Planning: Kelli, Hee Song and Janae

"I loved working with my SNU teaching partner, Hee Song. She was absolutely awesome! She really had a presence in the classroom and I really enjoyed being able to team-teach with her. What really surprised me though was the note she left me on our last day together. She wrote that my passion for teaching helped to ensure that she was in the right profession as well. It was an incredible complement and she has impacted me in just the same way."
– Janae


"When I went to Insadong for the second time, as I was shopping I had a group of 13 year-olds and their teacher run up to me and speed quiz me on camera as an English project in order to help them learn to better speak English. They were a great group and they were so excited to talk to me and enjoyed talking to me in English & Korean and it was great to see students that excited to learn new languages." - Amanda

"At Buseong Elementary in Gwangju, I asked a 6th grade student how she was doing and she responded in English by saying, “I am happy!” This was evidence of the successful implementation of the school’s mission statement, which included 'Happy Students'.” - David

Jeremy's class at Yeoju High School

"My most meaningful interaction with a Korean has been with the students at Yeoju High School. They were so excited to have us in their classroom and learn about agricultural education in America. They were the friendliest, most respectful students I had ever met and they made me want to come to Korea and teach here for a while!" - Jeremy

"My most meaningful interaction with a Korean was when Jason and I were coming home from a late night out on the town and we met Jim, a Korean student from SNU. Jim was very kind, patient and engaging. We met Jim on the subway, we all three walked home even stopping long enough to grab a bite to eat and drink, just like we had known him for years. He even answered his phone to his girlfriend saying he had met some new friends and would be home late." - Chris

Jessica, Cassidy and Abby having lunch with a Suwon Teacher

"My most meaningful personal interaction with a Korean was probably the day that we went to lunch with the Suwon teachers for bugolgi. It was meaningful because although there was a language barrier, we had a normal conversation, just like I would have with my friends. We talked about our school day, what we love about our jobs, and about our family. It was neat to share those things, and I didn’t feel pressure to make sure I was speaking perfectly. They were just happy to interact with us, like we were with them. I wish I would have exchanged contact information with them, a lesson learned, but I really enjoyed lunch that day, and wish we could have had more one on one time with just the teachers. " - Abby

Teaching Team: Stacia, NeungSu and Jessica

"My most meaningful interaction with a Korean is my work with my SNU teaching partner NeungSu. Through teaching together I really had to rely on him to translate to our class. We also had to work on our own communication together for him to be able to help translate. It has definitely helped me realize how to speak more clearly and how to work with a partner in the classroom. Out of the classroom he has also given me a lot of insight into Korean culture. I have had the opportunity to ask him all about his traditions which was
a lot of fun to learn about." - Stacia

What was the food like in Korea?

As our departure from Korea quickly approaches, we will be posting thoughts and stories from #AgEd2Korea participants to reflect on the breadth, depth and diversity of our experiences here in Korea.  This blog showcases some of the answers to the question, "What was the food like in Korea?"

"Well, I love surprises, so I guess you can say I love Korean food. It wasn’t always clear what we were eating at meal time but I enjoyed it (for the most part…)! It also encouraged me to try new foods, whether it was intentional or not. "
– Janae 


"I liked that there were many side dishes that were shared as a group. I think it plays back into the cultural mindset of group collaberation. We all shared these dishes and it was just another way for us to emerge ourselves into their culture."
– Deanna

"It’s different. Good luck finding half of this stuff in restaurants back home. Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m a meats and potatoes kind of guy, but, it was great to be in a place where the food was unique, just like the experiences. I remember how excited I got when I saw a street vendor selling silk worm larvae, or when I tried cold noodles for the first time."  – Howard

"I liked the bibimbop the best because there were many different combinations that you could choose from and it was a complete meal that filled you up. "
– Jason

"Variety and spicy is the Korean food cuisine. My favorite dish was the bulgoli because it was not spicy, but had a great flavor. I did enjoy eating more vegetables and fruit and less dairy products and carbs. I felt like I had more energy." - Jess

"I think what I liked best about Korean food was how we weren’t quite sure what we were going to be served at each meal…it was sort of a guessing game as to what dishes you would see on the table."
 - Sarah


"The number of dishes and side dishes that are served with any meal is perhaps the most enjoyable part of Korean food. Through the variety of entrees, soups, salads, and sides served, sometimes up to 30, I was able to try different combinations of flavors that enhanced the sensory experience through taste, texture, sight, and smell!" - David

What surprised you the most about Korea?

As our departure from Korea quickly approaches, we will be posting thoughts and stories from #AgEd2Korea participants to reflect on the breadth, depth and diversity of our experiences here in Korea.  This blog showcases some of the answers to the question, "What surprised you the most about Korea?"

One of the many gourmet meals provided by our gracious hosts

"I was most surprised by the hospitality that I encountered while in country. I can honestly say that I did not have one bad experience while interacting with people. Whether it was while I was shopping, touring, or in the classroom. People were truly excited to meet with us and help us as needed."
 - Deanna

"As we toured the countryside and looked at farms at the different high schools, I was surprised by the amount of technology that these farms used.  I came in expecting a few pastures with some old cows and goats.  But I was blown away by the amount of technology; between the universal use of greenhouses, to seeing a compost aerator, and a robotic milker.   It never stopped amazing me how smoothly technology was integrated into agriculture."

Greenhouse at Yeoju Self-Management High School

 – Howard

"What surprised me the most was how quickly the time seemed to pass by. Today is our very last day in Korea and they say we have been here for a month, but I swear we just arrived yesterday. Each day was filled to the brim with either educational or cultural activities. Even our 'days off' were jammed packed because there was so much to see and do! What I have learned from this though is that every minute you are abroad counts for something. There is always something to be taken from each moment you have."
 – Janae

"I think what surprised me the most was how innovative Korean agriculture is. I was not expecting to see the intensive use of the acreage that we saw while traveling through the Korean countryside. They have extremely intensive production and seem to have a keen awareness of the need for sustainable practices in their country. I was also very impressed at the level of technology and depth of industry education available to high school students!"
– Sarah

It's All About Connections

Agriculture Education is all about connections.  Connections to the agriculture industry, connections to the community and it's members, connections with other Ag teachers; Ag teachers are constantly working with other people to rock out some incredible lessons.  Teachers also have connections with other teachers through professional organizations like National Association for Agricultural Educators or other state associations.  As pre-service Ag teachers, we have the opportunity to be involved in some of the things that the organizations do; go to meetings, events, etc., all very helpful for building our professional network.

But what organizations, what camaraderie, is out their for pre-service agriculture teacher candidates?  We have Teach Ag! Society chapters, even Collegiate FFA, but it is not very often that we connect with other teacher candidates outside of our own university.  Are their even other groups like the Teach Ag! Society?  Are their any other collegiate-level  advocates for agriculture education?!

The answer is yes!  There are other Ag Ed students out there just like us!  We were introduced to an organization at Sunchon National University in Suncheon, Korea for students studying agriculture education.  The explanation of the group was brief, but definitely left me wanting to know more!

The organization is called 논두렁, or "Non-do-rung", and is very similar to Penn State's Teach Ag! Society in that students studying agriculture education spread the word about agriculture and the importance of teaching it in the classroom.

Over the two days that followed the presentation at Sunchon University, I learned more about the significance of the organization's title that just blew me away.

The word "논두렁" literally translates to "levee" and is used to describe the pathways that connect rice field to rice field.  Let's just talk about the significance of this name.  The most obvious connection is that rice is a staple crop of the Republic of Korea so including such an important part of Korea's agricultural history and presence in the name of the organization is awesome.

Secondly, and the part that I found to be most fascinating was word "pathways".  Do we not as members of Teach Ag Society and 논두렁 create pathways to connect the significance of agriculture with the public?  Do we not help students find the pathway to understanding where their foods come from?  I thought that using a word that means connecting one area of agriculture to another was a clever, and all too perfect, way to sum up our collegiate agriculture education organizations.

One of the most impactful things I have learned on this trip is that we, as pre-service teachers and argicultural advocates, are not isolated in the world.  There are other groups like us even on the other side of the world.  And doesn't that open the door for a whole different world of global opportunities as an agricultural educator?

Lessons Across the Globe

Have you ever been in a room where almost everyone else speaks a different language?  Have you ever tried to teach in that room? 

If you have, then you know it can be tricky business conveying your thoughts, information, or instruction to the rest of the group.  But today we did it!  Our group traveled to Suwon High School for Agricultural Science and had the opportunity to present an agriculture lesson to a class of students.  It was challenging, that's for sure, but rewarding all the same.  The experience was nothing like I expected and, as it turned out, made for a much more engaging lesson!  
 

We Walk the Walk... But Can We Talk the Talk?

Annyeong-haseyo! Just one of the many words and phrases we have been working so diligently to learn.  For those of you who aren't quite as fluent in the Korean language as the 20 of us, that means "hello!"

Well, maybe "fluent" wasn't the best description of our ability, but I would give each of us an "A" for effort!

Our 20 hours of Korean language began this morning and though it may seem surprising to some, it was a blast (for a language class, that is...)!  We got to work straight away in our Korean workbooks.

We dug right into the mechanics of the language, learning each vowel, consonant, both tensed and aspirated, and began putting words together in no time!  If you ever need to know the Korean word for tree, milk, professor, or baby, we've got your back!

Also, our instructors were great!  They had an awesome attitude and made everyone feel very comfortable, though I am sure we sounded quite silly at times!  It was very cool to see the ways that they could take such a daunting task of learning a new language and make it fun will all sorts of activities ranging from written work, to listening skills, to working in pairs with flash cards (well at least Kelli and I had fun!)

Despite feeling awkward at times and laughing at the silly noises we were making, each of us recognized the value of the opportunity being placed in front of us.

As a group we have identified four values that we carry with us throughout this trip; Preparedness, Positivity, Pensiveness, and Plexibility (really pliable, but isn't plexibility a fun word?).

Remembering over the course of the next week to be prepared with positive attitudes entering the classroom everyday will ensure an awesome experience that will serve us well during our stay in Korea, as well as create memories for us to take home and share with our families, peers, and most importantly, skills we can share with our students.

"Connecting Over Cabbage": Janae

So as I have been preparing for Korea, I am finding that I have an interest in Korean cuisine; and I mean who doesn't like to eat?!  As part of my preparation for the trip, and also as my "Do-It-Yourself" assignment for the class, I decided to work with one of the Korean students, Jacob, who came and spoke to our class earlier in the semester to learn to cook some Korean deliciousness!

I invited Jacob over for a cooking party and so at the beginning of the week he sent me a grocery list.  Never being in the Korean market before, shopping for the items on this list was a little more challenging then I had anticipated.  I managed to get a container of kimchi, or spicy pickled cabbage, an onion, and a can of spam; everything else I was way off base.  There was a small miscommunication between Jacob and I; he asked me to purchase some kind of pepper (of which I still do not know the name...) but instead I bought some paprika. I also overlooked the rice component of the dish, which was called "kimchi fried rice".  What the dish actually called for was kimchi, rice, soy sauce, onions, green onions, peppers, and spam (or chicken or pork depending on your preference).  But I took this as a learning opportunity and a chance to practice flexibility (luckily Jacob was also accommodating).  In light of being short on some main ingredients, Jacob and I took a trip to the Asian Market, which was interesting all on it's own.  Did you know that you can buy a whole chicken at the Asian Market?  And when I say whole chicken I mean head, feet, feathers, and everything in between.

Finally we had all of the necessary ingredients and were able to start cooking our kimchi fried rice.  As we were cooking and talking, I learned that this dish is something Jacob and his roommates prepare and eat often, for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  They also always have a container of kimchi on hand.
When we dicing the kimchi to throw in the frying pan, Jacob asked me how long ago I bought it.  My response was "I got it yesterday so it would be good and fresh!" to which Jacob responded, "You should have bought that last week!"  Naturally, I though it would be best to purchase the kimchi just a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until we were ready to cook, but I got a lesson in kimchi-storage.  Kimchi should be bought about a week in advance and spend three to four days at room temperature rather than refrigerated.  This allows more time for the kimchi to ferment and increases the spiciness of the cabbage. Though it was a fun fact and good to know for the future, I'm glad I didn't let it sit for those extra few days; the dish was spicy enough for me!


In addition to preparing the kimchi fried rice, I made some traditional, Pennsylvania Dutch pork and sauerkraut, another cabbage side-dish, with mashed potatoes.  It was fun for me to see some experience this dish for the first time, as I grew up eating this for many, many Sunday dinners.  Being that anything Pennsylvania Dutch is the furthest thing from spicy, I wasn't expecting Jacob to care too much for the dish.  However, he ate the whole plate (and took some leftovers too!).

The whole night was definitely an experience! From the Asian Market, to sauerkraut & kimchi, with some great dinner conversation in between, the dinner was definitely a success connecting over cabbage.

김치 볶음밥

Kimchi Bokkeumbap