Jeremy: Presentation on Agriculture in Korea for Orange County Agricultural Educators

On July 31st, I gave a presentation about my trip to South Korea and the agricultural opportunities that I got to participate in while visiting the country. My audience was all of the agricultural educators of Orange County Florida. I used a photo presentation, rather than words on a screen. While in Korea I took over 1000 photos; what better way to show them off then by using them in a presentation.

Food in South Korea

During my presentation I explained the story behind each photo that I had taken. The look on the audiences faces were priceless, especially whenever it came to pictures of the food that we got to experience. They found it very interesting the way South Korea's educational system differed from ours; specifically agricultural education.

Botanical Garden in South Korea

We discussed many differences in similarities between that of the US and South Korea whenever it came to agriculture and education. We also were able to discuss ways that we can incorporate global agriculture into our classrooms. Overall, I believe that the presentation was a big hit and that the educators enjoyed being able to learn from my experiences in South Korea. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to share my pictures and experiences with a great group of educators!

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

Should I stay or should I go??

Wow! Today is our 22nd day in Korea with only five days left! The time has flown by so fast! We have had so many great adventures here. I was just thinking today about all of the different things that we have done and they all feel like they just happened yesterday.

This month has literally been the best month of my life! I have experienced so many things that I would have never thought in a million years that I'd get to do. From the Seoul Tower and museums to the nights dancing in Itaewon, this trip has been absolutely amazing.  I have learned so much about the culture here and those impacts on their agricultural industry.

View of Seoul from Seoul Tower

After spending a month in Korea and visiting several schools, I have been contemplating the possibility of moving to Korea in the future to teach agriculture; or at least work within the agricultural industry. It is obviously a very big decision to make, so I do not have a clear answer as of now, but I really think it is a possibility. I have witnessed so many techniques in agriculture here that I would really love to learn and try! I love the fact that the agricultural teachers teach a specific specialization within their programs. I know that I would be great at teaching landscape design here and I would really like the challenge.

Korea has proven itself to be very hospitable and all of the Koreans I have met love Americans. The relationship that Koreans and Americans have, or at least from what I have experienced, have been truly like family. I cannot tell you how many times I have been stopped in the streets and offered help or have been asked to take a picture with someone.

Agriculture in South Korea - Rice Patties

The only thing that was a problem from me at the beginning of the trip was the food. So much of it is seafood and the stuff that is not seafood tastes like it (I hate seafood!). However, after spending only a few free days out on the town I have come to realize that there are so many places and choices to eat that do not taste like seafood!  Considering that food was the only thing holding me back, (and that's a big thing for me) this makes it even easier for me to choose to answer my question of staying or going!

Downtown Seoul

Overall, this trip has proven to be very inspirational and educational to me. I've learned so much about culture and how different, yet similar, another culture is to the US and I have really come to respect those differences. The agriculture here also has so many similarities and differences. Though everything here has been so great, the big question still remains: Should I stay or should I go? Is Korea worth the time? Worth the experience? Worth the education? I can honestly answer yes to all of these things, so the real question I should ask myself is "when?" I might as well while I am young! Experiences like this don't just happen and I really think I should take advantage of it...

These are just my thoughts for the past few days! Your comments and feedback would be appreciated.

Food of Korea

Bulk Fish at a Supermarket

It has been a phenomenal time in Korea so far! Seoul is much larger than I thought it would be and the people here are absolutely amazing and so hospitable. All of us have learned so much and already have an abundant amount of new knowledge; though honestly, we haven't even scratched the surface.

Octopus and Vegetables

One of the greatest things that we have experienced so far is the numerous food dishes that we have tried here in Korea. Personally, I can be a very picky eater. Though I am from and live in Florida, which like Korea is a peninsula, I hate seafood! Blah!!! Just the thought of it makes me cringe! I have had to become quite accustomed to the many dishes served with either seafood or seafood products.

Though I'm not a fan of seafood, the food that I have tried has been quite good! We were all served a very delicious beef bowl one night this week that was like a stir fry served in a steaming hot cast iron bowl with a medley of freshly seared vegetables. It was amazing!

This pizza had a great margarita taste!

On another occasion we were served pizza, fried chicken, and hot wings. I have to admit, even coming from the south, I have never had fried chicken as great as what we've tried here! The chicken was fried without the skin and battered with a slight sweetness. The chicken tasted like a margarita drink. Both the chicken and pizza was heavenly.

One thing that I have been have been trying to deal with is stepping out of my comfort zone to try new food and drinks here in Korea. In the US, we are so used to being in a safe situation when it comes to our food. We know that our food has been graded and inspected to keep the citizens completely safe from food born illnesses or any other dangers. In Korea, I don't really know how that system works or if there even is a system.

Seafood anyone???

Just a couple of days ago, several of us were walking in one of the downtown districts and found several carts with raw seafood laying on the table in the sun and not on ice or refrigerated. As agriculturalists, we learn the many hazards of leaving meat out in temperatures above 40 degrees which causes it to be at risk of contamination with bacteria. Though the thought of eating this seafood might make many of you sick, as it did myself at first, there comes a point where you have to understand that this is their livelihood and this is what they eat on a daily basis. They have become accustomed to these foods and the way they are handled. With that being said, it is that very thought that encourages me to take that leap of faith and try these new foods. As I said though, I am SLOWLY coming out of my comfort zone, one dish at a time. :)

Seafood Selection at a Restaurant

Bread made from Squid Ink

One of the neat things that we got to see downtown is a restaurant that allowed you to choose a live sea creature and have them cook it right in front of you. It was pretty neat seeing the oysters, squid, octopus, sea urchins and many others for their selection...and we thought it was cool to select a lobster at Red Lobster!

To wrap this blog up, I would have to say that the Korean food is what has really taught me an appreciation for other cultures. It has truly taken a lot to get me to come as far as I have from my comfort zone to trying new things. Not only does it make you appreciative for what you have, but it also introduces one to limitless opportunities and new world wonders! I mean, honestly, squid ink being used as a food coloring for bread!?!

I guess it's true...The way to a man's heart is through food!

Jeremy: Preparing for South Korea...

So far I am learning so much about Korea, but I feel that I do not have enough time to process everything. When I read, I find out so many things that I did not know before that are absolutely amazing and very interesting. I come up with tons of questions that I'd like to research and find answers to, but time only permits so much.

Jeong-dong-jin Beach - South Korea

As far as preparing for my trip, aside from my readings, I have spoken with one of the foreign exchange students from my school who is from South Korea. He has taught me a few things in the Korean language like "An-nyeoung Ha sae Yo," which is how you'd say hello to an elder, whereas "An-nyeoung" is what you'd say to the younger generation or that of your own age.

He has also told me that birthdays are different in South Korea. On January 1st, everyone turns a year older. There is no such thing as a birth "date" really. If you are born on December 31st, the next day you will turn one. Likewise, if you're born on January 1st, you are already one. I found this to be really interesting! He has told me we need to visit Jeong-dong-jin Beach...pictured below. Supposedly one of the best beaches in South Korea!

I decided to study Marriage in Korea as my DIY project for a variety of reasons, but mainly because I was interested in the society's view on marriage equality. This topic has actually been pretty fun! I have got to learn about many of the customs and traditions that Koreans partake in before, during, and after the wedding ceremony. The project also gave me a better understanding of men and women's roles in the Korean society. I found that marriage equality is moving forward in Korea; slowly, but surely. 

I have yet to really have time to study the Korean language, aside from an app that I have on my phone. Teaching has kept me extremely busy lately and I am trying to finish my first year with success and organization! I hope to get to study the language more once things start to slow down around here and we finish our state standardized test.  I am still, so far, a big fan of the food and have found it to be quite amazing! I'm looking forward to that in Korea. My Korean student has already given me a list of foods I must try when I visit the country, including Ja jang myun.

Ja jang myun

Introduction: Jeremy, Agriscience Teacher Palatka High School

Hey Everyone!

My name is Jeremy and I am the FFA advisor at Palatka High School in Palatka, Florida. I am a first year teacher and this year has been quite eventful! I have learned so much and I am enjoying every second of it.

I am originally from Newberry, Florida just outside of Gainesville. I graduated from the University of Florida last spring and received a job shortly after. I was not raised in an agricultural background, so much of it is still new to me and I am learning daily!

When I was in tenth grade I was supposed to be put into Chemistry, but because of conflict with my schedule I was put into Agriculture Foundations. My parents and I were very upset about this, as we did not want me to be in Ag. (My stereotype for Ag is that everyone involved were "rednecks".) We begged the counselors to give me a schedule change, but they just would not budge. My Ag teacher asked me to just give her one week and that she could guarantee me that I would fall in love with the class, and sure enough, I did! I feel in love with Ag and enjoyed everything about it. That following summer my teacher invited me to go to the Florida FFA State Convention where I was introduced to FFA and it was very clear that I wanted to be an Ag teacher at the point. Now, here I am!

Aside from teaching and being involved with my program and other Ag industries in my county, I am very hardcore pro Equal Rights and I am a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Movement. I have been with my partner, Joshua, for almost two years now and it has been quite an amazing journey for the both of us!  Together we have a dog named Rocco who is crazy, yet amazing! In my spare time, I like to go to theme parks, travel, or go to the beach. We have season tickets to Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and Sea World so we go a lot! We love roller coasters, what can I say!?! I love the outdoors, wildlife, and hanging with friends!

I am very excited about traveling to South Korea! I cannot wait to experience their culture and try their food. I'm nervous, as it is my first time on a real international trip, aside from the Caribbean. I look forward to meeting all of you and learning about agriculture from you guys and from Korea. 

Talk to you all soon!

Jeremy