Beginning October 17, our elementary students jumped into their 2022 Experience Korea activities, where each grade participated in events designed to help them experience Korea in multiple ways: through tasting, making, watching, and going.

Taste

For all grades, the “taste” event was kimbap making. Students received a brief presentation on the history of kimbap and the many variations of this traditional picnic food. Then after a tutorial on how to assemble the roll within the bamboo mat, each child created their own kimbap roll to enjoy with their classmates. 

Make

Kindergarten and first grade were given a lesson in scroll painting in celebration of Korean handicrafts. Then students were encouraged to design their own orchid-inspired scene using pencils to sketch the leaves and watercolors to bring their drawing to life. 

Second and third grade partook in their “Make” session for Experience Korea. After a brief lesson on the history of traditional Korean shoes, students unleashed their creativity, using watercolor paints, markers, and jeweled stickers to design their own unique paper shoes.

Fourth and fifth grade learned about the Irworobongdo, a traditional folding screen that is placed behind the king’s royal throne. Students were then challenged to paint the symbolic scene using watercolors on their own wooden blocks.

Watch

A group from the Korean Performance Company helped kick off our Experience Korea festivities last week with a stunning Samul Nori demonstration. Dressed in vibrant shades of red, blue, yellow, and green, the performers transfixed our ES student audience with their kkwaenggwari (small gong), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), buk (barrel drum), and jing (large gong). 

To close out the Experience Korea event, the whole elementary school gathered in the central courtyard for a special Taekwondo performance. The university group performed flips, kicks, and even choreography for our students and staff to enjoy. Many secondary students even came by to see what all the excitement was about.

Go

Other than the many exciting activities on campus, each grade level was able to leave campus and “go” experience Korea somewhere new. Kindergarteners trekked up to Namsan Park for their Experience Korea “Go” field trip. Under the perfect fall skies, they completed a scavenger hunt, played eye-spy, and sketched their favorite living things found in the park. 

After lunch at Yongsan Family Park, first-graders enjoyed a tour of the Hangeul Musem as part of their Experience Korea events. While in the museum they drew hangeul characters, completed a scavenger hunt, and ignited their curiosity about the language of our host country!

Second grade started their “Go” trip with a stop at Yongsan Family park for a picnic lunch and playtime. Then the students wound their way through the halls of the National Museum, discovering a variety of ancient artifacts in the main hall and exploring the history of ancient relics in the children’s museum.

The third grade students visited the War Memorial where they viewed artifacts and displays from Korean history. They filled out their "Fact Finding Mission Booklets" as they explored the museum to search for facts about the battles that were fought to defend this country. Students ended the trip with an outdoor lunch and time to enjoy the impressive outdoor exhibit of wartime vehicles and aircraft.

For their Experience Korea “Go” trip, YISS fourth graders ventured to Lotte Folk Museum to experience the history of Korea up through the Japanese colonial period. Students were exposed to cultures of the ancient three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla) and viewed reproductions from the Goryeo period and the Joseon Dynasty. 

Fifth graders traveled to the Suwon Folk Village, exploring the grounds in small groups. Students examined the houses from the Joseon period and toured various workshops. From gwana (provincial government office) to seodang (the educational institutions), students discovered what folk life was like during their Experience Korea “Go” trip. 

After more than a week of activities, the students were full of new experiences in Korea! Thank you to all of the YISS teachers, staff, and outside instructors who helped make the event possible.