Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Most Useful Phrases for Traveling in Korea
Hey All! Thought I'd write another post about my Korean travels!
Before traveling to Korea, I tried to learn as much Korean as possible. I didn't know just how much freedom we would be allowed on the CIEE program (surprisingly a lot), but I wanted to make sure if I ever got into a sticky situation, or had any misunderstand, I wanted to be sure to know ow to talk my way out of it. Plus, I love language learning, and I wanted to learn as much possible to learn the culture!
So here are some of the most useful phrases, words, and just some speech tips that come to mind.
안녕하세요 ~ AN-NYEONG-HASEYO
Hello!
Formal way to say hello to people!
감사합니다 ~ (G/K)AMSA-HAMNIDA
Thank you
Remember your thank yous!!! Theres a certain tone that goes along with this phrase that can be difficult to master. Its like...kamSA-hamni-DAH. Its hard to explain through text. Go watch youtube videos....
저기요 ~ (C/J)HO-GE-YO!
Excuse me! Hey!
A way to call attention to somebody or get their attention. I actually used this one a lot more than I expected. Useful when asking for help in stores, or asking to clarify things in restaurants. Or trying to get someones attention on the street.
괜찮아요 ~ (GW/KW)IN-CHA-NAYO
Its alright! I'm fine! It's okay!
A useful phrase to turn down things, say you're alright, or something to say when someone is offering you help. (An older lady said this too me when I offered her my seat on the bus. I insisted! :3.)
어서오세요 ~ OH-SO-SE-YO
Welcome!
Just a useful phrase for all you shoppers out there, you will hear this often when walking in shops or restaurants. Offer a head nod.
잠시만요 ~ J(A/U)M-SHI-MAN-YO
One moment! Excuse me! Just a sec!
When passing someone or excusing yourself. Heard a lot on crowded buses -_-
이해가 안 돼요 ~ IHEAGA-AN-DWAEYO
I don't understand.
Even with your super Korean skills there's bound to be at least a couple instances where you might need to learn this. There are so many variations to this phrase but this was just easiest for me to pronounce.
화장실 ~ HWAJANG-SHIL
Bathroom.
Nuff said.
네 ~ (NEH) 아니요 ~ (ANI-YO)
Yes and no!
You can say yes when listening to someone talk to show that you're a good listener!
외국인 ~ WEI-GU-KIN
Foreigner.
You might here this sometimes while walking on the street. 'Oh! Weigukin!' 'Migooksaram!' (American person). Don't take it as an insult. Sometimes seeing a foreigner is surprising in Korea. I could tell you all about Korea's homogeneous society, but I shall spare you. Google it or something. If you hear this, just turn to the person offer a head bow and an 'annyeong!'.
LEARN THE NUMBER SYSTEM. It is REALLY helpful. Especially if you don't want to get ripped off by a cab (even I made mistakes here, getting a cab ride for 10 that I probably could have gotten for 5, oops!) or when haggling in the markets. Sometimes if you're trying to buy something, the person will relay the price to you back in English, sometimes not.
Because its Korea and not everyone speaks English.
If you bargain back using Korean numbers (Il, I Sam) you might be getting a better deal since people might respect that you seem to know what you're doing.
I'd recommend learning both number sets (Hana, Dul, Set) , if you plan to take the subway and just for daily convenience.
While on that 12+ hour plane, try to learn some Hangul (Korean language) as well. Download a good app! It's easier than you think and it's worth it! It's very straightforward and takes maybe a weekend to learn.
There is so much more I could put on here, transportation phrases, getting to know you phrases, restaurant phrases, informal phrases. I think learning a least a little bit of Korean is essential for going to Korea. Understanding the language is part of understanding its culture. In more touristy parts, more people will know English and want to practice with you and there are translations on street signs, but out in the country it can be a little more difficult.
I'm planning to write some more culture posts later to help anybody thats traveling but I guess my biggest trip is...just be thoughtful and understanding of a different culture!
What do you guys think? For all of you that have been to Korea, what were the most helpful phrases that you learned? Do you guys want me to cover anymore Korean topics? Write me in the comments below!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
CIEE South Korea 2013
Hey! Guys! I'm back now! And I have to say, I haven't totally divulged in what giant adventure I was preparing for in the last month. And if you didn't read the title~~
I was in South Korea on the 2013 CIEE South Korea Korea Foundation Scholarship.
It was the most exciting, crazy, independent and fun journey I've ever had. I can't even believe I got a spot in the program. I've been interested in South Korean culture for a while now, and I thought I would apply for a couple exchange programs (If they were free to apply I thought, why not?) And while I wasn't accepted for a couple, my parents got a note one day. I excitedly peeked over their shoulders to look at the computer.
I had been put on a wait-list. My heart sunk. I knew if I got excited, I would be setting myself up for a good chance of disappointment. I assumed it would be the end of my journey, but I knew that even being wait-listed was a huge accomplishment.
Well, a couple weeks later, I had spent a week without looking at the computer. I casually turned on the computer and saw there was another email from CIEE saying: We have a spot from you, please email me back before our office closes today or we'll have to give your spot to someone else.
I stared at the letter in shock and joy. I texted all my friends, I gave anybody within 15 feet of me bear hugs until I realized: It was 10 pm were I was, and in Portland, their main offices would most definitely be closed. I felt devastated. We called and called and called and emailed and emailed emailed, with no reply. I went to bed that night with a heavy heart, feeling that I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.
The next morning I woke up to my mom on the phone, with a smile on her face. My eyes got wide.
"Am I going?" I mouthed to her. She nodded. My feelings exploded. I spent the next couple weeks in disbelief, that I Carly, would set foot in South Korea. I would actually be there, a place that seemed almost unreal it was so unique. I would get to learn a new language and eat kimchi.
I would be where I could only dream of being.
It was overwhelming.
I spent the weeks preparing for my trip, making maps of the airports, connecting with others from the trip, planning my clothing, and Korean cram lessons. I was so excited. I have to say though, some of my relatives were worried about me, being in a foreign country without any of my relatives. But I knew I was ready for this. I just knew.
And I know this is super cheesy, but the people in my group made the trip what it was. Even then, just talking through the Internet, I felt like we were already friends.
And I can say I didn't fully realize I was going to Korea until I got on the plane (Well, the series of planes, considering I'm from Alaska).
It was an INCREDIBLE two weeks. I did so much.
I zip lined, went to a KPOP concert, I went to a cat cafe, shopping in Myeongdong, went to a Buddhist temple, I strolled with he youth in Hongdae, saw the technology of the future at Samsung and saw beautiful traditional temples. I went to noreabang, a board game bang, tried street food, mastered the subway system, bargained in Dongdaemun. I saw a disco bangbang, traveled in the deep country, and I ate more patbingsu than humanly possible and so much more.
I made connections that will last me a life time.
I found a country that I felt like I was meant to be in. I can only hope to return someday. I felt like I should blog about my experiences for you all, so I can share my travels with those interested in the culture as I am! I'm not sure If I'll keep it on this blog or create a new blog to share it on though.
So: more South Korea CIEE blog posts coming up! Prepare yourselves!
And on a final note: It turned out that I was the only wait-listed person to get on the program, and that I was the last person to commit to the program.
Also, It might have been the last year of the South Korea 2 week program.
So potentially I might have been the last person in the history of the program to be accepted.
Words cannot explain how grateful I am. How much getting in the program meant to me. And there were so many amazing candidates to this program. Every time I think about how lucky I am It just makes me speechless.
Thank you Korea Foundation. Thank you CIEE. I will use these experiences for the rest of my life.
Stay tuned everybody! Korean culture posts coming up!
I was in South Korea on the 2013 CIEE South Korea Korea Foundation Scholarship.
It was the most exciting, crazy, independent and fun journey I've ever had. I can't even believe I got a spot in the program. I've been interested in South Korean culture for a while now, and I thought I would apply for a couple exchange programs (If they were free to apply I thought, why not?) And while I wasn't accepted for a couple, my parents got a note one day. I excitedly peeked over their shoulders to look at the computer.
I had been put on a wait-list. My heart sunk. I knew if I got excited, I would be setting myself up for a good chance of disappointment. I assumed it would be the end of my journey, but I knew that even being wait-listed was a huge accomplishment.
Well, a couple weeks later, I had spent a week without looking at the computer. I casually turned on the computer and saw there was another email from CIEE saying: We have a spot from you, please email me back before our office closes today or we'll have to give your spot to someone else.
I stared at the letter in shock and joy. I texted all my friends, I gave anybody within 15 feet of me bear hugs until I realized: It was 10 pm were I was, and in Portland, their main offices would most definitely be closed. I felt devastated. We called and called and called and emailed and emailed emailed, with no reply. I went to bed that night with a heavy heart, feeling that I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.
The next morning I woke up to my mom on the phone, with a smile on her face. My eyes got wide.
"Am I going?" I mouthed to her. She nodded. My feelings exploded. I spent the next couple weeks in disbelief, that I Carly, would set foot in South Korea. I would actually be there, a place that seemed almost unreal it was so unique. I would get to learn a new language and eat kimchi.
I would be where I could only dream of being.
It was overwhelming.
I spent the weeks preparing for my trip, making maps of the airports, connecting with others from the trip, planning my clothing, and Korean cram lessons. I was so excited. I have to say though, some of my relatives were worried about me, being in a foreign country without any of my relatives. But I knew I was ready for this. I just knew.
And I know this is super cheesy, but the people in my group made the trip what it was. Even then, just talking through the Internet, I felt like we were already friends.
And I can say I didn't fully realize I was going to Korea until I got on the plane (Well, the series of planes, considering I'm from Alaska).
It was an INCREDIBLE two weeks. I did so much.
I zip lined, went to a KPOP concert, I went to a cat cafe, shopping in Myeongdong, went to a Buddhist temple, I strolled with he youth in Hongdae, saw the technology of the future at Samsung and saw beautiful traditional temples. I went to noreabang, a board game bang, tried street food, mastered the subway system, bargained in Dongdaemun. I saw a disco bangbang, traveled in the deep country, and I ate more patbingsu than humanly possible and so much more.
I made connections that will last me a life time.
I found a country that I felt like I was meant to be in. I can only hope to return someday. I felt like I should blog about my experiences for you all, so I can share my travels with those interested in the culture as I am! I'm not sure If I'll keep it on this blog or create a new blog to share it on though.
So: more South Korea CIEE blog posts coming up! Prepare yourselves!
And on a final note: It turned out that I was the only wait-listed person to get on the program, and that I was the last person to commit to the program.
Also, It might have been the last year of the South Korea 2 week program.
So potentially I might have been the last person in the history of the program to be accepted.
Words cannot explain how grateful I am. How much getting in the program meant to me. And there were so many amazing candidates to this program. Every time I think about how lucky I am It just makes me speechless.
Thank you Korea Foundation. Thank you CIEE. I will use these experiences for the rest of my life.
Stay tuned everybody! Korean culture posts coming up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)