Home Stay and Ewha Woman's University

At the end of our second day we will be meeting up with our host families. I am very excited about this part of the trip. I think it is a unique part of this trip that, otherwise, I would never have the opportunity to do. In the future, when we go to Korea as a family, we will most likely go with a group. We won't have a chance to get to experience a stay in a Korean household.

We meet at Shinchon Hotel. I have searched on the internet several times for more information. I can't tell if this is the name of a hotel (or hotel chain) or the area in which it is located.

On June 8th will be an orientation meeting down in Closter, NJ. Pete and I will be driving down so I can attend. At that time we will learn more about the trip and staying with our host families. I am sure we will get information on what to expect...and proper Korean manners! I am concerned about being unintentionally rude to the family I am staying with, although I am sure they will be forgiving given the fact that this is my first visit to Korea.

On the 3rd day we will be having breakfast at a hotel and then going to Ewha Woman's College. My Korean language teacher told me that this is a very prestigious college. They have programs for Korean students and international students. We will be meeting with the Dean of the Education Department.

The colleges education department was started in 1945. In 1998, 2003, and 2010 the department was rated as being the "most competitive school." Within the department, students can focus on Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, Educational Technology, English Education, Social Studies, Korean Education, Science, and Mathematics.

Their website indicates that they were one of the first colleges to offer campus tours lead by Korean students. They report that not only interested high school students come for tours, but international students, international celebrities, and professors/educators from abroad. The description of the campus and campus life sounds very much like American colleges. They have residence halls, cafeterias, and academic buildings.

I imagine that meeting with the Dean of Education is to get an overview of Korean education. Before going on the trip, I need to do some more learning about the structure of Korean schools. I do know it is a very competitive environment with much emphasis placed on getting into a good college.

We will have lunch at the college. After lunch, it appears that our group splits up. Some of us will go visit schools and some will go visit adoption agencies. I fit in both categories!!!

Although I really want to learn about the education system, I cannot pass up the opportunity to visit Eastern Social Welfare. Both of my children spent time in Eastern Babies Home and I am eager to see where they spent the early part of their lives. More about that later!