“I taught middle school children who I grew close to,” said Joe Ryan Urby, a junior history major. “They were very shy the first couple of days, but I finally realized that this would be a one-time experience for me. So I just let loose and did all I could to get the children engaged. I had bags of candy that I would pass out, as well as pencils and other small prizes.”
His “bribery” worked, and Urby went away with much more than just teaching experience.
“My favorite part about teaching was knowing I was making a difference in their lives as well as my own.”
Cristina Alaniz, a senior political science major at UIW, agreed. “The kids were amazing. Korean kids put 110 percent into their work.”
Dr. Scott Dittloff, associate professor of political science and the faculty chaperone to Korea, could easily see the UIW students would be changed by the end of the trip. “All the students left their classrooms after the first day completely transformed.”
However, the group had more than just a professional teaching experience during their time in Korea. Students and faculty both had much praise for the hospitality of their Korean hosts and appreciation of the Korean culture.
The language barrier proved to be of little consequence. Dittloff admitted some challenges, but said overall, he was able to communicate. “It sometimes took a while to make my point, but everyone was very patient and worked very hard to help me express myself. I never felt like I was unwelcome. People seemed to go out of their way to be charming and gracious.”
This welcoming attitude pervaded the Americans’ experience in Korea.
“From the day we arrived to the time we left, the Koreans provided us with the best hospitality available,” Urby said, and the others agreed.
“They took wonderful care of us,” Mortis said. “I also learned that food and making sure everyone is fed is a huge part of the culture. In America, we say ‘How are you?’ In Korea, they say ‘Have you eaten?’”
The experience of Korean meals was something new, too.
“The time we sat on the floor with our shoes off, eating and sharing off the same food platter, was awesome,” Alaniz said. “It was like we had a feast every time we sat and ate.”
Moments like these made the trip memorable for the Americans. It was their immersion in the Korean culture that made the trip life-altering.
“The sense of tradition, honor and respect as well as just the very different nature of society made me reconsider my role in my own society and as a member of the human race,” Dittloff said. “It really was as if I was looking at the world with new eyes.”
The students echoed his sentiments.
“In the end, I came back home with an appreciation for the Koreans. I had never been on such a long trip so far away from home, but the people there always made me feel at home,” Urby said.
Alaniz agreed. “I like to see different cultures. I am so glad I was selected to be a part of this life-changing experience.”
