Helena's Experience in Bus Travel and the Host Family

Today is my fourth day in Seoul (2nd July 2009). I am starting to feel a lot more settled. Last few days we had lectures and meetings of our Bath Spa team. We have now planned our schedule of activities. I live with a host family. My host is a 25 year old Dongguk University student called Yoony. Yoony is lovely. It is quite nice that it is only two of us in the house. Next week her father will visit us for a few days. It is good to meet some of her family. On my first day I had to find my way to the university by myself as Yoony had a class at a different University. I was a little worried at first, as Seoul is very big and quite hectic. It turned out fine though we had walked to the bus stop only the night before. I found my way to the right bus, and Yoony had written my stop in Korean to show the driver. I tried to get off at the wrong stop, however, as I heard the announcement for Donkkuk University (I was going to Dongguk for morning lectures). As soon as I stepped off I saw the wrong name on the bus stop but luckily the bus driver beeped the horn and made me get back on. I was very lucky and glad that I had the stop written in Korean! The photo here is with my host, Yoony.
Commentary by Helena Stokes, Year 3, Creative Writing and Media Communications

Caroline's Experiences in Korea

My visit to Korea was the first to Asia. Like others in the team, I experienced initial culture shocks. After recovering from jet lag and receiving warm and comforting welcome from my host family in Seoul, I soon felt relaxed and began to experience the life-style of Koreans first hand. The members of our team were extremely supportive and we began to film and record events of our experience in Korea as a team. Every day, I waited for an adventure! This photo was taken towards the end of our educational tour in Gyonju after visiting an impressive Buddha statue with Helena and Angharad.
Caroline Quin, Year 2, Study of Religions

The History of Wookblocks of Korean Buddhist Canon

We were privileged to learn from Professor Robert Buswell of University of California Los Angeles who gave us many lectures on Buddhism in Korea. His lectures lasted two weeks. This video clip captures Professor Buswell's explanation of the history of making the woodblock prints of Korean Buddhist Canon. The Tripitaka Koreana made of woodblocks is a national treasure in Korea and an amazing achievement of the past. The Unesco World Heritage temple Haeinsa holds 81,340 woodblocks today. It took 16 yeas to complete the woodblocks.

Experiencing Religion, Culture and Society in Korea: A Spa Journey 2008

This is the DVD produced for the undergraduate module SR3028 Religion, Culture and Society in Korea organized by Dr. Mahinda Deegalle. It is a reedited version to place in the web. For the first time, a team of Bath Spa students went to Korea in June 2008 for one month to initiate the international exchange between Bath Spa University and Dongguk University. This programme has been funded twice now by the British Council and as a result, it has become an important part of international education programme in the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries as well as Bath Spa University. Now every year we welcome several Korean students from Dongguk University to our programmes at Bath Spa. We are also now in the process of producing another DVD this year on the basis of our journey to Korea in July 2009.

Food with Flavour and Aesthetics

In Korea, food has flavour as well as aesthetics. The national staple Kimchi was a main part of diet as it is today. A side dish of spiced Kimchi was found in all three meals. To sustain life in long winters a variety of vegetables traditionally were preserved in jars like this.

Deegalle on Bath Spa 'Study of Religions and Ethics" and International Programme

Dr. Deegalle describes his research activities and the "Study of Religions and Ethics" degree programme at Bath Spa University with new developments of expanding international cooperation to Korea with a student exchange with Dongguk University, South Korea funded by the British Council.

Experiences Remembered!

Yesterday I visited Korean Cultural Centre in Trafalgar Square in London. Suddenly I remembered my favourite food and sites that I was familiar with when I visited Seoul a few weeks early. Perhaps, our students too have memories to cherish! Many dishes to taste! Many photos to take!!