Korean visitors talk about their life in Korea and compare lifestyle to England. “It has been an excellent experience” Songyi says.

A few youths, ranging in age from 15 to 17, visit Kingston from South Korea, Seoul. Their trip was possible because of the Kingston and Kwanak partnership and are hoping that in the future Kingston youths will be able to visit Korea as well. Arriving on the 13th of January, they hope to stay for 10 days and visit many different places.

They have been to Oxford, London and visited Shakespeare house, but they said that they enjoyed visiting the Mayor the most.

“We came here to experience English culture, learn English, meet the Kingston mayor and also sight seeing.”

To visit England the youths had to apply to their council as individuals from different schools, they were assisted by a few adults as well.

When all the youths from Kingston Youth Council and YUonline interacted with the 5 Korean visitors, many found that their tastes and interests were very similar. At most times, there was no language barrier and on many occassions they spoke very good English.

Many of the visitors said that they liked “Muse, Adele, Taylor Swift.”  As expected, they also had similar hobbies – they liked playing the piono, dancing, art, singing, eating, sleeping, baseball… they had good fun trying to teach Caderyn the Korean language as well.

However lifestlye was very different. The visiters expressed that school started at 7 30 in the morning and it lasted till 4, but they had to attend self study lessons which lasted till 10 in the night.

“It’s hell – school is prison – we have uniform too but on the plus side, there are loads of clubs like cheer leading, religion clubs.” To which I guess we can say that we dislike school here as well… so it’s not that different.

The culture in Korea was comparatively different. “There is a polite way so speaking, and a casual way – you have to bow to greet teachers.”

Graham Mann Smith, a youth worker, expresses that “what I liked about the visit was that in the end it was the interaction between the groups that was most about. It was all about the interaction.”

We asked them what they liked about this is what they said:

- Songyi says that “there are lots of dogs, English dogs are bigger than Korean dogs – but it’s really peaceful here. It’s really busy in Korea. I’ve never had such an experience and I’ve loved it.”

- Harin says ” I had a lot of experience about England. The buildings are so different, there are small houses. We have buildings in Korea.”

Inkyun says “ There are many artists on the street and it was very good. The people use so much gesutre when they talk to each other.”

Kim Dong Geon says “England’s history is very interesting. England is fresher and the England food is good - I like the English food.”

Yoonju says ” This is the first time I left Korea; it is so exciting but I am really tired because of the 9 hour difference. I’ve got a Jet-lag so I can’t sleep. England food is very different, I like English food, I even liked it back home. I can’t remember Korean food. England is very interesting – I like Windsor castle – there is no royal family in Korea. So, yeah, it’s amazing.”