Intensives

Over January korean public schools close. However, instead of these kids spending the month playing computer games, raiding the fridge and hanging out with their friends they just come to us for extra schooling. Poor things.

It's cool because I get paid more but I am also doing 12/13 hour days everyday and even then I'm finishing up stuff at home. Urgh. I'm doing a critical analysis of Oliver Twist and Sherlock Holmes with with my middle schoolers, which I really enjoy, especially when they actually do their homework and talk to me. I'm also doing extra 1 on 1 tutoring for two college level students who are trying to get into the top english language university in korea. They are spending the whole year studying towards the college entrance exam, Lone Ranger style.

However it could be worse. It could be a military schooling camp. (Picture stolen from the Daily Telegraph web site)

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Pepero Day and High School exams

Today (the 12th) was the college entrance for high school students all across Korea. It is a BIG deal. A Levels exams cannot possibly compete as these exams quite literally determine ones future. As I've mentioned before, these kids study damn hard and this is what it is all for. Once they get into the highest ranked college or university they can they chill. It is all about the name and ranking not the course and once they get there they can do nothing for 4 years before they have to join the job world.

Outside the schools were hundreds of parents cheering on the kids. Nearly all buisnesses opened an hour late to relieve the traffic so the kids weren't late and police escorts were given to kids who were for some reason running late.

Swine flu hasn't stopped them either. The kids with it or suspected of having it are simply isolated. They still have to take it. God even thinking about it makes me anxious!!!!

Parents cheering the kids on outside a school in Gwangju

For most in England 11th November is a pretty somber day but in Korea it is Pepero Day. A day created by Lotte (a supermarket) to boost sales of the chocolate dipped candy.

This stuff

It's meant to be similar to valentines day, in that young people and couples exchange chocolate and sweets. Specifically these Pepero sticks because they look like 11/11 (the date yesterday). It's so contrived and really reminds me of the Simpsons episode when Hallmark creates 'Love Day' to fill the gap in the market between holidays. Or maybe I'm just bitter cause my pile of Pepero sticks from the students didn't come anywhere near one of my fellow teachers. Mines right, hers is left.

We decided to celebrate Pepero day by drinking far to much beer on an empty stomach. Oh wait I lie, they did give us some grilled squid. Looks gross but I love it!

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