How has your impression on South Korea change in the last few days?
Before I went to South Korea, I always believed that South Korea is a concrete jungle and have been completely urbanized with a disregard for greenery within the city.Boy, was a I wrong! Even though South Korea's cities are urban, there are still visible effort to create trees and plants in the city as seen with various planting of plants within the city. The city is adequately filled with greenery and is not totally concrete.This made me relate South Korea's cities to Singapore which manage to be urban while containing greenery. As a result, I now think of South Korea as more of a garden city like Singapore.
In your opinion, give 2 similarities and 2 differences between Singapore and South Korea
Both South Korea and Singapore manage to create garden city which meant that both country were able to create urban areas that are filled with greenery.Efforts to grow plants within the city are visible in both countries
Both South Korea and Singapore have incredible high stress level for their students.This is evident in South Korea with students have full time studies till as late as 12 midnight and having tests every 3 weeks.This is also evident in Singapore with the frequent important exams such as PSLE,"O" Level in which the students are driven mercilessly to cram details into their head for the tests.However, in South Korea, I noticed that the students seem to be more proactive in their students rather then being forced by their parents which I feel is totally unlike the situation in Singapore where parents actively search for tuition services in an attempt to boost their child's results with a disregard for the child's opinion.
However,South Korea and Singapore are different as South Koreans;I noticed seems to be more environmentally conscious than Singaporeans.While like Singapore where recycle bins can be found nearly everywhere, In South Korea, I noticed that there are no advertisement on recycling or whatsoever yet the South Koreans recycle. It is amazing to note this aspect as I feel that South Koreans have truly incorporated recycling into their culture.Young or old, South Koreans recycle without a need for reminders from the government which I feel is commendable.
Also, In South Korea, while there are various signs that prohibit certain acts such as smoking, there are no punishment written on the signs unlike Singapore which have things such as "No Smoking. Fine $5000". The signs in South Korea are very effective as I have not seen anyone doing things that are prohibited by the signs while in South Korea. This goes a long way to show that to get people to obey the law, you do not need to place a punishment below every sign. I feel Singapore can learn from this aspect of South Korea.
List and explain three of your most memorable experience.
The Daegu Safety Theme Park. It contains simulation of fires and earthquakes which are very impressive as I have not seen anything like it in Singapore.The theme park also contains quite a disturbing amount of disaster history in South Korea such as gas leak explosion and fires.This also shows South Korea's honesty in presenting their mistakes and hoping that other will learn from them.
The Seoul Tower. It is high up on the mountain and we had to hike up the mountain but all the effort was worth it when you reach the top. It was absolutely beautiful. The scenery were entrancing and simply amazing.You could see the entire Korea from the tower, including the North Korea if you use the telescope.
Walking around South Korea. Just walking around to me is already a memorable experience. The cool and frosty air. The unrelenting yet pleasant wind.The cold weather is utterly pleasant; at least to me though other may disagree. All of these are experiences that you will never find in Singapore due to the fact that Singapore only have one season.
List and Explain three things you have learnt about yourself and your life as a student?
I learnt that I have plenty of liberty as a student in Singapore as the students in South Korea can't even choose what they want to eat in school.
I also learnt that students in Singapore have it easy due to the fact with have half-day school instead of full-day school like South Korea where students have to study for the entire day till the dead of the night before going home
I also learnt that I enjoy cold weather a lot. Seriously A LOT. The experience of having cool natural wind blowing on your face is something that cannot be replaced. Artificial wind from the fan or the air conditioner just cannot match up to it.
By Lim Jun Yang
3E1
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