Army Strong Stories

Teaching English in South Korea

Joel Barrett — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:24:00 GMT

By: Joel Barrett
The past two weeks has been a crazy time for those of us over here in Korea. We have been practicing and rehearsing our english lessons and braving classrooms full of 35 wild screaming children. I have taught four different classrooms so far, with one class of 15 year olds and three classes of 13 year olds. Their understanding of English varies from kids who are fluent and spent years living in America to children who seem to pray that if they keep their hands folded and a smile on their face...read more

Seafood Buffet in South Korea

Joel Barrett — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:24:00 GMT

By: Joel Barrett
So I am on a CULP trip to South Korea and we got to go out to the fish market near Incheon and were treated to a meal so amazing that most Koreans never see anything like it. there were buckets full of scallops, clams, oysters, and there were literally squirming Octopi crawling around in my plate... apparently dead animal that moves is considered good haha. But regardless, I am enjoying being in Korea and exploring everything over here i can. I did enjoy trying the squid and the octopus, but...read more

Training with ROK cadets

Joel Barrett — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:48:03 GMT

By: Joel Barrett
I am in korea this month with ROTC on a cultural understanding language program. I have had an awesome time so far, but the most meaningful to me so far was when we got to go spend a couple days with ROK cadets at their main training facility. We were immediately welcomed whenever we came into sight with thunderous applause and the most wide mouthed grins I have ever seen. The ROK soldiers were so kind and welcoming that hurdling the language barrier came naturally. We spent a an hour observing...read more