Chinazo in South Korea Archives - Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Culture Shock… What’s that?

June 13, 2014

I’ll be honest, I used to laugh at the idea of culture shock and reverse culture shock.

Now for me, I do not think I have had culture shock in any of the countries I have gone to. I am more like a sponge that wants to soak in as much of every culture and environment as I possibly can. Added to this, I live a hyphenated life. I am a Nigerian-American and I recognize with both. There are a lot of little parts of American culture that I do not identify with. Usually, they are replaced with some aspect of Nigerian culture. In fact, I’ve learned that my body prefers foreign foods more than American foods! At the same time, I am a true southern Texas girl with a homecoming mum as big as the state still hanging in my bedroom. Since I have always lived in essentially two worlds, I am never too surprised by differing cultures. I enjoy learning the differences between Korean culture and both American culture and Nigerian culture. Culture shock has not been an issue for this reason.

Reverse culture shock is another beast entirely. Even after my shorter 3 to 5 week trips all I wanted to do is to go back. It seems like no one is really interested in my trip and even if they are and I explain everything, it is not the same. I am convinced that it will only be worse when I get home this time. Four months of memories will be hard to express to friends and family when I get home. I have noticed that I spend quite a long time at stage 8. Usually the start of school and work snap me back to my normal mode, however most of the annoyance I have gotten post-trips is when people have discussions about events that you were not there for and they forget that. You are thinking I have been gone for two months, why would I know what you are talking about? At the end of the day, you just have to remember that during the time you are gone, their life still exists. Eventually you get back to your regular routine and everything becomes a wonderful memory.

I basically go from scale 1-7 my entire trip. Even now, when I talk to my family, I tell them I am not ready to come home. I did not have frustrations with the culture and the differences. I noticed that cultural aspects that are different from American culture are very similar to Nigerian culture. It’s been amazing to see how things that I thought would different are actually quite similar.

I wonder how other people deal with their cultural shock.

The Burden of Traveling

May 20, 2014

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

Traveling is not brutality! Meeting strangers with different views on the world and experiencing new things is the purpose of travel. That feeling of discomfort and confusion is what I enjoy about traveling. What made me so excited about my trip abroad was thinking about all of the new people I would meet and the places I would go.

Let me take a step back. I’ll be honest. While I was 95% full of excitement, I did have that 5% of apprehension and fear. Not really of the unknown or the idea of being in an unfamiliar area but mostly of just being alone. I’d traveled abroad on school trips before, but this is the first time I have traveled without anyone from my home university. No family in Korea. No friends in Korea. No one. That fact was daunting for about a second and then excitement took over again.

I know there are probably a lot of people who feel that way. In fact, I know people who would love to travel, but are just too afraid to take that leap due to the discomforts listed in Pavese’s quote. But when I think of Gilman Scholars, or people who apply for the Gilman Scholarship or any study abroad scholarship for that matter are different kinds of people. The initiative it takes to look for ways to go abroad and do the work obtain them prove that we have the extra drive to be in new environments. I think people who actively try to study abroad would have a tendency to deny this quote. If we really believed it, we probably would not travel. While things can get uncomfortable and awkward and nerve-racking and annoying, it all will be exciting and engaging and amazing and fantastic when we look back on it. Even while I’m here, I still am amazed at the little things that are part of day-to-day life, like my walk to class. My awkwardness at butchering the Korean language when I talk to a store owner becomes one of those amazing little moments that I completely cherish.

The point is, regardless of those fears and the new, uncomfortable situations and surroundings, they all become the trip, not just part of it. They become the things you miss.

Meet Gilman Video Blogger – Chinazo

December 6, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVMHY3vNmik

Meet U.S. Department of State sponsored Gilman Scholarship recipient Chinazo Onwukaike. Chinazo is a current Gilman Global Experience Correspondent for the Fall 2013 semester in Seoul, South Korea. The Gilman Global Experience allows Gilman Scholarship recipients the opportunity to record videos around academic and cultural themes to share with other students interested in studying or interning abroad in the featured country. For more videos please visit the Gilman Scholarship’s Official YouTube page.

Eating in Seoul

December 4, 2013

Food! One of my favorite topics indeed! Since being in Korea, I have eaten so many delicious meals that it’s hard to know where to start.
I lied, yes I do. 김치. Kimchi is fermented cabbage is a chili paste sauce. I have heard that for most people you either love it or you hate it. I love it, which is great because it is served with every single meal. Koreans love their kimchi and so do I. Some Koreans have been surprised that I enjoy kimchi as much as I do. It’s been a great way to talk to people! If you just can’t get into the cabbage, there are other variations of kimchi such as radish kimchi. You might find the one you like. Hey, I know some people who came here hating kimchi and now they love it.
It would be good for you would have love for rice. You eat rice with almost every meal. Being Nigerian, this was perfectly fine with me since I grew up eating rice almost every day. For others, this might get a little redundant, but never fear! If ever in need for an old-fashioned hamburger and fries, Seoul has you covered too. From McDonalds to Taco Bell, you can have your fast food fix anytime of the day. Now personally, I didn’t come to South Korea for food I can have in Dallas. I’ve eaten so many wonderful Korean dishes like 불고기(Bulgogi) Korean beef and 잡채(japchae), a kind of clear noodle with vegetables and meat. In all honesty, I have eaten these dishes back in the States. I am fortunate enough to have a Korean food restaurant right on my campus! So for me, I was excited to try new foods and compare the ones I’ve eaten in Dallas.
The food that has become my whole world while in Korea is 삼겹설 (samgyupsal) or pork belly barbecue! I can imagine some people reading, especially those out of the south (am I stereotyping?) would be shocked. Pork belly? Three words. Di. Li. Cious. Now I’d always seen the grilled meat at different Korean restaurants, but I never knew what was enticing about it. Firstly, I thought the price was absurd. Only once coming to Korea did I learn it was a group rate. And I couldn’t understand why there was so many side dishes that no one seemed to ever eat out of. Now I have learned the art of Samgyupsal. The meat is grilled, which on its own is absolutely delicious, but it is enhanced with what I like to call the Monster Concoction. You take a leaf, I have no idea what kind of vegetable it is but I love it. Then you put one or two pieces of meat inside. Add any of the (seemingly untouched) side dishes that you desire in as well. This is usually onion, green onion, garlic (it is not as strong as in the States), kimchi, and anything else that’s given. You then dip your leaf wrap into any of the sauces given. I also have no idea what they are, but they are delicious. Then in order to eat it properly you must stuff the entire leaf wrap with its contents into your mouth. That’s right folks! There’s no room for the weary here. This is the secret to complete enjoyment. When you are eating your wrap, feel free to shed a single tear in happiness. No one will judge you. In fact, they might join along and/or clap in encouragement. The great news, as if it could get any better, is that you do not have to only eat grilled pork belly. There are several different parts and kinds of meats that you can eat! The two most common are pork and beef, but they are several different options for those that want it.
Not a meat eater? No problem! Clearly samgyupsal and the grill are not for you but there are several options in the Korean palette that are meat free. Basically every kind of food can be eaten with the meat excluded and still be satisfying. My suggestion would be the food I eat probably too often, 비빔밥(bibimbap). Bibimbap is a large bowl with rice, vegetables and sauce. Many times, meat and or an egg is added, but this can be taken out. Now my description may seem a bit lacking, but in essence that truly is the entire dish. Like most all dishes here, it can vary greatly depending on who makes it and where you are. In fact, just last night I saw one with curry which is very unique. Normally, you can find, seaweed, bean sprouts, carrot and mushrooms. I remember the first time I had it, I didn’t know I was supposed to mix everything together so I sat there eating plain veggies wondering why everyone ordered it so often. All I can do is sit back and laugh now. I eat it maybe twice a week or more now!
It’s very difficult to go hungry here. There are great prices and great food to match, regardless of your taste.

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