Eg er frå Norsk. / I am from Norway.

On October 27^th Korean adoptees from Norway visited Korea to learn and understand about Korean cultural heritage. They were invited Korea by MIZY Center in cooperation with the Korean Embassy in Norway and the Norwegian Embassy in Korea. There were eight students from Norway and nine from Korea. This project has its purpose in “enhancing mutual understanding and raising awareness of multiculturalism”, according to the Norwegian Embassy in Korea website(http://www.norway.or.kr/News_and_events/Culture/Norwegian-adoptees-visit-Korea/).

 

On October 30^th, MIZY selected a handful of students for volunteering positions. Chosen participants gave a tour around Seoul for adopted Norwegian Korean students. Each Norwegian student was paired up with a Korean student and got acquainted with one another, visited popular sights, and received pocket money for a meal, entrance fees and refreshments. This was an exciting opportunity to share similarities and to understand cultural differences.

 

After being paired up with our partner, Korean and Norwegian students participated in a campaign entitled the “Shoes of Hope” Sponsored by High 1 resort, a Korean company, the goal of this intriguing event was to color and draw on shoes; ultimately being will be sent to Ethiopia and given to underprivileged children. Although there was some awkwardness—we didn’t know what to say at first but after being so immersed in the activities showcased, gradually we found friendship and bonded well.

 

Nevertheless, there was still uneasiness so I desperately wanted to break the ice.

I decided to combine paired groups so that we could induce more productiveness. We all went to COEX, although this wasn’t a planned cultural experience, the Norwegian students got to buy things that were expensive and hard to get back in Norway. Afterwards, we visited Olympic Park and got to see a Baekjae culture experience exposition.

 

 

                  From 27 October to 2 November, the youths from Norway enjoyed a hectic program. They attended tea ceremony in a Buddhist temple, visited a kimchi factory and had a trip to the DMZ, the border between South and North Korea. They also stopped by the Norwegian Embassy for an insight in the daily life at an embassy, and to hear more about the relationship between Norway and Korea.

 

             At the very last day of the stay in Korea, we gathered up in MIZY and said goodbyes. We brought our own musical instruments and performed little pieces of music to others. One of my favorite: a Korean participant played Arirang in Korean fiddle. It was a meaningful gathering once again, and we all exchanged our contact numbers and hoped to see together again somewhere in the future.

 

             As one of the Korean participants, Korean students tried to show good sides of Korea to give them fresh, likable first impression. We hope they have had a productive yet meaningful week that they would cherish for the rest of their lives.