2 words to describe today's experiences
Enchanting
Reluctance
The heritage sites were enchanting, being among colourful trees and comfortable weather. However we had to bid farewell with our buddies we spent so much time with at Busan Science High School and it made me very reluctant to leave.
2 highlights of the day
A highlight of today, was definitely the visit to the Seokgulam temple. It was such an unforgettable experience. The trees were coloured in a gradient of yellow and red, and the weather was not too cold. Although we had a very limited time there and there was a distance to trek, I enjoyed myself immensely in the comfort of the picturesque scenery.
Another highlight of today was the visit to the e-mart at the end of the day. I found myself enjoying exploring aisles and buying things with my friends. 1 hour was simply not enough time for us. In the end, we walked back to the hotel carrying many large paper bags and cardboard boxes. It was tiring, but the thought that this was a rare experience to visit a supermarket freely with my friends overseas made it all worth it.
2 things you've leant about Korea
Today, I learned that Korea also values the conservation of heritage sites. This is evident from the Seokgulam temple and the Bulgulksa temple, UNESCO heritage sites. While we were there, we encounted several structures that looked like they were in a new condition. However, we were later told that the structures, to our surprise, we built from over 1500 years ago. This made me realise that the Koreans value the conservation of heritage sites in order to preserve the culture of Korea.
I also learned that Korean people are not only warm and welcoming, but also value friendships. After our gift exchange in Busan Science High School, we had to leave due to our tight schedule. As we were boarding the bus, our buddies crowded the area outside the bus and were waving at us while the bus were driving off. It showed that they genuinely wanted to make friends with us and were reluctant to see us go.
2 things you've learnt about yourself
I learned that I have a passion for photography today. At the heritage sites, upon seeing all the colourful trees, I found myself constantly snapping pictures of the scenery. I realise that I enjoy taking pictures and sharing them with my friends.
Today, I also found that I really enjoy spending time with my friends. At the e-mart today, I realised that I enjoy shopping and exploring the place with my friends. I found myself buying many things, which would definitely not happen if I was there by myself.
2 things you didn't do so well
Today my roommate and I did not wake up to my alarm and slept through the wake up call and almost held up the group. Luckily, we did not cause too much of a delay. I think that in future, I could set multiple alarms so that if I miss an alarm, I could still wake up to another alarm, or adjust the alarm to an earlier time.
Today, I also did not manage to take down notes at the temples as I was so mesmerised by the scenery around and forgot not bring my notebook. As a result, I might have missed out on some knowledge about the beritage sites. In future I could be more careful in checking whether I have brought all the things I need.
2 things you look forward to tomorrow
Tomorrow, I look forward to visiting the Busan National Science Museum and exploring the various exhibits. I hope to gain more knowledge on the different aspects of science. I also look forward to visiting the observatory as this is a rare experience.
I also look forward to the various experiments we would carry out tomorrow at the Busan National Science Museum. Carrying out experiments is one of the methods that would allow me to learn the most, and so I believe that through the experiments, I would be able to learn a lot more than a classroom situation.
Connect
Today, during the presentations, we learnt the methods to make a top that spins infinitely. It makes use of electromagnets to spin the top, which we had prior knowledge as we have learnt electromagnets in physics classes back in SST.
Extend
However, there was some aspects of the setup that I did not understand. They made use of a reed switch in their set up, something I have not learned back in SST. However, through the presentation, I learnt that the reed switch is actually a switch that is activated by magnetic fields. This truly extended on my understanding on my topic and the possibilities of these electronics.
Challenge
Through the presentations, it changed my thinking on how learning can be conducted. Previously, I thought that learning has to be done in a classroom with a teacher to pass knowledge to their students. However, I found that I was also able to learn from other students, especially in this presentation sharing, where I could learn from my busan buddies. This made me think that it is also possible to learn from our peers and share knowledge with one another instead of simply relying solely on the teacher.
During these fey days at Busan Science High School, I attended several classes which has impacted the way I think and learn. Many of these classes shared common resemblance to the subjects we study in SST, though not exactly the same. This allowed us to put into use knowledge we learnt from SST and still learn more things.
Connect
There were numerous occasions whereby the classes covered in Busan Science High School connected to the subjects taught back in SST. For example, the first class was the robotics class, where we were supposed to make an Arduino based frequency detector and output it visually using lights. It involved Arduino, and breadboards, which had me thinking back on what was taught during the ICT lessons back in the first 2 years of SST. It surprised me that ICT lessons from so long ago was still applicable to the robotics classes here in Busan Science High School. I also had to use knowledge from the FOE AS back in SST to wire the microphone, LED, and the Arduino together via the breadboard.
During the geography class, we were tasked to measure the level of the ground by using a clinometer. We went to various spots around the school measuring the steepness of the slope. The experience was very similar to that of geography fieldwork back in SST. It may not be the exact same instruments we use in SST, but we definitely used the same methods to record data.
Through these experiences, they taught me that the subjects we learn are not separated and isolated and can be used concurrently in one interdisciplinary project.
Extend
During the classes, we were faced with challenges in completing the projects, even though we might have some prior knowledge in some aspects.
For example, during the physics class yesterday, we were tasked to create a type of capacitor to generate EM waves, and building a detector to light up an LED bulb when an EM wave is detected. We have prior knowledge of capacitors due to FOE lessons, but during FOE, we have always used a capacitor in circuits but never built one. During the physics class, however, we had to build one and thus we faced numerous challenges. However, with the help of my buddy and the teacher, we managed to complete the project. It really extended my learning and understanding of the capacitor, being able to physically make one.
Challenge
My thoughts about learning has changed significantly through some classes.
Especially during the robotics class, my perspective of learning has changed. I have always thought that learning a subject means to sit through a class on the subject and memorising facts and equations. During my experience in the robotics class, however, I found that I could learn a subject not only by sitting through a class, but by experimenting by myself. We did not know how to wire the different parts at first, but after experimenting and testing, we finally completed it. This shows that we do not necessarily need to sit through a class to learn, but instead, I remember it more clearly by experimenting it myself. Also, often, multiple subjects can be involved concurrently, and thus we should not think of subjects as separate isolated subjects and instead consider them as a whole. This is evident from the fact that we needed knowledge from multiple subjects in the same project of building a sound frequency detector.
3 words to describe today's experiences
1. learning.
2. enriching.
3. captivating.
The learning today was achieved especially in the POSCO museum, something we would never experience from a textbook or an online video.
3 highlights of the day
The highlights consists of arriving in Busan, where we would finally experience the weather we had been preparing for, and stepping out of our comfort zone. Visiting the POSCO museum, especially where we were able to see for ourselves how iron is processed, was a truly memorable learning opportunity, and was another highlight for me. Finally, the visit to the Jagalchi Market enabled me to understand the ways of lives and the culture of the people of Busan by experiencing the unique ways they market seafood.
3 things you've learnt about Korea
I learnt that Korea is a country that values respect. For example, they would bow whenever they greet us. However most of the time, I would respond in English as I would forget the equivalent in the Korean language and it might result in them thinking that we do not respect their language and culture. The people in Korea are also warm and welcoming, especially the tour guide, who was very friendly and helped us when we needed it. Finally I learnt that Korea is heavily dependent on the steel industry, especially since the industry is the major reason Korea is where it is today in terms of economic growth.
3 things I learnt about myself
I learnt that I am able to eat spicy food, including the Korean kimchi. I also learnt that I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone, especially when experiencing this cold weather, and finally, I learnt that I can actually cook, especially during the meals where we were supposed to barbecue our own food for our dinner.
3 things I didn't do so well
At the beginning, I watched movies during the plane journey and sacrificed sleep, which could have affected my performance and focus during the day. I also tried some of the spicy food was a little too spicy. Finally I did not manage to catch all that was explained during the POSCO visit because I was unable to take down notes quickly enough and it might have resulted in me missing out in some knowledge.
3 things I look forward to tomorrow
I look forward to visiting the Busan Science High School and engaging in the programs there. I also look forward to meeting my buddy and making new friends. Finally I am also looking forward to the tea ceremony so that I could gain further understandings on the Korean culture.
How do you feel about the upcoming trip?
I feel excited to experience the new environment and culture in Busan.
3 things I am looking forward to
I look forward to experiencing the food and culture in Busan, learning about the technology and architecture in Busan, and to make new friends.
3 things I hope to learn from Busan
I hope to learn from Busan their way of life, the technology they use there, and also their architecture.
3 things I hope to learn from my friends
I hope to learn the ways they manage their time in the hectic student life in Busan, their interests, and their way of life as a local.
3 things I hope to learn about myself
How well I can converse with friends of different countries, how well I could adapt to a different culture, and how am I able to make new friends from a different country and culture.
3 challenges I give myself
I challenge myself to make friendships in Busan, try new cuisine, and gain a better understanding of the way of life in Korea and their culture in general.
What are my expectations of Korea?
I expect Korea to be a country that is more technologically advanced than Singapore with people who are warm and welcoming.
