여러분 안녕하세요!
¡Hola a todos!
Hello everyone!
Hoy les quiero contar mi experiencia sobre cómo logré estudiar el idioma coreano completamente gratis en Seúl.
Today I want to tell you my experience on how I managed to study the Korean language completely free in Seoul.
Mi plan original era simplemente ir de turista a Seúl por tres meses, tomarme las cosas tranquilamente y, claro está, disfrutar del tiempo junto a mi persona favorita. Sin embargo, se me presentó una oportunidad increíble para poder estudiar coreano gratis y no pude evitar tomarla. Antes de mi viaje ya habíamos considerado que estudiara coreano durante mi estancia, lamentablemente las clases son bastante costosas, tanto en Universidades como en academias privadas. Este era un gasto que no nos podíamos permitir por el momento, así que tuvimos que descartar esa idea.
My original plan was simply to go on a tourist trip to Seoul for three months, take it easy and, of course, enjoy the time with my favorite person. However, I was presented with an incredible opportunity to study Korean for free and I couldn't help taking it. Before my trip we had already considered that I studied Korean during my stay, unfortunately the classes are quite expensive, both in Universities and in private academies. This was an expense that we could not afford at the moment, so we had to discard that idea.
My original plan was simply to go on a tourist trip to Seoul for three months, take it easy and, of course, enjoy the time with my favorite person. However, I was presented with an incredible opportunity to study Korean for free and I couldn't help taking it. Before my trip we had already considered that I studied Korean during my stay, unfortunately the classes are quite expensive, both in Universities and in private academies. This was an expense that we could not afford at the moment, so we had to discard that idea.
Durante mi investigación sobre distintas Universidades y academias, me encontré también con diversos centros gubernamentales ubicados en Seúl. Estos se ocupan de brindar servicios y programas para abordar las necesidades y los problemas que enfrentan los residentes extranjeros mientras viven en Corea. Se denominan “Global Village Center” y en Seúl podemos encontrar 8 ubicaciones: Geumcheon, Ichon, Itaewon, Seongbuk, Seorae, Seoul, Yeoksam y Yeonnam.
During my research on different universities and academies, I also found several government centers located in Seoul. These are responsible for providing services and programs to address the needs and problems faced by foreign residents while living in Korea. They are called “Global Village Center” and in Seoul we can find 8 locations: Geumcheon, Ichon, Itaewon, Seongbuk, Seorae, Seoul, Yeoksam and Yeonnam.
Sin embargo, normalmente en estos centros solamente se aceptan a extranjeros con residencia permanente en Corea. Inclusive como requisito para el registro de las clases se pide presentar una identificación como pasaporte o alien registration card y se excluyen a extranjeros con visas de turistas (C-3). Razón por la cual consideré que esta opción no sería adecuada para mi.
However, normally in these centers only foreigners with permanent residence in Korea are accepted. Even as a requirement for class registration, it is requested to present an identification such as passport or alien registration card and foreigners with tourist visas (C-3) are excluded. Reason why I considered that this option would not be suitable for me.
During my research on different universities and academies, I also found several government centers located in Seoul. These are responsible for providing services and programs to address the needs and problems faced by foreign residents while living in Korea. They are called “Global Village Center” and in Seoul we can find 8 locations: Geumcheon, Ichon, Itaewon, Seongbuk, Seorae, Seoul, Yeoksam and Yeonnam.
Sin embargo, normalmente en estos centros solamente se aceptan a extranjeros con residencia permanente en Corea. Inclusive como requisito para el registro de las clases se pide presentar una identificación como pasaporte o alien registration card y se excluyen a extranjeros con visas de turistas (C-3). Razón por la cual consideré que esta opción no sería adecuada para mi.
However, normally in these centers only foreigners with permanent residence in Korea are accepted. Even as a requirement for class registration, it is requested to present an identification such as passport or alien registration card and foreigners with tourist visas (C-3) are excluded. Reason why I considered that this option would not be suitable for me.
Mientras me encontraba esperando que mi vuelo partiera de la Ciudad de México al aeropuerto de Incheon, vi una publicación que captó mi atención, era de la página de Facebook de Seorae Global Village Center, dónde anunciaban las inscripciones para sus clases de coreano. Como no tenía nada que perder, decidí leer la convocatoria y me llevé una gran sorpresa al ver que como requisito no pedían ser un residente permanente. En ese momento sentí un rayito de esperanza, aunque no quería hacerme muchas ilusiones, sabía que probablemente me solicitarian una identificación o el cupo estaría lleno, porque solo faltaban un par de días para el cierre de la convocatoria.
While I was waiting for my flight to depart from Mexico City to Incheon airport, I saw a post that caught my attention, it was from the Seorae Global Village Center Facebook page, where they announced the registration for their Korean classes. As I had nothing to lose, I decided to read the announcement and I was very surprised to see that as a requirement they did not ask to be a permanent resident. At that moment I felt a ray of hope, although I did not want to get my hopes up, I knew that they would probably ask me for an identification or the space would be full, because there were only a couple of days left before the closing of the announcement.
While I was waiting for my flight to depart from Mexico City to Incheon airport, I saw a post that caught my attention, it was from the Seorae Global Village Center Facebook page, where they announced the registration for their Korean classes. As I had nothing to lose, I decided to read the announcement and I was very surprised to see that as a requirement they did not ask to be a permanent resident. At that moment I felt a ray of hope, although I did not want to get my hopes up, I knew that they would probably ask me for an identification or the space would be full, because there were only a couple of days left before the closing of the announcement.
Una de las primeras cosas que hice al llegar a Seúl fue llenar el formulario de inscripción y enviar un correo electrónico solicitando mi admisión. Dos días después recibí un correo por parte del centro, en donde con gusto confirmaban mi inscripción al curso, incluso se me informó que mi lugar era el último asiento que les quedaba para la clase de principiantes.
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Seoul was to fill out the registration form and send an email requesting my admission. Two days later I received an email from the center, where they gladly confirmed my enrollment in the course, I was even informed that my place was the last seat they had left for the beginners class.
One of the first things I did when I arrived in Seoul was to fill out the registration form and send an email requesting my admission. Two days later I received an email from the center, where they gladly confirmed my enrollment in the course, I was even informed that my place was the last seat they had left for the beginners class.
¡Y así fue como comencé mis clases de coreano en Seúl!
And that's how I started my Korean classes in Seoul!
Mis clases eran solamente los martes y jueves de 10:30 AM a 12:00 PM. Aún así, en el transcurso de 11 semanas, logré aprender mucho de los básicos del idioma, desde aprender a leer y escribir hangul hasta saber leer la hora en coreano. En realidad es un curso muy ligero y tranquilo, nada comparado con las clases intensivas que se dan en las Universidades. No obstante, fue de muchísima utilidad para hacer de mi estancia en Corea más placentera.
My classes were only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Even so, over the course of 11 weeks, I learned a lot about the basics of the language, from learning to read and writing Hangul to knowing how to read the time in Korean. Actually it is a very light and relaxed course, nothing compared to the intensive classes that are given in the Universities. However, it was very useful to help make my stay in Korea more pleasant.
My classes were only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Even so, over the course of 11 weeks, I learned a lot about the basics of the language, from learning to read and writing Hangul to knowing how to read the time in Korean. Actually it is a very light and relaxed course, nothing compared to the intensive classes that are given in the Universities. However, it was very useful to help make my stay in Korea more pleasant.
Seorae Global Village Center está ubicado en la comunidad francesa de Seúl, por lo cual tienen mayor contacto con extranjeros franceses. Tienen librerías llenas de películas en francés y los encargados igualmente pueden comunicarse en ese idioma. Razón por la cual la mitad de mi salón de clases era originario de Francia o sabían hablar francés. Entablé una muy buena relación con mis compañeros e igualmente con mi maestra, que es un amor de persona, siempre dandonos consejos super útiles o datos curiosos sobre la vida diaria en Corea.
Seorae Global Village Center is located in the French community of Seoul, so they have greater contact with French foreigners. They have libraries full of films in French and those in charge can also communicate in that language. Reason why half of my classroom was originally from France or knew how to speak French. I established a very good relationship with my classmates and also with my teacher, who is a lovable person, always giving us super useful advice or curious facts about daily life in Korea.
Seorae Global Village Center is located in the French community of Seoul, so they have greater contact with French foreigners. They have libraries full of films in French and those in charge can also communicate in that language. Reason why half of my classroom was originally from France or knew how to speak French. I established a very good relationship with my classmates and also with my teacher, who is a lovable person, always giving us super useful advice or curious facts about daily life in Korea.
Trasladarme desde nuestro departamento tomaba aproximadamente una hora con 15 minutos. Me quedaba un poco retirado, pero el metro cruzaba el río Han, no podía evitar quedarme viéndolo anonadada y eso hacía que el largo camino valiera absolutamente la pena. Desde la estación de Express Bus Terminal (고속터미널) tenía que caminar cerca de 20 minutos para llegar a mi salon de clases, pero estaba fascinada con los paisajes cotidianos de Seúl. Toda mi vida he vivido en el caluroso desierto, así que por primera vez experimenté lo que fue un otoño e invierno de verdad. Yo estaba fascinada viendo como las hojas de los árboles cambiaban paulatinamente de color y posteriormente comenzaban a caerse.
Moving from our apartment took about an hour and 15 minutes. I was a little far away, but the subway crossed the Han River and I couldn't help but look stunned and that made the long road absolutely worth it. From the Express Bus Terminal (고속 터미널) station I had to walk about 20 minutes to get to my classroom, but I was fascinated with the everyday landscapes of Seoul. All my life I have lived in the hot desert, so for the first time I experienced what a real autumn and winter was like. I was fascinated watching the leaves of the trees change color gradually and then began to fall.
Moving from our apartment took about an hour and 15 minutes. I was a little far away, but the subway crossed the Han River and I couldn't help but look stunned and that made the long road absolutely worth it. From the Express Bus Terminal (고속 터미널) station I had to walk about 20 minutes to get to my classroom, but I was fascinated with the everyday landscapes of Seoul. All my life I have lived in the hot desert, so for the first time I experienced what a real autumn and winter was like. I was fascinated watching the leaves of the trees change color gradually and then began to fall.
Debo aclarar que mi caso es especial y que tuve mucha suerte al poder llevar clases de coreano gratis. Si hubiese tenido la solvencia económica suficiente para pagar los cursos en una Universidad o si mi vuelo no se hubiese retrasado por aproximadamente 2 horas, probablemente jamás hubiese visto el anuncio de la convocatoria y además tener la fortuna de ser aceptada. Quizá mi caso no sea de gran ayuda para otros turistas que igualmente desean estudiar coreano, pero probablemente pueda ser de ayuda para extranjeros residentes en Corea que desconozcan de la existencia de estos centros gubernamentales.
I must clarify that my case is special and that I was very lucky to be able to take free Korean classes. If I had enough financial solvency to pay for courses at a University or if my flight had not been delayed for approximately 2 hours, I would probably have never seen the announcement and also have the fortune to be accepted. My case may not be of great help to other tourists who also want to study Korean, but it can probably be of help to foreigners residing in Korea who are unaware of the existence of these government centers.
Esto es todo por la entrada de hoy, como siempre espero que se encuentren muy bien y les deseo un bonito día.
This is all for today's blog post, as always I hope you are very well and I wish you a nice day.
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