I found out about the short-term pop culture experience through an email from 360 International. When I saw the email was for a funded opportunity, I jumped at the chance to apply, as experiencing Korean and Japanese culture has been a lifelong dream of mine.
My expectations of the trip were very high, and I was extremely excited to partake in the experience. In saying that, all my expectations were exceeded. I had the most amazing time, especially in Korea. All the activities were not only fun but highly engaging and informative. A highlight was experiencing the Korean Broadcasting System and learning about its extensive history and role in Korean society, particularly in the reunification of families separated in during the war. KBS was also a full circle moment for me as the Kdramas I had grown up watching on a pirated DVD were produced in the very same building we toured. This moment made me reflect on my upbringing, the past, being there, and the future I could have. All the places we visited not only contribute to the growing and immersive popular culture of both countries but also influence domestic and international sectors of politics, tourism, and the everyday lives of common people.
A big lesson from this trip was that what we see as entertainment is a small part of a bigger picture that involves a growing industry that supports thousands of workers, economic growth, and more.
The language barrier in both countries was definitely challenging, but generally, people were happy to hear that we were trying and accommodating to our broken Korean and Japanese. I noticed that Korean people loved when we would greet, thank, and use simple phrases in Korean. This was extremely encouraging!
My advice to students looking to engage in this programme is to take the big leap! Going overseas can be difficult, and there are some challenges, but these can be overcome. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, experience new things, and meet new people. There is a ton of support out there waiting for you, if only you reach out for it. Trust me, once you’ve experienced this programme, YOU WILL HAVE WITHDRAWS!
Were you satisfied with the cross-cultural experiences this programme provided?
I was extremely satisfied with the cross-cultural experiences that the programme provided. While many of the experiences were uniquely Korean or Japanese, we were able to find links that connected us to the programme and our everyday lives at home. For example, on our tour of Japan’s former capital Kyoto, we noticed the city was culturally preserved and protected. This reminded me of the fight Indigenous peoples have to preserve and protect their culture for all people to enjoy and learn from while incorporating modern technologies and ideologies.
What skills do you think this experience helped you gain, and how so? How might this differ from the experience you could otherwise gain in New Zealand?
The top two skills this experience helped me gain or enhance were problem-solving and independence. While the programme is very prepared and the CRCC Asia team take such good care of the participants, they also give a lot of room for independence and exploration of the host countries. We were allowed to catch trains by ourselves, explore the cities alone, and be independent, and while things didn’t always go right, we learnt how to adapt to a different culture and their societal norms.
Did you encounter any particular challenges in preparing for or during this programme that might be important for future students to be aware of?
I did not encounter any challenges. I felt that the programme was well organised and there was a lot of help!