South Korea

Open and direct communication is common between parents and children, and taking part in discussions to share your opinion will be highly valued. Respect for privacy is highly appreciated and seen as a sign of affection. Korean parents are quite cautious about their children’s school results and spare time activities, and you should always ask for permission and include your host parents before making decisions. Plan on spending some leisure time with your family at family dinners and watching popular TV talk-shows and games.

Korean school system is quite competitive and very demanding. South Korea’s education system is technologically very advanced: This is the world’s first country to bring high-speed fibre-optic broadband internet access to every primary and secondary school nationwide. Using this infrastructure, the country has developed the first digital textbooks in the world. The school year begins in February and ends in December. A typical day of school begins at 8 am and ends at 5 pm, but most students stay at school or go to a study room to study until 11 pm or even later. Schools usually teach Korean history, music, math, science and other subjects, but you can also study Korean language. Students wear uniforms in school and are expected to help clean the school after classes end.

The main language spoken is Korean, and it helps to have previous knowledge of the language before your exchange. Having a basic knowledge of English will be helpful.

A traditional Korean meal consists of a bowl of rice or noodles, a bowl of soup or stew and side dishes. Side dishes are mostly vegetables, steamed or boiled, roasted meat, stir-fried and pan-fried food. One of the most popular side dishes is kimchi , a spicy pickled cabbage. Korean food tends to be very spicy. In most Korean families, breakfast is served and eaten at home. Lunch will be at school and dinner is often eaten outside the home: at a restaurant or school. Family dining communal style is common: Everyone is served an individual bowl of rice and shares meat and vegetable dishes placed in the center of the table.