WRITER: MARISSA CHANTAMAS
The Korea field trip program aims at experiencing a new culture, to widen perspectives and to boost morale and encouragement for AU personnel.
Faculty members, staff, and family members joined the Educational Visit to South Korea from May 10 – 14, 2023, as part of the 90th Birthday celebration of President Emeritus, Rev. Bro. Dr. Prathip M. Komolmas. The trip was organized by the Office of the President, under the supervision of the Vice President for University Foresight and Advancement, Associate Professor Dr. Krisana Kitcharoen, with the goal to foster engagement between those working in different areas of the university to strengthen the sense of harmony and cooperation for the continued success of the organization. The itinerary of each day was designed not just for relaxation but included activities that would require collaboration creating opportunities for participants to mingle and better know one another.
The Beginning of the Journey
At Suvarnabhumi Airport
First light in South Korea
At Incheon International Airport
The first day started with a visit to Majang Lake Suspension Bridge where participants enjoyed walking around the serene scenery, which served as a great way to break the ice. The next destination was Pyeonghwa Nuri Park. At this place participants learned more about the Korean War and its consequent impact on the development of South Korea as an economic powerhouse. In addition to learning about the history, participants got to experience authentic Korean cuisine that is enjoyed by the locals, which enabled a better understanding of the lifestyle of the locals.
The first meal is Shabu Shabu or hotpot with fresh meats and vegetables, a menu suitable for the Spring season. Learning about the culture does not stop with the food but also seeing the local residences at the Enpyeong Korea Village. This development is part of the effort of the national government to preserve Korean architecture in the form of living cultural preservation. The highlight of the day is the Gangchon Rail Bike, where participants formed teams of 4 to conquer the 4 km. long path through forests to enjoy the tranquil lakeside scenery.
By the end of the day, the famished participants were treated to Takkalbi, another local cuisine that is truly unique to Korea. For the night the participants stayed at the fabulous Vivaldi Park Ski World Hotel Daemyong. Although it is not the skiing season, the hotel boasts a host of activities and facilities that was truly fascinating showing how the business adapted to the seasonal nature of its main attraction.
The first point of the trip was the Majang Lake Suspension Bridge. It is a 220 meter-long and 1.5 meter-wide suspension bridge, opened in 2017. This suspension bridge has become the landmark of Majang Lake, it's the longest of its kind in Korea, which is the great place for tourists to enjoy the calm and peaceful scenery of the lake.
The second point was the Eunpyeong Hanok Village, it’s a rebuilt traditional Korean village, located in the Eunpyeong district of Seoul, with a mountain background, Bukhansan is regarded as “Lungs of Seoul.” The village established in 2014, the tourists can learn about the history of Korea and eat the local delicious food. The village today is made up of over 150 traditional Korean homes.
The enjoyable experience at Gangchon Rail Park, it’s the largest rail bike course in Korea built on the discontinued train line. The visitors pedal on the 2-4 seater rail bike to enjoy and get an experience with the beautiful atmosphere while the breathtaking mountainous countryside and Bukhan River scenery.
One of the impressive memories and the excitement of this trip was the Soyanggang Skywalk, located in Chuncheon and stretches over Uiamho Lake 174 meters, this makes a skywalk with a transparent glass floor covering 156 meters and is the longest glass in Korea. Creating the illusion of walking on water creates a hair-raising experience for the tourists who get there for the first time.
Day 2 was activity filled no less than the first day, kicking off at Chuncheon Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car, where participants enjoyed the ride and a small hike up the trail to a wonderful viewpoint. Leaving the peaceful countryside, the group headed back to Seoul, where the first destination was the Coex Starfield Library. Here the group got to enjoy and immerse in the blended atmosphere of a shopping mall and a library, two seemingly contradicting elements yet wonderfully harmonized.
Chuncheon Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car
Starfield Library
Jimdak
Shopping
For lunch, another special menu was presented. Jimdak is a special chicken dish that was totally enjoyed by the participants. The afternoon was spent visiting the Skin Care Center, where participants learned about the secret routine that makes Koreans both male and female glow with healthy skin. The highlight of the day is visiting the university area of Hongdae, which is a shopping street popular among teens. This area is populated by both Korean and international brands. It is a lively area where teenagers showcase their talent while shoppers throng the streets looking for fashion items, accessories, and treats.
Dinner was another highlight that many participants were waiting for, the Korean Barbeque. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal and a brief stroll in the area filled with restaurants to observe the Korean, TGIF. For the next two nights, the group would be staying at the Migliore Hotel in Myeongdong, the world-renowned shopping district in the heart of Seoul.
Enjoy new experiences and make memories at Chuncheon Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car, 3.61 km. total, which is the longest in Korea, the new landmark of Chuncheon where mountains, rivers, cityscape, and cultural coexistence. Of course, they must take more pictures to record their memories of this amazing place and view it again when they get back to Thailand. Sure! some of them have posted pictures on their own timelines on various social media.
Starfield Library is a futuristic library & cultural event space on 2 levels of a Coex Mall with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. When you come into this library you would have this question in your mind “How do I reach those books high up on those shelves?” This is your answer “They are real books but only for display.”
Enjoyed an authentic Hanbok-wearing experience at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Palace built in 1395 by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and remains the largest of all five palaces. The pavilion and the pond have remained relatively intact. The raised dais and stone markers showcase the representative art style of their time. Everyone in the tour group changed into Hanboks. Hanbok is traditional Korean clothing which is a winter attire made from cotton woven fabric and long trousers with ankle straps that help in retaining body heat.
At the Seaweed Museum to learn about various stories of applying seaweed and the history of the origin of the Seaweed production. Everyone learnt about Seaweed wrapped rice (KIMPAP) which is a simple dish that Koreans prefer to eat by cooking rice. There was a variety of ingredients Roll into a long stick, then cut into pieces which is mostly applied in a compact size. Koreans tend to eat this dish in a hurry, because it's easy to eat, fast and portable.
