Category: Culture

Tragedy in Morocco, Displacement for the Night in Rabat

Published on by hallieahoffLeave a comment

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There cannot be a post to this site without the full acknowledgment of the lives, families, and homes lost, the people of Morocco who have been displaced, and those in mourning. The continued support from the community of this country has been astonishing to observe. Morocco is truly unique in their culture, one full of amiable people and an attentive, genial nature. These characteristics are nothing but amplified in the wake of the earthquake that has recently struck the Southern half of the country, approximately 44 miles southwest of Marrakesh.

I happened to be with my homestay when we felt the initial shock, ironically the first night I and other students had met and settled in with those same families. The room shook, and some pictures fell, however, overall the structural integrity of the homes in the Medina (a community center in the middle of Rabat) remained intact. Aside from some nervous glances and steadying movements, my new family handled the event with ease, even turning the TV back on afterward in an effort to relax. It was not until a few minutes later the decision was made that the safest space may be outside, in the case of aftershocks or an unseen collapse. That was when the effects of the earthquake truly set in.

The layout of a Medina is important to mention here. It doubles both as a neighborhood and shopping center. Your neighbors in the Medina are not across the street or in your cul-de-sac of two-story homes typical in American suburbia. They are above and below you, where the buildings are built high and vertical and the windows are as tall as the top floor to avoid others walking past and seeing inside. A slight architectural nod to the more conserved nature of Middle Eastern culture. In this multi-block neighborhood enclosed by tall walls that have remained standing since the 17th century, every family knows the next. As I walk with my homestay mother on the first day she says hello to almost everyone on her street, she knows every shopkeeper and cafe owner. To her this is not a tourist destination but her home and multifaceted economy, which she and her neighbors contribute to daily.

We exit our home with others on our street, my new neighbor, Malak, a nine-year-old girl whose English exceeds not only my Arabic but French as well quickly grabs my hand to rush us out of the Medina. Malak is not scared herself but for me; almost as instantaneously as my hand is in hers I am moved to tears by this simple act of courage and selflessness. Malak asks me if I am alright and I return the favor as we exit, only to be met outside by even more people. The entirety of the Medina has gone outside. I look to my left and see a group of women who have set up chairs and are casually chatting in a circle, to my right a man is parading around with Moroccan tea, offering a cup to whoever will have one, occasionally sitting and talking with his customers. Children play games and cardboard mats or rugs are handed out for those who wish to sleep. We were fortunate enough to be far away from the epicenter of the earthquake, but families in Rabat have loved ones who were much closer. After a few hours of sitting outside, when news reaches our city of those who have passed on, you can hear the occasional wailing and sobbing of a woman who has lost a family member. Her neighbors surround her, hugging and wrapping themselves around the one in pain, not at all suffocating, in contrast, it appears they wish to take on some of the pain, some of the loss, in whatever way possible. In all the chaos and fear this community has a characteristic of strength that seems unwavering.

Yes, the culture shock of being somewhere new can be overwhelming, but in that initial experience, there is an opportunity to divulge those emotions and transform them, to find a purpose and contribute to a community that is unlike any I have seen in the United States. I saw that opportunity while sitting with Malak and braiding her hair, how small my challenges seemed in comparison to the challenges these families may face in the coming days. I hope to continue to take those emotions and fears surrounding the unknown and channel them into something new in this unwavering community, to learn from their strength and show my respect in whatever way possible.

More updates and hopefully some in-person community aid to come!

Keep Your Expectations Real While In Korea

Published on by stefaniepaikLeave a comment

While in Korea, I have noticed that many are surprised by the real Korea. Like any other major city; it smells like sewers and there is trash on the streets. From my fellow abroad students, I have learned that they came to Korea with certain expectations. Now that they are here, they feel disappointed and frustrated. For the months that they have prepared, they come here realizing that they are not prepared. I have also noticed that some abroad students live here a little recklessly.

For this blog post, I have decided to write a mini guide on how to keep your expectations realistic while in Korea. That way culture shock is lessened and you will be better prepared to travel to Korea.

Language

While it is not an expectation to speak perfect Korean. It is helpful to know basic phrases. The capital, Seoul, is pretty accommodating to foreigners, especially in neighborhoods like Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Itaewon. Do not get frustrated if you go to a store or restaurant and the employees can’t speak English. There should be no expectation that Korean people speak English. Utilizing apps such as Papago and Google Translate can help in more complex speaking situations. Do not rely on translation apps because they are not always the most accurate. Depending on what you say in English, it could translate into something rude in Korean.

Even learning the basic alphabet can be very helpful, especially in situations where you have to read menus or street signs. There are many books, websites, and even YouTube videos that teach you how to read Korean. Quite literally, you can learn to read Korean in an hour. Compared to other languages, Korean is simple and easy to understand.

No Food Accommodations

Unlike the United States, Korea does not do food accommodations. While it does not hurt to ask, it will be rare for restaurants or cafes to do substitutions or remove items from an order. While I have many examples of me trying to get items removed due to dietary restrictions, one example is when I went to a brunch cafe with some friends. At the cafe, I was ordering for my friends and me. My friend is lactose intolerant and has IBS. So I asked if they could remove the cheese from a sandwich. The cashier said they were unable to remove the cheese because it was premade with cheese.

It is just restaurant culture in Korea to accept the food as it comes. The general consensus is that if you don’t like how it is, order something else or go somewhere else. If you decide to go to Korea, and you have strict dietary restrictions, you have to be very careful of what you choose to eat. If you decide to eat a certain dish, please do your own research on how that dish is prepared. This is because Korean people have a different idea of what diet restrictions are. For example, if you decide to order a soup and ask “Does this have beef?” The employee may say “There is no beef.” So you decide to order it. When you receive your order you realize it is a beef broth. This is a true story from my Aunt who used to be vegan.

Limited Clothing Size

It is common for travelers to decide to buy clothes in Korea. This is understandable because fashion is very prominent in Korea. The Korean fashion wave continues to grow in popularity. An issue many foreigners run into, especially with street clothing stores, is that there is only 1 size for the entire store. To put into perspective what the 1 size is, it is about the equivalent of a woman’s small and men’s M. For both women’s and men’s clothing, the bust (circumference) of the shirts or pants is slim/narrow.

For many of my fellow abroad students, especially the women students, is that they feel a little body dysmorphia. In their home country, they are a size small, but here they are a size extra large.

The reason for this large size difference is due to Korean people, generally, being skinnier and shorter. The other reason is due to Korean extreme beauty standards, which support the notion of skinny = pretty. “If you aren’t skinny, then you aren’t pretty enough to wear these clothes.

If you decide to buy clothes in Korea, please remember that there is nothing wrong with you, it is the fault of Korean Society. Don’t be discouraged from participating in Korean fashion culture! While it is small and scarce, there are various size-inclusive stores in Korea. You just have to do research on where to find them.

Stay Safe!!! (Danger still exists)

Compared to the United States, Korea is a generally safe country. This does not mean Korea is a 100% safe country. Crime is still prevalent and people are still at risk of being harmed. The dangers I will discuss are strangers, clubs, and cars. While there are many other crimes to be knowledgeable of, I feel that these 3 topics are the biggest ones foreigners don’t realize are quite dangerous.

Remember as a kid when adults would tell you to avoid strangers? Well, it still applies in Korea. Cults and kidnappings are serious issues prevalent in Korea. Cults and criminals are more inclined to approach foreigners. If strangers approach you and ask “Where are you going?” “Are you alone?” DON’T let them know that you are alone. I encourage you to lie and tell them you have friends waiting for you. Cults and criminals will look for alone and vulnerable people. So if you are traveling alone, walk to your destination with purpose, and DO NOT talk to strangers.

TRIGGER WARNING (Mention of rape and sexual harassment, please skip to next paragraph if triggering)

Clubs are clubs. They are not the safest place, especially in Korea. Firstly, it is common in Korea to find Korean-only bars. While this is discrimination, it is allowed in Korea. If you decide to go to a foreigner-friendly club or bar, please go with friends and please beware of your surroundings. It is common for women to get drugged and raped. It is more common for women to be touched inappropriately, which is sexual harassment. For clubs, the general consensus is that if you go to a club, you go with the expectation that people will touch you. I personally do not encourage going to clubs or bars because of the potential dangers. There are many other fun things to do in Korea, BUT if you do decide to go, be careful, be vigilant, and go with friends.

Cars in Korea will just drive. Speeding is very common, and getting hit by cars is very common. While Korea is working towards fixing this issue, it is not working. It is the job of the pedestrian to look out for cars. If you are not looking left and right twice, then you will get hurt. Cars are not afraid to get close to pedestrians. This goes for taxis, personal cars, trucks, buses, and everything else that has wheels. So my tips are, look left and right three times and cross the street fast. I have had countless experiences of seeing people almost get hit by cars. Getting hit by a car IS NOT on your Korean bucket list.