Seoul (Day 1)

I arrived at 4:20 a.m.!

Today marks the beginning of my two-week journey through Korean society, culture, and higher education. My fellow Fulbrighters from San Francisco State, Princeton, George Mason, Harper College, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, and NC State and I are based on the Yonsei University campus for our first week in Seoul, South Korea. One of South Korea's top three universities, Yonsei has been a center for East-West dialogue for the past 125 years. It will now be my base of operation for the next six days.

My objective over the next couple of weeks will be to learn more about Korean society and its policies toward higher education. I hope to understand how this national 'economic miracle' will address demographic change (population decline) and 21st century globalization. I furthermore aim to explore local perspectives of the on-going political threat to the north.

I look forward to sharing these thoughts and images with you over the next fortnight. I hope that you will enjoy this virtual journey as I trek among Koreans, their culture, policies, and geographic landscapes.

Eric Spears
Seoul, 13 June 2010