As I am delivering a course from an Australian training organisation there is a section on Occupational Health and Safety. Teachers, facilitators and trainers in Australia have a duty of care for their students and fellow workers, so it is mandatory that certain conditions be met.
We need to advice students about the toilet facilities (where they are), what to do in case of emergency - usually there are posters giving information on emergency numbers, who the qualified first aider is, where the first aid kit is, and so on.
I know in China that this information was not anything of concern to the authorities in our college. And so it is here in Korea, though I have an obligation to address this. Not only for my students' safety, but for my own.
It was an interesting exercise. Two students were sent to enquire in the building, which has security guards, to find out where a first aid kit was, and what other information was available. They returned with a hastily made first aid kit (or at least an empty box done up with a red cross and sign - First Aid Kit.) Later a guard appeared with a bottle of Iodine, as my students had told that someone was injured.
It has been an interesting exercise - and I think there will be some schools here that will consider the safety of their students a little more. It appears that no one knows first aid, and that there is an opportunity for first aid training.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Customer Service
Can I suggest that anyone who wants to see quality customer service that they come to Korea? In the short time I have been here, I have witnessed extra ordinary customer service. A visit to a major shopping complex - one with major supermarket etc. And the staff are not as pushy as in China.
I watch in awe at the uniformed car parking attendance in the shopping complexes. Sure, parking is at a premium - too many cars and a small space, but one does not have to drive around looking for a spot to park the car. The attendants know - and with white gloved arms direct you to the vacant spots. And send you on with a bow! Now I like that!
We went into a food court where one again you could see the Korean's dedication to customer service. Well dressed sales attendants stood waiting for customers, and their assistance was a pleasure to watch. Very helpful, and without being pushy. Even if you did not purchase, they would thank you with a bow.
I like that. It looked wonderful. I did not see at any time (and I know it was a short visit) spending any time texting or speaking on their cell phones.
I watch in awe at the uniformed car parking attendance in the shopping complexes. Sure, parking is at a premium - too many cars and a small space, but one does not have to drive around looking for a spot to park the car. The attendants know - and with white gloved arms direct you to the vacant spots. And send you on with a bow! Now I like that!
We went into a food court where one again you could see the Korean's dedication to customer service. Well dressed sales attendants stood waiting for customers, and their assistance was a pleasure to watch. Very helpful, and without being pushy. Even if you did not purchase, they would thank you with a bow.
I like that. It looked wonderful. I did not see at any time (and I know it was a short visit) spending any time texting or speaking on their cell phones.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
First Class
For any teacher the first class of the series comes with it's share of butterflies flying out of formation, and when it is a country that you have only spent three days in, and you don't know your classroom, your students or how many there are, and their standard of English - the stress is high.
My first day in the classroom at Woosuk Unviersity is over. And we all survived, despite the dramas. For a start had only heard that the principal of the organisation was going to speak. He didn't, but his partner did. And some principal from the university. And then without warning I was asked to speak, which I did, but then we had to wait for the Pastor.
Korea is a very religious country and most are Christians. All around are buildings with a red crucifix on the top. Churches. Anyway, eventually four people from the church arrived and bless the students, the course and the teacher.
The first hour of my planning was blown out the water. Oh, well.
Anyway the day went quite well - every one was happy and I was exhausted. They took me to lunch and to dinner. Oh, how the Koreans love to eat. And sent me home with a bucket of Baskin and Robbins icecream. I'm full.
Now I can rest. I don't have a class until tomorrow night. I'll sleep well tonight.
My first day in the classroom at Woosuk Unviersity is over. And we all survived, despite the dramas. For a start had only heard that the principal of the organisation was going to speak. He didn't, but his partner did. And some principal from the university. And then without warning I was asked to speak, which I did, but then we had to wait for the Pastor.
Korea is a very religious country and most are Christians. All around are buildings with a red crucifix on the top. Churches. Anyway, eventually four people from the church arrived and bless the students, the course and the teacher.
The first hour of my planning was blown out the water. Oh, well.
Anyway the day went quite well - every one was happy and I was exhausted. They took me to lunch and to dinner. Oh, how the Koreans love to eat. And sent me home with a bucket of Baskin and Robbins icecream. I'm full.
Now I can rest. I don't have a class until tomorrow night. I'll sleep well tonight.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Walking alone in Korea
Looking up the street from the door of my apartment
Looking down the street from my apartment
The entrance to my apartment - the bars are on the window of my kitchen.It is about 10 minutes away through narrow and quite busy streets - just cars trying to squeeze through the parked cars on the narrow roads. Sometimes - no, often - the cars have to jockey for position as in many streets there is only room for one way traffic.
And guess what! Within seconds of my apartment I can get a Domino's Pizza - actually they will deliver it to me. Baskin and Robbins, The Athlete's Foot, and many more familiar names abound around here.
I managed to walk from my apartment, past Kids Club, and down to the river (which is rather empty at the moment), and then back to Kids Club, and walked back home again.
The Koreans are mad golfers and seconds away from the apartment is a huge driving range. This towers above many of the buildings here, and is a good place to see to get my bearings around town.
Quiet day
After all the hustle and bustle of the last few days and because I have to prepare for a long day tomorrow, I've chosen to stay home today. I also have a rotten cold and I'm trying to get myself better for tomorrow.
I've been working all day on the computer with slight interruptions to answer emails etc. I've sent out several asking things and have had no reply.
I didn't bring an Internet cable with me, but a guy was organised to get me one, and a printer. I like having my own resources printed, and without a printer attached to my laptop it is hard. It all cost more than I thought, but most of it will be reimbursed anyway. I went to cook some bacon for breakfast, but I can't operate the gas stove. I thought if I kept trying I'd gas myself, so I'll try later, and I will venture outside soon as I do have a few things to pick up in readiness for tomorrow.
It is a cool day - around 9 degrees, but I do not feel it here in my cosy apartment. I had a shower in the bathroom but as there is no shower cubicle the whole room is wet, and I have no mop. I have no slippers. I have a long shopping list and it will have to wait until next week, although all the supermarkets are open 24 hours. I just don't trust my sense of direction yet, so will manage somehow.
Somethings I will have to get used to. I have washing machine, (that I cannot operate) and anyway there is no where to hang clothes, I have a wardrobe but no hangers, I have a fry pan but can't cook (until I learn about the gas), and I have a hag of rubbish that I don't know how to get rid of, and so on. All the joys of trying to work out a new country's ways.
I turned on the television last night - there are many many stations - in Korean - but I kept switching and eventually came across The Discovery Channel. What a discovery. The program was all about UFO's and was interesting, but it was just good to hear English!
So far though I am impressed with everything and when I have all my resources (here and for the classroom) I will be happy!
The weather will warm up soon, and I will be glad of the air conditioner maybe, but now it is quite cool.
I will get a meal or two delivered to my apartment tonight - so that I can eat in again, and maybe save some for tomorrow night as I will be quite knackered then. I have not taken many photos yet - next week I'll get out and about.
I've been working all day on the computer with slight interruptions to answer emails etc. I've sent out several asking things and have had no reply.
I didn't bring an Internet cable with me, but a guy was organised to get me one, and a printer. I like having my own resources printed, and without a printer attached to my laptop it is hard. It all cost more than I thought, but most of it will be reimbursed anyway. I went to cook some bacon for breakfast, but I can't operate the gas stove. I thought if I kept trying I'd gas myself, so I'll try later, and I will venture outside soon as I do have a few things to pick up in readiness for tomorrow.
It is a cool day - around 9 degrees, but I do not feel it here in my cosy apartment. I had a shower in the bathroom but as there is no shower cubicle the whole room is wet, and I have no mop. I have no slippers. I have a long shopping list and it will have to wait until next week, although all the supermarkets are open 24 hours. I just don't trust my sense of direction yet, so will manage somehow.
Somethings I will have to get used to. I have washing machine, (that I cannot operate) and anyway there is no where to hang clothes, I have a wardrobe but no hangers, I have a fry pan but can't cook (until I learn about the gas), and I have a hag of rubbish that I don't know how to get rid of, and so on. All the joys of trying to work out a new country's ways.
I turned on the television last night - there are many many stations - in Korean - but I kept switching and eventually came across The Discovery Channel. What a discovery. The program was all about UFO's and was interesting, but it was just good to hear English!
So far though I am impressed with everything and when I have all my resources (here and for the classroom) I will be happy!
The weather will warm up soon, and I will be glad of the air conditioner maybe, but now it is quite cool.
I will get a meal or two delivered to my apartment tonight - so that I can eat in again, and maybe save some for tomorrow night as I will be quite knackered then. I have not taken many photos yet - next week I'll get out and about.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
First Impressions!
Well, I've been here for less than 24 hours, so it really is a first impression. The city is rather quieter than I imagined and as it is just after winter, the spring flowers are about to erupt. I've seen some magnolia flowers, and a little cherry blossom, but it will realy be in full swing in a few weeks time.
The traffic is interesting. The motorways are busy with quite polite drivers everywhere. And quiet too. (No continual honking of horns as in China!). In this city the roads are narrow - and most only have room for one car to travel one way, so there is some interesting shuffling and parking.
The supermarket was huge and busy - but we had such a quick visit that I will tell more later. (After I have been again!)
What is amazing is the bowing. For example as we arrived at the supermarket there were many young people in uniform as traffic wardens, and they bowed to welcome us to the store. There is a lot of bowing! When we left the supermarket the same uniformed wardens bowed "to thank us for shopping there" I was told.
Everywhere people are bowing at others "as a courtesy".
The skies are blue, but there is a constant haze on the horizon. Pollution? Not really I am told - but it looked like smoke.
Food? - what a variety of fresh interesting food. Can't wait to have a slow tour of the supermarket! Very good looking meat and there's a variety of cheese too.
The people have been every so friendly. Just wonderful in fact. Overwhelming.
But things are different. I'm glad I brought sheets with me and my towel. Neither are used here very much. Taking shoes off before going into rooms/apartments is common and will be hard to get used to. The heating is from under the floor too. I don't know how it works but I have a control. The bathroom is a treat - there is a shower rose but no shower cubicle. So when I shower the whole room will be flooded. The whole apartment is rather tiny - but I do have a double bed, a small table and four chairs, and a tv which is only in Korean I think. I have cupboards, and a small fridge. New saucepans and one cup, and no glasses.
I have worked out how to use everything I think - although the washing machine will be a challenge. I can put that off for a few days.
I am on what we would call the first floor, and it is in a quiet suburb. I don't know my address yet, but can find it if I did not stray too far from here.
Interesting. Interesting.
The traffic is interesting. The motorways are busy with quite polite drivers everywhere. And quiet too. (No continual honking of horns as in China!). In this city the roads are narrow - and most only have room for one car to travel one way, so there is some interesting shuffling and parking.
The supermarket was huge and busy - but we had such a quick visit that I will tell more later. (After I have been again!)
What is amazing is the bowing. For example as we arrived at the supermarket there were many young people in uniform as traffic wardens, and they bowed to welcome us to the store. There is a lot of bowing! When we left the supermarket the same uniformed wardens bowed "to thank us for shopping there" I was told.
Everywhere people are bowing at others "as a courtesy".
The skies are blue, but there is a constant haze on the horizon. Pollution? Not really I am told - but it looked like smoke.
Food? - what a variety of fresh interesting food. Can't wait to have a slow tour of the supermarket! Very good looking meat and there's a variety of cheese too.
The people have been every so friendly. Just wonderful in fact. Overwhelming.
But things are different. I'm glad I brought sheets with me and my towel. Neither are used here very much. Taking shoes off before going into rooms/apartments is common and will be hard to get used to. The heating is from under the floor too. I don't know how it works but I have a control. The bathroom is a treat - there is a shower rose but no shower cubicle. So when I shower the whole room will be flooded. The whole apartment is rather tiny - but I do have a double bed, a small table and four chairs, and a tv which is only in Korean I think. I have cupboards, and a small fridge. New saucepans and one cup, and no glasses.
I have worked out how to use everything I think - although the washing machine will be a challenge. I can put that off for a few days.
I am on what we would call the first floor, and it is in a quiet suburb. I don't know my address yet, but can find it if I did not stray too far from here.
Interesting. Interesting.
Arrived in Korea
Well - here I am. Korean Airlines safely transported me from Brisbane to Seoul - a long ten hour flight, that apart from the length of time, and the fact that I could no see the television/movie screen _which didn't really bother me, all was well. Food OK - service good.
I must say when I arrived at checkin at Brisbane, with my two cartons of books I nearly freaked at the cost of the excess luggage - over $A900! Thank goodness for credit cards! As it turns out, they reduced it somewhat - for reasons I don't know, but am very grateful, they reduced it to $330! Still a lot of money.
When I arrived at Incheon (Seoul's International Airport) I went through customs without any delay and soon arrived a the arrival hall. Huge. As I expected. But no welcoming party.
Mmmmm. It had occured to me that this might happen - and I was prepared to go to a local hotel, but soon the guy I was expecting arrived. He really only was a couple of minutes late.
He, and another guy and a lovely young lady "collected" me, and took me to the car. By this stage fatigue had really set in, and my cold had freshened, so I was a bit "challenged" to say the least.
It was dusk as we set out on the highway, and soon dark, so there was little to see. The high rise buildings on either side of the highway soon disappeared and we travelled through mountains, through huge long tunnels, and on to our destination.
The guys kept asking if I was hungry - which I wasn't, but in the end we stopped at a roadside place with lots of fast food. I had some noodles and something - I don't know, nor care, what it was but it was OK.
We arrived at my home for the next 10 weeks - a small apartment that I will describe later. How knackered I was. By eyes were streaming, and my cough was persistent. I unpacked a few essentials, made my bed and fell into a deep sleep in an instant.
I must say when I arrived at checkin at Brisbane, with my two cartons of books I nearly freaked at the cost of the excess luggage - over $A900! Thank goodness for credit cards! As it turns out, they reduced it somewhat - for reasons I don't know, but am very grateful, they reduced it to $330! Still a lot of money.
When I arrived at Incheon (Seoul's International Airport) I went through customs without any delay and soon arrived a the arrival hall. Huge. As I expected. But no welcoming party.
Mmmmm. It had occured to me that this might happen - and I was prepared to go to a local hotel, but soon the guy I was expecting arrived. He really only was a couple of minutes late.
He, and another guy and a lovely young lady "collected" me, and took me to the car. By this stage fatigue had really set in, and my cold had freshened, so I was a bit "challenged" to say the least.
It was dusk as we set out on the highway, and soon dark, so there was little to see. The high rise buildings on either side of the highway soon disappeared and we travelled through mountains, through huge long tunnels, and on to our destination.
The guys kept asking if I was hungry - which I wasn't, but in the end we stopped at a roadside place with lots of fast food. I had some noodles and something - I don't know, nor care, what it was but it was OK.
We arrived at my home for the next 10 weeks - a small apartment that I will describe later. How knackered I was. By eyes were streaming, and my cough was persistent. I unpacked a few essentials, made my bed and fell into a deep sleep in an instant.
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