By Julius John LWENJE (2011, MPP, Tanzania)

Mr Park’s farm is located in Ulsan City, about eighty minutes drive from the KDI School. My friend Boo Kyong John (2009 MFDI, Korea) arranged everything with her friend Betty Park, Mr Park’s daughter. On the morning of May 15 when we were leaving our dormitory, neither I nor my companions Severin Kapinga (2011 MPP, Tanzania) and Rauhiya Gharib (2011 MPP, Tanzania) knew where we were going. Our driver told us that Ulsan city is located on the West side of Seoul.

After a comfortable journey we arrived at our destination. We were kindly welcomed by Betty, who introduced us to her parents, Mr Geung Jae Park and Mrs Song Hun Jung, and her elder brother Hong. Their two dogs, Pok and One, kept on barking at us as if we were hijacking their masters. This charming family led us to a tent, made especially for our visit.

As the table was being prepared for lunch, Mr Park took us around his farm. Though it was dominantly a plum farm, a variety of vegetables were being raised as well, ranging from familiar onions, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, pumpkins and chicory to exotic Sangchu, Kkennip and Sukkat. The family has owned the farm for three years now since Mr. Park retired as a chemist. Rather ironically, the ex-chemist proudly informed us that he only uses organic fertilizer.

By the time we finished touring the farm, the dining table was flooded with so many plates of varying sizes that one could have interpreted the scene as the family hosting a King. Hong was still busy barbequing beef. We happily feasted our eyes, noses and stomachs with raw vegetables while rolling down juicy chunks of meat and gourmet soup. Probably the best way to express how delicious everything was is that it was mashisayo.

When we had reluctantly decided to stop eating the ever tempting food, it became windy outside. We moved inside the green house only to be additionally served with fruits. Though every one of us claimed to be full, no one had the audacity to resists the temptation of the mouth-watering, freshly picked fruit. As we ate, we chatted on various issues concerning Korea and Tanzania. Our hosts were eager to know more about Tanzania, for whom we were ready to provide detailed information.

At 04:40 PM we agreed that it was time we started our journey back. We thanked our host for their genuine generosity. They were kind enough to tell us we were welcome anytime we wish to visit the farm again. We bade them farewell as they saw us off with the two dogs in their arms. With the whole family waving at us, the vehicle gradually picked up speed. It was the best of our days in Korea!

Chanida Inpa (2011 MPP/ED, Thailand)

 I went on home visiting with Sopheak Chhim (2011 MPP/PM, Cambodia) on May 14th. Our host was Juhee Park, an intern in the Academic Affairs Division. She took us on a tour to Seoul World Cup Stadium and Namsan Tower before heading for her home.

I was touched by the kindness of our host. The hospitality was not only extended in the nice places Juhee took us around but also and most abundantly witnessed in the generosity of her mother who prepared us delicious Korean food. Since the three of us are from different countries, the visit gave us an opportunity to share our life experiences and cultures. It was full of fun.

What made another lasting impression on me was to have learned that the Koreans are very social and unreserved. We saw a lot of young couples openly express their love by publicly holding and cuddling each other; this is something that I was not used to in Thailand.

Oygula Shuhratovna Ashurova (2011 MPP/PM, Uzbekistan)

I took part in the program with Anthony Volimirovich Tsoy (2011 MPP, Kyrgyzstan). Our host was Miss Sujin Kang from the Student Affairs Division. The moment I set foot on Miss Kang’s place, I realized I was imagining Korean homes in a very different way. I was expecting to see traditionally decorated home with short or rather small table in the middle of the sitting room, but we were ushered into a modern, amazingly designed home. Miss Kang’s mother had us experience an unforgettably special display of Korean cuisine. We really felt at home.

Later on, Miss Kang played a piano for us. She was such a wonderful pianist. The sweet melody reminded me how my mom used to force me to attend music school during my childhood. Although I had not played a piano since I graduated, at Miss Kang’s insistence I laid my hands on the piano, only to realize that I haven’t forgotten much despite the long hiatus.

 After enjoying a wonderful time with Miss Kang’s family, we went to attend the international food festival that was taking place near the City Hall. We took our host to the places where our countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz, were exhibiting traditional food and souvenirs. Suddenly, the day has turned itself into a cultural exchange day!

Jeanne d’Arc Umulisa (2011 MPP/ED, Rwanda)

My home visiting program partner was Nailia Ismayilova (2011 MPP, Azerbaijan) and Waode Diah Anjani (2011 MPP, Indonesia). We were hosted by Mikyung Song (2011 MPP, Korea). Our host guided us to the Korea National Assembly, Sky Museum and many other places. We also visited the home of our host where we chatted, ate Korean food, and shared our little daily stories. It was a stimulating, refreshing day; we enjoyed every single moment of our program.

Before attending the program I had very limited knowledge about Korean family life, as well as Korean people’s hospitality, generosity and friendliness. Some people think that living a busy life here in a big city where everything is PALLI PALLI undermines social values. As busy as they are, however, people can still be brilliantly social and find tremendous pleasure in each other’s society.