AnthroScope Korea
Welcome to AnthroScope Korea! Through thoughtful analysis, this blog delves into the lived experiences, identities, and social dynamics of Korean students, both local and abroad, from my own perspective. From the nuanced contrasts between local and boarding school education to cross-cultural identity patterns among Korean students in global contexts, each post aims to uncover the cultural threads that have shaped my experiences in the United States and in Korea.
recent posts
- Do school uniforms symbolize unity at schools in Korea? Does the absence of uniforms in American boarding schools negatively affect the community’s unity? Why?
- Welcome to my Korean Cultural Anthropology Blog!
- Reflect on some cross-cultural faux pas that you have observed or experienced. What is the root cause of these hiccups?
- Which US cultural trait have you gone out of your way to preserve as you go back and forth between Korea and the US? Why? How successful have you been?
- Which Korean cultural trait have you gone out of your way to preserve as you go back and forth between Korea and the US? Why? How successful have you been?
My name is Yoonseo. My friends call me Claire. My 2 names reflect my cultural journey ever since I began attending boarding school in America. I hope you enjoy my blog!
Category: Uncategorized
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A major difference I noticed when I first moved to America was the absence of uniforms. For nine years of my life, from kindergarten onward, I wore a uniform at my Korean international school. Likewise, most Korean local schools require students to wear uniforms. At my international school, the only exception to the school uniform…
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The blog consists of topics addressing the differences and similarities between Korean local students and boarding school students, patterns in identity of Korean boarding school students in comparison to other cultures like Europe, etc.
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Reflecting on my past several years at boarding school, I’ve encountered some cross-cultural faux pas. The broad diversity among the students at my high school has led to several occasions when I took a step back and pondered why such faux pas occur sometimes. My initial observation of a cross-cultural faux pas was specifically between…
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Recently, I discussed some Korean cultural traits I retained while overseas. As much as I focus on maintaining these traits, I also go out of my way to preserve important U.S. cultural traits that I’ve adopted throughout my years of attending boarding school while in Korea. One of several is treating time like gold. I’ve…
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While going back and forth between Korea and the U.S., enjoying Korean food was a key factor in maintaining my cultural connection to my Korean identity. Different types of dishes brought back a variety of old memories, including traditional holidays like the Lunar New Year and dinners with my grandparents. When I first moved to…
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After spending years of my life in the United States, I’ve had some trouble adjusting to a specific Korean cultural practice: using formal speech as I address my elders. With its deep Confucian roots, Korea has long developed a firm age-based social hierarchy in which younger individuals are expected to speak to older individuals using…
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Living in Korea, my daily routine revolved around driving to and from my international school. I entered the single building that contained of all my classrooms. During recess, I would go to the gym’s basketball court to play some volleyball. It was a familiar rhythm within a small, confined space. Once I moved to the…
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Over the years while attending boarding school, I’ve noticed some dissimilarities regarding the cultural baggage different students carry, depending on where they are from. As a Korean boarding student who grew up in South Korea until 7th grade, I’ve noticed the vast difference in academic pressure and expectations. In Korea, many of my friends felt…
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On December 29, 2024, South Korea was shaken by a devastating plane crash at Muan Airport. The aircraft, attempting to land, collided with a concrete wall, resulting in the tragic loss of all 175 passengers and four crew members, leaving only two survivors. The disaster cast a deep shadow over the nation, evoking painful memories…
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The preferred language of Korean boarding and international school students differ. I have noticed the difference after having attended an international school in Korea as well as a boarding school in America. When I attended an international school in Korea, I spoke Korean most of the time. All my friends did too. I was surrounded…
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to wear? Korean or non-Korean brands? What do our fashion choices tell us about our cultural perspectives? Living in different countries truly shapes the difference between what Korean boarding students wear and what international school students wear. I’ve noticed this firsthand. Before I moved to the States for boarding school, I did not have easy…
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Musical tastes have always differed among Korean boarding and international school students. Being at an international school for around 9 years and at boarding school for 4 years now, I’ve definitely noticed the gradual change in my music taste. A few years back, when I was living in Korea and attending an international school, I…
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Through my encounters with other Korean international and boarding school students during my years in the U.S., I’ve observed a direct correlation between Korean students and which foods they prefer to eat. There are two distinct groups among Korean boarding school students; one group tries to eat Korean food at least once a week, and…
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People in Korea tend to view Korean students attending US boarding or international schools (in Korea) differently from students attending mainstream Korean schools. Some use the term “white-washed” to describe a typical student from the States. I know this because I’ve been called this term multiple times. Moreover, during my numerous encounters with people in…
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Pondering upon this question confused me about what it really means to be “Korean.” I am not talking about citizenship papers, but I am contemplating the idea of “Koreanness.” Currently speaking from the perspective of a boarding school kid in the U.S. who has never had a local Korean school experience, I realized that citizenship…
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