April 7-19, 2009

The 2009 Spring Fellowship in Korean Studies took place from April 7 through 19 in Korea. A group of nine American educators—composed of classroom teachers, social studies coordinators, specialists from state departments of education, university professors and a history project site director—participated in the program. Upon arriving in Seoul, the group's first stop was the Academy of Korean Studies. The Academy, which housed the fellows in its sisupje (guest house), served as a gateway for the group's exploration of Seoul as well as its understanding of Korean culture. During the first three days of the trip, the participants alternated between on-campus lectures, given by some of the most renowned professors in Korea on topics ranging from current events in Korea to the history of the Koryŏ Kingdom, and field trips to locations in downtown Seoul, including the National Museum of Korea and Kyŏngbok Palace. The fellows also took a day trip to visit Suri Middle School to learn about the Korean education system firsthand. The fellows then traveled beyond the capital to visit historical, cultural, and religious sites throughout the rest of the country. On April 12, the group left for Ch'ŏngju where the fellows visited the Early Printing Museum, as well as to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute in Taejŏn. A visit to Haeinsa marked the highlight of the program as the participants were allowed to participate in traditional Buddhist ceremonies. On April 15, the fellows visited Yangdong Village, a historic village that demonstrates how Koreans lived during the Chosŏn period, and discussed it with the clan elder. The group spent the last few days touring around historical sites in Kyŏngju, including Najŏng, Onung, Aryŏngjung, and Hwangnyongsa, as well as the famous Sŏkkuram Grotto and Pulguksa. On the last day of the group's stay in Kyŏngju, the fellows climbed Namsan and returned to Seoul for a farewell dinner. The group departed for America on April 19.