Days 12-15 - Week 2 of POSCO

We've begun to settle into our new roles as interns and become accustomed to daily procedures at POSCO.  Our schedules are pretty much fixed as we arrive, work, have lunch with our office groups, work some more and then go back home, right across the street.  I think I can't say too much about what it is that we actually do, due to security reasons, but suffice it to say that it's interesting, and not too difficult.

As my first internship, it goes pretty well.  The only thing is, I wish I had learned at least some Korean before I arrived, as everyone speaks it all the time.  Well, obviously, you say, but sometimes the mentors and supervisors will address you, and that's the only time they speak English.  This leads sometimes to a little feeling of loneliness and being left out, since everyone seems so happy.  The employees are so nice, and don't leave us out on purpose, but since it is, well, Korea, there is definitely a language barrier.  On the bright side, I've learned a few useful phrases, including, "말 못해요, Hanguk mal moteyo," or "I cannot speak Korean."  It's come in handy a few times!  Also, bowing and politely greeting someone always works :)  At least, until they give you a fast stream of Korean and you stammer out that you can't speak Korean...  Our mentors and supervisors, at least, can actually speak English quite well, which is immensely helpful when asking for assignments and feedback.  It's just a little awkward during social situations like meals and teatime.


Oh, well.  The next time I hop to another country, I'll start with some language lessons  :)  


I did finally mange to take a photo of a POSCO building.  I believe this is allowed since it's a view from off the POSCO "campus" and only of the outside, which is visible from the SUNY Korea (officially, Songdo Global University Campus) Student Housing B.  We actually live in Student Housing A, but I took this photo right outside of B.

I love the look of the buildings and the grounds.  They are neat and well cared-for, with a beauty
that reminds me of a quiet university campus, dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.

That's really about it!  Our days are simple and quite pleasant.  Here, look, I took a picture of a local plant :)

In the Songdo Street Mall, or the shopping district we frequent.

It looks a lot like the juniper which grows abundantly on the Stony Brook University campus.  It always amused me that juniper berries were used to flavor gin and grew in a place where society tells us that alcohol is prevalent (college = drinking and parties, or so the movies say... funny that you never see the hours of studying, but I suppose those aren't as exciting).  On the other hand, it's also commonly used as a spice for meats and water, and widespread throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere.  I guess there's no real connection, then...  In any case, I liked the shape of the berries and thought I'd share a similarity between the States and Korea, after my ramble on language barriers.  I promise more photos and more interesting rambles in the weekend post!