Days 5-8 - Week 1 of POSCO!

It's already been more than a week since I last posted...  Despite our reduced workweek of only Monday through Thursday, the last week's been a little busy.  I'm disappointed that we aren't allowed cameras (or laptops, even) inside POSCO; there are some truly amazing things in there.  Unfortunately, my detail has to be limited here, too.  Security is tight.  One of the things we're required to do is send our bags and backpacks through an x-ray machine, not when we enter the building, but when we exit.  Cards hang around our necks to indicate that we belong, and grant us access to the building and our specific office area.  Even the offices require a scan (although the individual doors are typically left open anyway, to facilitate discussion amongst members of the group).

Work begins at 9:00am and ends at 6:00pm, with a break from 12:00-1:00pm for lunch.  The cafeteria is in the building across the way, and fills with employees every day.  It's quite amazing, how much of the focus is on being sustainable and healthy.  The stair cases are beautiful, with paintings and windows whenever it's by an exterior wall.  POSCO seems to be built entirely of steel and glass, a beautiful example of modern architecture done right.

The work day never seems long enough, but in a pleasantly relaxed way.  Since we're the first interns that POSCO has ever had, they're very laid back with all four of us.  Since one of us is Korean native, they're particularly familiar and talkative with him, but they're amazingly friendly and warm, even to us foreigners.  It can get a little awkward since we girls are both Chinese and have been mistaken for Korean more than once...  The last member of our group stands out pretty clearly, as he's from the Dominican Republic.  In any case, we're given plenty of breaks throughout the day, and encouraged to relax.  Our projects are pretty simple and doable.  Combined with the tea, the random lounges in the building and a few exercise machines sprinkled throughout the building, I hardly feel like I am working.  It's a lovely company, encouraging innovation and personal growth as much as hard work and respect.  

Never fear, I will do my best never to leave you with such a dull, grey and white post again (unless I'm forbidden photos by the nearest authority figure...).  We did manage to go out one weeknight.  A Tuesday, if I'm not mistaken...

Downtown Incheon, a somewhat shinier place than the shopping district where we frequent.

Most of our time was spent wandering, purchasing a waffle here, snapping a photo there, looking into (and trying our luck) at the rigged box games on the street.

Of course we didn't win... Maybe next time?

We did enjoy a Korean barbecue, with all requisite side dishes (fixin's, if you're so inclined).

A lively mix of sour, spicy, salty and even a little sweet. 
Fresh, slightly bitter greens and pungent garlic rounded out the savory meal.

And here's the sizzling meat!  I have to admit that I had to help cook some of this.

Frying pieces of beef and pork, accompanied by grilling garlic.

Given my aversion to meat, I had a nice, hot bowl of noodles with soup.

I love seaweed...

That's all for now!  Hopefully, the report of the (very uneventful) weekend and the (slightly more eventful?) next week will have more photos and a more timely update...

See you next time!  (I'll put this up in Korean once I go ask our resident Korean translator...)