Enjoy reading these exciting stories from our 2013 Asia Summer Study group’s report!

Despite all threats from North Korea, 2013 Lander University Asia Summer Study group just returned home safely from Korea and China trip!! You will enjoy reading their blogs and pictures from 4 weeks of their exciting trip.


Building behind is North Korean Post constantly watching over this way through their windows…



Please visit following blogs for full reports of their visit from:

•             International Office:  http://international.lander.edu/asia-summer
•             Emily Ashley - http://emilyashleyabroad.weebly.com/china.html  
•             Kiera Hodges - http://kierahodge.weebly.com/china-blog.html   
•             Melanie McCrea - http://melanieshatise.weebly.com/blog.html

"As a frequent global traveler, I didn’t initially expect my first Asia experience to substantially improve my knowledge of the world and its people. Just a few hours in China were enough to prove me wrong.  Learning and experiencing the different aspects of the history and culture of both China and South Korea, as well as witnessing the signs of stunning economic growth in both countries, truly motivate me to return to Asia. The character of its people and their hospitality will certainly make me feel at home again next time. I am also forever indebted to the Office of International Programs for this unique opportunity". By Dr. Pedro Lopes, Professor in Spanish

“This has been a remarkable experience and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience first- hand what the Asian culture is all about.  Walking among them, seeing what they see and doing what they do has impacted the way I look at them and I appreciate more about where they come from!  The history of Korea and China is simply amazing and I have gained a great deal of respect for their respective cultures.” By Jeff Constant, 2013 Delegation member.” By Jeff Constant, Director, International Student & Scholar Services

I knew when I became an ambassador for my country and the Lander delegation that it would be a once in a life time experience, but never could I have imagined the way in which I perceive the world and my entire life would be changed forever.  The reading material and other accommodating tools that were provided proved to be invaluable tools in preparation for the Asian tour.  As I applied that knowledge and then asked several in depth questions to the indigenous populations of China and South Korea, presented an unimaginable experience that I could have never in a million years thought would be possible.  I met several people along the way that I plan to not only keep in touch with, but keep as lifelong friends.  I have received unsurpassed knowledge that could not have been achieved by a lecture, independent study, or seminar.  I was given the opportunity to feel it, touch it, taste it, and see it first hand and in many cases first class!  What can I say?  I feel as if I have been given something that a price tag cannot be put on and that is global life experience!  As we near the end of our journey, I would like to encourage other students to take advantage of such an experience and remember that opportunities such as this only come once in a life time, so seize the moment!  I am grateful to Lander University, Dr. Park, and all participating staff for affording me this opportunity.  Words cannot express my gratitude so I will simply say Thank you!.. by Kiera Hodge, B.S. Business Administration, Finance/Economics

.. This trip was truly one of the greatest adventures of my life so far. … I found great enjoyment learning about the culture of China and Korea as well as seeing the many key differences in our country and theirs. I learned two real truths about the cultures of these countries. ...China to Korea was like going from another world to an American copy. Korea is so westernized yet still remain a more collective and traditional society. … My experiences of both countries will have forever changed my views of the two countries whether for better or for worse.

Our Saturday, we were able to visit the Demilitarized Zone of North and South Korea. Not exactly the prime opportunity to visit, but we couldn't come all the way to Korea and not tour.  Prior to going, I heard so much about the “intensity”, but in my opinion, it wasn’t that intense. It was crazy, however, to find out later that day that North Korea fired test missiles into the ocean. It is difficult to put into perspective that I am in Korea while such an situation is going on. It’s hard to put in perspective because no one (Koreans) makes it known that it is effecting them, that is if it really is at all.  By Emily Ashley

If I tried to sum up this trip in one word, I couldn't! The experiences I have had and the people I have met have changed my life forever! Four weeks ago, I thought I wasn't even going to be able to on a plane, or be able to eat any of the Asian food but I did EVERYTHING and more! … Although, we think we are different, we are so much alike in more ways than one. I am very grateful and blessed to be able to have partaken in this wonderful Asia trip. I do hope more students will take the opportunity to set them apart from the rest! With this trip, I have become more open-minded, humble, and APPRECIATIVE of the things I have been blessed with as an America. .. So I thank you Dr. Park and Lander University for this amazing adventure. I hope one day, I can further my education at an international university in Asia. …By Melanie McCrea

This trip was built to give students from the USA insight and understanding into other cultures, geography and governments.  In my opinion it has succeeded. It was an incredible experience to watch the students on this trip begins the process of growing and becoming global citizens.  By Dr. Stan Vinson, Professor, College of Business

Thank you for letting me go on this wonderful experience and trip.  I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. As you know editing a video blog is a time consuming process and because of this I have not completely edited all of my video blogs.  Do to internet difficulties and program limitations, I was not able to post my video blog while I was here. I will post my edited and completed video blogs as soon as I get home and will continue to edit the remaining video blogs and post them as they are completed.

…By Gregory Herzog

I consider myself as a sophisticated world traveller, having traveled on four different continents during the past thirty-five or so years, but nothing prepared me for the wonder experiences I have had on this trip.  Stepping back in time for over four thousand years of history, and experiencing, everyday, a new wonder has filled me with amazement and thanksgiving.  To choose one, or even five experiences and say thait was the best would be totally impossible.  Our host universities are incredible. The staff, the students, and everyone we meet are totally wonderful.  I am so grateful to have this chace.  My educatlon has reached a new level. …By Christine M. Dorsey

May 20, 2013

Great day today!  Wolmi Park and visited the Korean Traditional Food and Cultural Experience Center where we met with, and were “trained” by, a famous Korean television chef (at least that’s what they told us) that taught us how to prepare two traditional Korean main dishes and also traditional rice cakes…yummy!  Guess what we had for lunch!  Afterward we toured the gardens then visited Incheon’s Chinatown (where the Chinese first settled in Korea). Once there we visited Jayu Park and saw the monument honoring the great General McAuthur for his role in saving Korea.  Later we visited Shinpo Street Market (famous since the1890’s) and then made our way to the fish market. There we saw everything that could possibly live beneath the surface of the water…and the “stuff” was big! We had a great dinner and then attended the first evening of an annual two day festival at the university (we thought it was just a welcoming party for our delegation).

May 21, 2013

Today we stayed closed to home base in the Songdo area where we began at the Compact City building.  Here we learned the why and how of how this area came to be (it is reclaimed land that was once just mud flats) to include a short boat ride in the canal of Central Park.  After a marvelous lunch we had a meeting with the University President, Mr. Sung-Eui Choi.  After delightful conversation the students were turned over to their respective host families for the evening (I will let you read their individual blogs to find out about experiences). 

May 22, 2013

We left Incheon aboard the KTX Train for Daegu, home of Yeungnam University, and were welcomed by the USA club – the University Student Ambassadors.  Upon our arrival we were able to rest a bit from our train ride and were treated to KFC for a snack before our itinerary began.  The afternoon began around 3:00 with formal introduction of the staff and students from both sides and a presentation and tour about YU (our delegation was a bit bummed there was not time for our presentation).   After the tour we ate a traditional meal at a restaurant favorite of the students and then headed to ….YU’s two festival that had just began!

May 23, 2013

We began with breakfast at the restaurant beside our Guest House and quickly got underway to the Gyeongju National Museum.  Here we were able to gain a complete view of the Silla Dynasty at a glance.  It was filled with ancient (7th and 8th century) artifacts, some from the tomb we saw later in the day and other from this site as well as from all over the province.  Lunch today was another Korean traditional meal which was yummie!  We then moved to Gyeongju Bulguska, an ancient Buddhist Temple dating back to the late 700’s which still serves the as a temple for local Buddist in the evenings and early mornings.  This magnificent, hillside temple is full of rich history and meaning – everything they do has purpose, every detail to buildings and walkways and landscape.  After the temple we headed to  the Chonmachong area to visit the Tomb of King Michu. This area appeared as a normal hilly meadow…but our eyes were deceived as each “hill” was actually a tomb!  One of the tombs had been excavated and was reinforced to allow tourist the opportunity to see how these tombs were built; captivating, simply captivating.  The evening ended with dinner with some of the USA students. They again took us to one of their favorite restaurants were we were treated to a chicken and noodle dish that was pretty darn good!

May 16, 2013

Our day began with a Welcoming Ceremony that including many students that will be visiting Lander this Summer for our English Language and Culture program and students that will be attending in the Fall – it is so good to begin making some connections with them as it will ease their minds as the time draws nearer to come to Lander!  Mr. Chad Anderson, Professor in the Public Administration Department, gave an enlightening talk on Korean life and culture based on his many years in Korea as a professor.  Afterwards we had a scrumptious lunch on campus at their Chinese restaurant (funny our first meal in Korea was Chinese) and then proceeded directly into our Lander presentation and a presentation by some of Incheon’s students about Incheon.   Dinner was on campus at one of the restaurants for their students – the group chose…wait for it….Popeyes Chicken!  After dinner afterwards some members of the delegation headed to Seoul  to see what the big city had to offer.

May 17, 2013

We were treated today to a trip to Seoul where we saw (from the road) the “Blue House – this is the US equivalent to the White House.  This led directly into a tour of the Gyeongbok Palace and the National Folk Museum.  We managed to squeeze in a few minutes at Insa-dong, a famous shopping district.  We headed back to the Guest House for a pizza dinner and then some of the delegation headed BACK to Seoul to see the Lantern Festival, a celebration of Budah’s birthday.

May 18, 2013

What a day – we visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ); later we discovered that North Korea had launched three test missiles into the sea on this day.  On the way to the DMZ we had a traditional Korean meal complete with eating while sitting on a cushion on the floor.  The DMZ visit was intense to say the least!  After going through three JSA checkpoints with armed guards everywhere, having our Passports checked two separate times and transferring busses with an armed guard riding with us, we made to the actual DMZ.  Lining up two-by-two we entered the outer building and were escorted to the outside area where we saw North Korea.  With a North Korean guard watching our every move through binoculars and JSA guards watching intently making sure our pictures were only focused on the North Korean side, we were given about three minutes to take as many pictures as we wanted.  Once time was up, we performed a left-faced and marched two-by-two back into the outer building and onto our bus.   While at taking pictures we could hear chatter on the guards two-way radios and wondered why we were not able to enter the UN buildings to actually be able to step onto North Korean territory.  While we boarded the bus, chatter increased on the two-ways and our armed guard told us quickly that we would not be able to visit Guard Tower #3 as scheduled for security reasons.  After our two and half hour bus ride back some of the delegation once again took on Seoul.

May 9, 2013

Got an earlier than normal start today as we had a flight to catch to Beijing; the flight went off without a hitch other than a brief 20 minute delay.  We are so fortunate that Jack, our new best friend from SHNU, has not only been able to be with us while we were in Shanghai but arrangements were also made for him to stay with us through Beijing and also through Xian – good for us!  When we got through security we were greeted by yet another smiling face, Sherry. Sherry is from a travel agency that SHNU hired to take care of us while we were under their care.  After just over an hour of stop-and-go traffic we made it to our fancy, swanky 4-star hotel.  We all took some time to rest and unpack and left for dinner at 4:30.  After more stop-and-go traffic we arrived at our restaurant.   Dinner was WONDERFUL!  When we were seated we immediately noticed that there were large holes in the table similar to those in the middle of an “Oyster Roast” table.  However after a few minutes a waiter brought a bucket of white hot coals and placed them in the holes followed by a string of waitresses with multiple cold vegetable dishes quickly followed by thinly sliced beef, pork and chicken…what a great experience!  After dinner we made our way to a local supermarket for a few staple items.

May 10, 2013

Today we visited Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City.  Both of these places are massive and simply take your breath away.  Tiananmen Square, around Mao’s Tomb, reportly can hold one million people!  Once inside the Forbidden City we began our trek to walk the entire “campus”; home to the emperor of the time, his family, the highest military personnel and other necessary people to support staff.  Seeing all there was to see (we think), we made our way to a shopping village, dinner and then called it a day.

May 11, 2013

We awoke today with the Great wall on our mind!  After traveling nearly two hours by bus we reached our particular portion of the Great Wall – WOW.  To think this is one of the three things visible from space other than the sea and land mass; the group was ready!  We had less than two hours to explore and experience the wall and all of its glory so we quickly ascended among the vast sea of humanity (thank you Pedro for the “verbage”).  The most adventurous of the group was able to make it to the fifth tower fearing they would delay the group from leaving on time; when I say the fifth tower don’t let the relatively small number fool you – that is quite a feat!  After our climb we ate lunch and visited the Summer Palace.  The Summer Palace gives a new meaning to the term “vacation home!  This area has a larger footprint than the Forbidden City and we explored every inch.  After dinner a small group took off to the ”Silk Market” and others went to the market for snacks for our train ride in the morning.

May 6, 2013

After breakfast we attended the official Opening Ceremony where we were greeted by Vice President for Student Affairs Mr. Lianhua Wang, Director of Students’ Affairs Division Ms. Wenchao Zhang and other old friends – former visiting Scholars Caddie, Ivy, and Crystal as well as Summer who visited Lander with the delegation last year.  Stan Vinson did a wonderful introducing the Lander Delegation and speaking for the group as he thanked Shanghai Normal for their hospitality.  After the gift exchange and our respective presentations we had two fascinating lectures on Chinese culture and history.  After dinner we were treated to an evening of Karaoke!  Now, when I say Karaoke I do not mean your typical “bar scene” Karaoke; I am talking first class Karaoke.  Karaoke here is as follows – you enter into a LARGE facility with 85 INDIVIDUAL Karaoke rooms that are rented for small groups of friends from 5 to 50.

May 7, 2013

Today was an extremely busy day – we all were exhausted by the end of the day.  We began our day with a bus ride into town to visit the Yuyuan Classical Garden which was built during the Ming Dynasty.  After the garden we had lunch in The Bund district of Shanghai.  After lunch, part of the group took in the sites of The Bund District (this area is full of high dollar shopping and home to banking district on the water front of the Huang Pu River) to include a beautiful flower wall that must have been at least 100 yards in length.  The other part of the group visited the Oriental Pearl TV Tower; once there they ascended high above Shanghai for breath-taking views of the city.  We met back up together and headed to the Shanghai Museum, the crowed jewel of Shanghai.  This visit proved to be quite exquisite with amazing artifacts from many different dynasties.  After our dinner we headed back to campus where we attended a musical recital for 14 students who were leaving for a semester of music study in Russia.  While we were all very tired this proved to be a wonderful event for us all!

May 8, 2013

Today was a much calmer day as we toured the second campus of Shanghai Normal University, the campus where most all Freshmen and Sophomores study and stay – a campus of about 20,000 residential students.  While there we visited a Chinese Painting/calligraphy class where we meet with students.  While there they painted a variety of things for us to include Chinese names, paintings and sayings – the students REALLY enjoyed this.  After the painting class we moved to one of their gyms and watched demonstration in Tai Chi, Women’s Kungfu Fan Dancing and Men’s Kungfu.  After each performance we were invited to join them to learn about and experience what we had just seen.   The day ended with dinner and a good nights rest!

May 5, 2013

We look in our rearview at Shanghai University of Electric Power and look ahead to our dear friends at Shanghai Normal University.  Upon arrival we checked into the on campus “Guest House” (very nice hotel by many standards in the US) – first order of business was INTERNET!!!! After checking in we had lunch at the dining facility on site and then went…yep you guessed it SHOPPING at a labyrinth of a market in downtown.  We all made quite a few purchases over the 3 ½ hours we were there.  After shopping we had dinner and then retired for the evening – we have a full day tomorrow. 

May 3, 2013

Today we said goodbye to our wonderful friends at Sanda and “Hello” to our new friends at Shanghai University of Electric Power.  When we arrived on campus we were greeted by a large banner that read “Welcome Lander Students and Faculty” – so nice and it certainly did not go unnoticed by the group.  Students greeted us with a very vocal reception and we moved right into activities once our luggage was in our rooms.  The first order of business was some time in small groups to introduce ourselves and “talk – this proved to be a very good activity that our students really enjoyed.  Now the most important thing lunch!  In our small groups we were given precut dough and pork mixed with cabbage so we could make our own Dumplings for lunch!  After we ate there were a few more games/activities designed to help us all relax; we all had a blast and we discovered that TJ could not hum a tune!  We were then taken a tour of their beautiful campus. Their campus is a very clean and modern campus and is still considered to be on the fringe of Shanghai.  After the tour it was time for us to do as we wished; some relaxed in their rooms, some played basketball and soccer with some of the students while others explored the campus more thoroughly.  We were invited to dinner at a local place by an American couple from the state of Washington who were teaching English – of course we agreed.  What a fun night we had!  June, the leader of their group, told us that rather than plan the normal “tourist stuff:” they had planned for us to see more of what traditional life was like in China

May 4, 2013

Our schedule today called for a trip to a local farm which was supposed to include activities such as feeding animals (poultry, pigs and sheep), boating, milling, weaving, fishing for crabs and crayfish; however due to the potential Bird Flu threat we as leaders respectfully asked to change the plans.  Our day began with a drive thru of the new Pudong area where we saw China’s largest artificial lake, Dishui Lake.  After the drive through tour we visited the East China Sea.  Don’t get excited it was not a beach as we had envisioned but rather a manmade shoreline made of concrete.  What was amazing was at how far out the tide would travel and how flat the area was – I can only imagine what a “stormy high tide” would do to the area.  Moving on to lunch we found ourselves once again at Shuyuan Village - it was Just as good as before!  After we gorged ourselves were treated to a marvelous flower garden that would make Mr. Park of Park Seed Company jealous; unfortunately I think we missed ”peak time” by probably two or three weeks!  While there we did engage in a bit of rivalry in the form of paddle boat races – not sure ANY of us were quite ready for that but we all very much enjoyed the visit.  When we arrived home we relaxed (washed cloths, pack, nap, etc) for a couple of hours before dinner and ended up back at the Pink Table Cloth (same restaurant as last night) for another spectacular meal.  One again Jeromy and Rita joined us and brought three students with them.  I cannot brag enough on our students; they have been absolutely AWESOME!  The have completely and freely engaged in the culture and people and are changing not only their lives but also the lives of the people they meet.  An interesting aside – while at Shanghai University of Electric Power internet has been non-existent for us which has forced us to look within (and out) for things to keep ourselves occupied during downtime.  This, I believe, is truly a blessing as I have …are you ready for this…heard actual conversation and not the clickity clack of keys on computers!