By Honorary Reporter Aseel Al Sailawi from Jordan
Photos = Aseel Al Sailawi

At King Sejong Institute in Amman, Jordan, I, as a Korean-culture enthusiast, attended a Korean-language course between July 10 and Aug. 14 in a short but intense summer experience in Korean culture. 

The first activity was making a buchae, a traditional fan used in the past to cope with the summer heat and humidity. Participants painted three key symbols: a flower to represent purity and beauty, tiger (strength and courage), and butterfly (happiness and transformation).

Next was summer cuisine to help Koreans endure the heat. Samgyetang (ginger chicken soup) provided an energy boost and oinaengguk (cold cucumber soup) refreshed the senses and hydrated the body. The importance of food in Korean culture was discussed, emphasizing how each dish is connected to traditions and stories.

From left to right is oinaengguk (cold cucumber soup); samgyetang (ginger chicken soup); and a buchae (traditional fan) featuring a tiger and a magpie.

On another day, the film "Little Forest" was screened with light snacks like dotorimuk (acorn jelly) and maesil cheong (sweet plum syrup). 

The course concluded with participants preparing bingsu, a cold dessert combining shaved ice, milk, fresh fruit, and sometimes ice cream and sweet red bean paste.  

Participants prepared bingsu (shaved ice dessert) at the end of the course. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.