Eating Kimchi and Loving it Too!

Many people around the world may not have known that Philippines has become the 2nd home to South Koreans -not because Filipinos make better homemade Kimchi. But Philippines has pushed its doors wide open to new found Korean friends for business and industrial partnership. Recently, the country has surprised the world for providing an efficient educational tourism for enthusiastic Koreans who desire to learn English as a Second Language-an excellent and cheaper alternative to student-exchange program in US, Canada, England and Australia.

Every year, a gaggle of Korean students troop their way in to the different parts of the country to enroll in prestigious schools that offer English as a Second Language with a reasonable price. As a matter of fact, in 2008 more than half a million Korean visitors have already discovered the practicality of getting two items for the price of one- quality education and enjoying the beauty of Philippines' 7107 islands.

It is a pleasant sight to behold grade school Filipino and Korean students blending their cultural differences at the school grounds playing together, exchanging national games, celebrating Philippine-Korean Friendship Day and collaborating in school activities.

Known for its world class hospitality and genuine friendship, surely Filipinos would always go over and beyond to please their local and foreign guests. This is why, a wad of Korean products, restaurants, food, language centers proliferate in major cities of Manila in as much as Korean television soap operas showcasing their popular matinee idols are adored and patronized by millions of Filipinos who perceive that having something Korean is hip and cool.

However, in school setting where the total population of students is an amalgam of Korean and Filipino nationalities, it behooves that both nationals somehow muster efforts to embrace each other's cultural quirks and uniqueness. It is a fact that any country has countless irritating and yet endearing practices that either turn off or charm foreign guests. In Croatia, it is acceptable that people hang out in pubs and coffee shops for as long as they want.

In Singapore, chewing gum is strictly prohibited not only because they are a stickler for cleanliness but violating the law on chewing a gum costs $1000 fine. In Japan, where respect is very important, bowing of head is highly encouraged. While in Mexico, you gain a brownie point if you try to speak Spanish to the locals. And when speaking to a group of people in Mexicans, you are expected to address them individually otherwise, it is deemed rude and lazy if you acknowledge them as a group.

What may be openly acceptable to one country may be considered rude to another. This is why, living up to the old adage "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," is such an immense undertaking for adults and quite stringent to expect from grade school kids.

In one school in a suburb of Manila where a huge number of Korean students are enrolled, a 5th grade school boy revealed that he prefers to play with his fellow Filipinos. When asked if he has Korean friends, he sheepishly replied " None, because they're not nice to me." Clearly, the child's 10 year old mind views that Koreans not engaging in banter means not being friendly to him. Apparently, the child's lack of information about the Koreans' non-assertive way of making friends imprinted a wrong impression about them. On the flipside of the coin, Korean schoolmates may find the boy's amiable jesting to strike up a conversation as offensive or crude.

This particular situation may appear like a typical grade school nugatory squabble that any teacher would not even pay attention to. How ever trivial it may seem, it indicates a reveille that there is an unspoken cultural gap that encumbers cordial friendship among young children that may lead to unwarranted animosity if not arrested.

With the abrupt blending of a huge number of Koreans in Philippine schools, the resolve of providing intensive courses on cultural awareness and sensitivity for both Korean and Filipino students regarding guests' and the host country's valued heritage, cultural traits and practices should have been optimized by school administrators to establish respect, harmony, camaraderie and avoiding culture shock among young students. An endeavor like this is tantamount to weaving a friendship bracelet that binds the two nationalities that will not only go a long way- but considered a worthwhile investment. Crossing the borders of cultural diversity between the host country and its Korean guests would significantly boost and nurture a newly found partnership.

Koreans and Filipinos can learn a plethora of first hand information about each other's uniqueness of culture, different shades of historical past, warmth and hospitality of their own people.

Having Koreans flocked to the Philippines as staunch ally, Filipinos will always relish their fondness for Kimchi, Korean's most popular food-spicy, tasty and takes you by surprise. The more you get accustomed to its exotic spicy taste and distinct smell, the more you long for it. And miss it when you don't have one.