Minutes February 11, 2009: Brendan Naranscik

Fine master Erik was not too hard this evening. He had a sad buck himself for a young lad who damaged his car from front to back when Erik merged onto the Highway. Norm had a happy buck for a wonderful Curling weekend.

Guest speaker Brendan Narancsik Is a graduate of York University and Trenton University in 2007. His girlfriend is Olivia.

Brendan went to Korea from August 2007 until November 2008 to teach English. This was a life changing event for him. Korea is an old country with a rich history. Because of that people who live over there have a very strong belief that the way they do things is the best way. Kimchi is the daily food. It looks like cabbage.

Important rules for living are:

- The Korean Ajumma (respect the older). there is a huge respect for authority. Everybody listens to the leader and older people are always right.

- family and groups are more important than the individual. You do everything for the group. Sometimes Brandon found that difficult. A lot of people wear the same clothes. No individual expression.

These were first hand observations Brendan made. The housing is very basic. His house was very small. Almost no furniture. In the winter the shower would freeze.

The language was a huge barrier and because of that Brendan felt that he missed out on a lot of conversations.

The town they lived in, Gangjin,  was small. There were 4 foreign students. There was not much to do. That is why he started with taekwondo and Hapkido.

Korea is a beautiful country with old Buddhist Temples, nature and a rich culinaire kitchen.

Brendan teached for 6 months at a Elementary School. Students are very respectful. This made teaching easy. Students are eager to learn, there is no preparation time and no parents meetings. The language barrier was hard. Overall it was a very positive experience. Korea is a big paradox in a way it is very modern and in a other way it is very old fashioned in manners and culture. Koreans a re very warm people. They respect each other way more then we are used to over here.

Peter Van Wees asked what kind of cars you saw over there: Daewoo, Hyundai and Kia. Mike asked how he got in Korea. That was through Brendan friend and travel companion Erik. Peter Van Wees asked how the pay was. Flight to Korea and back is paid for, and also the housing. At the end of the year Brendan has Saved about $ 20,000. From that money he is going to travel in Europe together with his girlfriend.

Brendan we wish you a very good time in Europe and thank you for your informative and personal presentation.

Other things for Rotary:

Gibson informed us about the VIP program. People have to attend the awards ceremonies. He will send an email. Erik mentioned that VIA Rail is not going to supply the tickets for the midnight draw for the Fish Fry. We have to think of something else on a very short term. President Norm informs us March 25 will be a joint meeting with the other clubs in Oxford County. Probably Toyota is doing a presentation.

Next week speaker Deb. Roloson from WDDS, team 4.

Meeting adjourned at 8.00 pm.