I was never one to believe horoscopes, but I guess the stars just had it that I was meant to be married off during the first cultural trip of the Chonnam National University International summer session. Well, not necessarily the stars, but more the weather; due to inclement weather and heavy rains our first cultural trip ended up as a trip to Gwangju’s Confucius Center. There, we learned about traditional wear and in the afternoon, we visited a kitchen where we learned how to make bibimbap, a traditional Korean dish.

At the Confucius Center, the staff taught us about the components of a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. We were told the significance of colors on a hanbok, such as the symbolism within a bride’s hanbok. The geese on the jeogori (저고리, also known as the top jacket) symbolizes fertility and the red on chima (치마, the bottom skirt) holds wishes for wealth and good fortune. I was chosen as a lucky volunteer to don the traditional dress of the bride and participate in a mock marriage ceremony.

In the afternoon, we were able to visit a kitchen where a chef explained how to assemble a bowl of bibimbap as well as the importance of each ingredient to the health of the consumer. For example, including the lotus root is a means to improve digestions and carrots are used to help eye health. The design is meant to mimic the look of a colorful flower and so the ingredients are to be palced with care. Next weekend, we’ll be taking a trip up to Seoul from Gwangju to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace near Gwanghwamun Square where we’ll be able to walk the palace grounds and learn more about the Joseon Dynasty.