School Lunch: What Korea has and the US Needs

As many of you know, I love food.  I mean, I love tasting it, cooking it, smelling it, serving it, and anticipating it.  And, I really enjoy Korean food.  The soups are fantastic, the rice is prepared perfectly, and the fermented veggies, well, most of them, are decent. :)  So most days the thing I look forward to more than anything is, believe it or not, school lunch. 

Growing up, I almost always brought my lunch to school.  I'm not sure if it was just the fact that my mom enjoyed making my lunch and enclosing a little note to surprise me or if she knew that eating school lunch meant horrific nutrition, but I always brought my lunch.  And most of my friends did too.  We'd sit at the lunch table and trade for whatever we could get that our mom's wouldn't pack for us.  It was part of the lunchtime fun.

But being in Korea has shed a new light on school lunch.  I never bring my lunch to school.  In fact, if ANY student or teacher were to bring his/her lunch to school, everyone would be asking questions.   In Korea, the students, teachers, staff, and principals eat the same lunch.  There are no choices.  Everyday there is rice, a soup, a main dish (prepared tofu, pork, fish, chicken etc.), a side dish (vegetable, greens, yogurt, fruit), and of course, kimchi. Everything made fresh and almost 90% from scratch.  And all delicious (minus octopus/squid days)! Some days I have an entire fish on my tray, other times it's duck or chicken.  Today we even had quail eggs mixed in with our pork.

Serving lunch is different too.  Each week a group of students is assigned lunch duty and serves the other students.  Every student must bring his/her own chopsticks and spoon. If they forget it that day, they don't eat (or borrow their friend's if they're nice).  When they're finished, they dispose of their food waste in a separate food bin that goes to be composted.  Nothing is plastic wrapped, frozen, from a bag or a carton.  Koreans believe drinking with their meal is hazardous to digestion so there's no drinks either.  Students can get their own water from the filtered water available on every floor of the school.

Thus, every time I sit down to slurp up my warm, soothing soup with chunks of juicy pork and fresh veggies, I wonder what went wrong in America.  Was it our need to save money? Was it our desire for independence and choice?  Was it lack of accountability?  Was it our work ethic? Was it trying to take the easy way out?  Was it our cultural diversity?  What went wrong?

Now I know there are a lot of people working on this issue back home.  Michelle Obama and TV star Jamie Oliver are on a large scale while parents and teachers are working on it on a more local scale.  There are good things happening.  But more needs to be done.

So one of the most influential aspects of Korean education that I will carry with me is the power of lunch.  It is a necessity that we take a critical look at what our kids are eating at school.  If school is a place for learning math, English, and science, shouldn't it also be a place to learn what good food means?  And not just by memorizing the food pyramid--I mean practicing what we preach.  I was lucky enough to have family and friends who taught me the power and simple delight of a home cooked, nutritious meal. But many of our poor and wealthy families give into the ease and quick clean up of fast-food or pre-packaged everything.  Whether we realize it or not, what students are served in school will directly affect their futures--whether it's what they chose to cook or what they expect from a meal.

Ultimately, there is power in having a fresh, well-cooked meal that not only is nutritious for the students, but is something the cafeteria ladies can take pride in.  Take a look at these lunches from around the globe.  Korea is number 2 although our lunches look pretty similar to Japan's as well:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/what-school-lunches-look-like-in-20-countries-arou

"We really need to rethink our definition of success."

A friend of mine posted this video from PBS Frontline, and I'd like to pass it on. It gives a bit more insight into the Korean education system and how Koreans feel it's more than just the education system that needs to be reformed.  Korea needs to reexamine its definition of success. 

Aaron and I have had many discussions with older Koreans about this. The longer they aim at their current definition of success, the more of their traditional culture they will lose. Older Koreans wonder who will make the kimchi when they die as making kimchi or cooking in a restaurant is not considered "successful" or "cool" in this culture anymore.  Who will gather the mugwort on the side of the street to make rice cakes which are such a traditional food? Who will farm and live in the small country towns? Who will fix the Hyundai and Daewoos?  Who will drive buses, taxis, and subways?  Who will own norebangs and do traditional singing? Until they can redefine what success is, I'm afraid that Korea will lose a lot of what we, the older generations, and younger generations (although they may not know it yet) love about this country (and I certainly see this in America too, just not as prominently as here.)

I guess I feel as a teacher that I need to help spread this new definition of success.  In my classroom, I encourage students to be whatever they want.  Most of my students get so much pressure from home telling them they must be doctors, lawyers, CEOs etc. "Teacher, I want to make money!"  "Teacher, I want to go to Harvard so I make lots of money."  Even the students who I see excel in art or music feel like those areas are not "good enough" to go into. I also act disappointed when they tell me all they did on vacation was go to hagwon (their private schools) and study. They just don't realize there is so much more to childhood! 

On a somewhat similar note, this week I've been introducing my classroom rules to my new first grade middle school students.  As part of my introduction, I show a video of Jose Conseco's "home run" when he goes to catch the ball and it bounces off his head scoring a home run for the Indians.  I explain how even professional baseball players make mistakes! So my third and final rule is something I feel these kids need to hear more than anything: "Do not be scared to make a mistake.  No one is perfect."  

All a gal can do is try.

Confucianism...a winning system?

I can’t help but comment on Nicholas Kristof’s column this week.  Read it or if you’d rather not, it’s about how an international study last month showed that China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea performed the best in math, science and reading.  The US came in 15^th in reading, 23^rd in science and 31^st in math. 

He goes on to talk about how Confucianism is the winner.  It’s a system that praises education and respects teachers as equivalents to doctors, lawyers, and businessmen.  I've experienced here as store employees and waiters call you 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim which means “teacher” in Korean) even if you aren’t one as it’s their equivalent to “sir or ma'am.”  Teachers and education are important in this culture. 

And now having lived and taught in this system for almost 2 years now, I’ve experienced Confucianism first hand.  I appreciate how diligent the majority of my students are everyday.  I’m amazed by how if I give them a break time, they use it to study.  I am continually in awe by the inherent respect they have for me as a teacher whether it’s carrying my computer and supplies to the classroom, cleaning the board and sweeping the classroom floor, bowing and apologizing to me if I’ve disciplined them in class, or giving me gifts for no reason at all.  Education is truly “steeped” into the culture as Kristof says and with that comes respect for all involved in the educational system. 

However, when tea is steeped too long it becomes quite bitter.  And although you may still be getting the necessary nutrients from it, it’s not nearly as satisfying—thus the Confucian education system.  After teaching here and immersing myself in this culture, I’ve seen how bitter it can be.

During the last week of school before vacation I asked my students if they had any plans over break.  I did not have one student tell me they were going to go on vacation, go to a movie with friends or sleep in (a few said play computer games but that’s about it).  The only thing my students said they were going to do was go to academy and study.  Really.  Study.  During school breaks they go to their academies all day.  These academies are after school schools that almost ALL Korean students go to and their parents pay big money to send them to.  Some are math specific, others specific to English, science, computer programming and some touch on all subjects.  During the school year my students attend their respective academies immediately after their regular school day and don’t get home until 10pm.  And then, during their break they have to go too?  Contrary to my fellow Korean teachers’ reactions, I reacted quite disappointed.  I encouraged my students to take a break!  Play with your friends!  Go skin your knee or something!  Spend some time doing something for yourself during your break from school.  These poor students never have a chance to be kids!

Kristof also mentioned “Many Chinese complain scathingly that their system kills independent thought and creativity, and they envy the American system for nurturing self-reliance.” Common sense is lost in this “study study study” culture as well.  There is no room for experiencing life and making mistakes, therefore, gaining common sense. Both Aaron and I have experienced certain instances when our friends or colleagues are so hooked into the system, that they can’t question something when it’s blatantly wrong or could be done in a better way.  Also, there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t worry about my students who may not get the best test scores but have personalities that are bigger than a metaphorical A+!  Everything is black and white, which leaves no room for questioning or thinking about how things could be done differently or how people can have a wide variety of interests and strengths. 

In my classes I really try to encourage my students to think critically and creatively.  And it’s difficult for them!  But, when I hear my students’ minds gingerly stepping outside of their memorized boxes, it’s one of the greatest moments of my day.  Yes, I’m American and that’s the educational style I’m used to, but I’ve learned how preciously effective our system is and how we need to appreciate and nurture it much more than we do.   Here in East Asia, education is everything, and I think the US really needs to learn something from that.  But in the US, education isn’t absolutely everything, and I think East Asia could learn a little something from us too.

War?

When Aaron and I first came to Korea, we were told three things never to talk about with Koreans: the war/North Korea, politics and religion.  Well, needless to say, lately it seems that’s all we’ve been talking about with each other, other foreigners, and Koreans. So after talking with my concerned family and friends, I thought I should share some of the dialogue Aaron and I have been having with Korean colleagues, friends, and students about what’s going on here (or at least what we think is going on).

First of all, let me start with something that happened to Aaron about a few weeks ago.  As a high school teacher, most of Aaron’s oldest male students will be doing their required 2-year military service next March after they graduate.  Therefore, they’re quite concerned about the possibility of war.  However, sticking to what we were told at orientation, Aaron never brought up the topic in class.  Until one day he was doing his normal, “how are you?” routine at the beginning of class and one student raised his hand and said, “bad.”  Now, when any students stray from the programmed, “I’m fine, thank you, and you?” answer there’s clearly something important they want to say.

So, Aaron asked the student why he was feeling so bad.  The student responded with somewhat helpful hand gestures and said, “South Korea, North Korea, war!”  Now, we were never told if a Korean brings up the topic if it’s okay to talk about.  But, in this case, because his students never want to talk and were actually showing concern about something, Aaron decided to ask more questions.  He continued with a lead up question, “So, what do you think about the possibility of war?”  Now, as many know, his students are quite low so they all looked to the Korean teacher to translate.  But, Aaron’s male Korean teacher refused to translate.  Aaron tried to reword the question in a different way in hopes that the students would understand, but it was no use—the students didn’t understand and the Korean teacher just stood there.  Then, the Korean teacher told Aaron, “You don’t want to talk about this with students.  Start your lesson.” 

After the class, Aaron and his teacher talked about what happened.  Essentially his teacher (an older gentleman) said he never wanted to talk about North Korea with a foreigner ever again.  

Now, we’ve told this story to some of our closer friends here in Korea (old and young) and received a few explanations: 

• About half of the older generation, specifically teachers, believe Kim Jong-Il is the answer for reunification, therefore, he is not a bad man.   This is the reason why even students and teachers are not allowed to talk about politics or North Korea in schools.
• Another teacher explained that Aaron’s teacher simply doesn’t want to talk about it because the country is quite divided on the subject.  Apparently a large number of young Koreans believe that the Cheonan sinking was a conspiracy.  They believe it was posed by the conservative party in hopes of handling the situation in positive way and, therefore, receiving votes in the upcoming election. But, the older generation truly believes it was North Korea and so there is rising amount of conflict concerning the subject. 
• Still, another teacher told me that in elementary school she was taught North Koreans were devils and that they were inferior to South Koreans. She knows better than thinking they are “devils” now, but she said that most people just hate North Korea and its people.

So, this was certainly a wake up call to Aaron (and me).  In American schools it would be unheard of NOT to use a situation like the Korean conflict as a learning tool and mode of discussion while in South Korea the discussion is banned from schools.  But one thing we’ve come to know is that there is NO room for conflict in Korean culture.  I suppose the lack of opportunities for discussion, free thinking, and tackling difficult/conflicting issues is what is a bit frustrating about education in South Korea from an American’s perspective.

Although it is difficult to get any type of clarity in regards to this situation, I do have to say that when it comes down to it most of the teachers, students, and friends we talk to are really not concerned about the possibility of war.  Now, frankly, I’m not sure if this is a result of the eroding connection each generation seems to have to the Korean War or their acknowledgment but just sheer annoyance with North Korea’s tactics (it seems they find them more annoying than threatening). 

Anywho, I will assure you that Aaron and I are registered with our embassy and if anything were to occur, we are in the safest place in South Korea.  Busan is about as far from Seoul as you can get and we would be on a boat to Japan as soon as possible.   But here’s to hoping we can stay on this beautiful, mountainous land for another year.