The Han River is a major river in Korea and is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River, the total length is 514Km. The Han River and its surrounding area played an important role in Korean history.
A place of relaxation and convenient waterway transportation, the Han River is the center of Seoul’s urban renewal. Visitors come to the banks of the Han River for leisure and recreation, an urban respite from the hectic pace of everyday life.

There’s nothing like smooth sailing along the Han River, or watching the lights of river side expressways sparkle from a distance, as water ripples playfully beat against the hull as you zip through Seoul’s largest waterway. Four wharfs (Yeouido, Jamsil, Ttukseom, and Yanghwa) are available points of departure and arrival for travelers who are in search of a cool breeze on one of several boats along the river.

Sailing along the Han river	One of the many Han River Ferries	Yanghwa Bridge

There are a total of 27 bridges on Han River in Seoul National capital area and they all provide for a spectacular night view from a Han River Ferry.

We boarded a ferry called the “Pirates of the Caribbean” named just like the blockbuster Jerry Bruckheimer movie! For dinner on the ferry we at instant noodles (Cup Ramen) and triangular rolled rice gimbap (Samgak Gimbap) - both traditional snack foods in Korea.

Our ferry – the "Pirates of the Caribbean"!	With Christina and her friend	The pirate inspired interior of our ferry

We all had a lovely time on board the Han River Ferry amongst the company of friends and staff. And we will always remember the spectacular view sailing past the beautiful Han River bridges!

N Seoul Tower is a communication tower located Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1969, and opened to the public in 1980, the tower measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level. The Namsan cable car is an aerial tramway in Seoul - It is the first commercial cable car service for passengers in Korea and most visitors ride the Namsan cable car up the mountain to travel to the tower.

Our transport vehicle - Namsan Cable Car	The famous N Seoul Tower	The breathtaking view of Seoul at night

At the end of the week, our WLE Students arrived at the front of N Seoul Tower to watch the popular Laser Show display, performing every Friday night like today. So many other people arrived here as well; families, friends, lovers, it really did start to feel like a concert.

Justyna & Iris inside the N Seoul Tower	The fantastic Laser Show!

The Laser Show was simply marvelous with its multicolored and many shaped laser beams, there was even a talented singer there who sang Korean hit songs as well as pop classics in English for foreigners.

Lover’s love Locks	The N Seoul Tower from the outside

Yongjin Korean Folk Village is a living museum and is a famous tourist attraction in the satellite city of Yongin, a city that is within the Seoul Metropolitan Area in the province of Gyeonggi. The purpose of the Korean Folk Village is to display elements of traditional Korean life and culture, and our WLE students travelled to the Folk Village to experience just that!

A traditional Korean House	The many kinds of traditional jars

The village had multiple sections with each one displaying how a Korean in traditional times would have lived amongst the surroundings. There were also numerous replicas of traditional houses of the different social classes: peasant, landowner, and ruling class known as "yangban".

The storekeeper helps Justyna wear a traditional hairpin	This goes here.. and that goes there...	...and finished! Justyna looking more Korean now!

There was also a market place within the Village and we halted at the Korean traditional accessory shop – there were simply too many irresistible traditional Korean goods on sale to miss! Justyna wanted to buy a traditional Korean hairpin, so we asked the storekeeper to show how one would wear it like the style of the traditional days. The storekeeper was happy to oblige and applied it on Justyna for her.
Justina loved it!

Robert With Dae Jang Gum!	Justyna imprisoned traditional Korean style!	The solid wooden bars provide for no escape

There was also a lot of traditional pottery such as jars used for storing soy. One could tell from the many jars that traditional Korean cooking required proper storage of precious ingredients and the jars made then were perfect for such usage.

Our students also visited the village jail made of think bars of wood, it was surprisingly secure and even in traditional times being in jail was still a grim experience!

It was a fun and fascinating trip and our WLE students were exposed to a whole new world and learnt much about the livelihood of Koreans in traditional times.

Name: Christina Boehne Country of Residence: United States Citizenship: American Profession: University Student, Dance Teacher Education Background: Middle School Language Spoken: American English Hobbies: Dance, Watching Korean/Taiwanese/Japanese Dramas And Shows, Listening to Korean/Japanese Music

Why did you decide to study Korean Language?
I love Korean culture and I plan on working as a fashion coordinator/stylist here.

How are you finding your studies in Korea?
I really like studying at Yonsei with my new friends from class. It’s a lot of information to remember because it is taught so fast but it is fun and totally worth it.

What do you find most interesting in Seoul?
I really love the way that Ede and Sinchon are set up. It’s as if every time you go there you can always find a new and interesting place; no matter how often or how many times you go. I also love Noraebang/Karaoke because I get to sing the songs by my favorite singers (they are all Korean).

How has your experience in Korea changed you, if it has?
I don’t think that it has really changed me much expect perhaps that it has ruined American for me. Before I came here I knew that I wanted to live here but now I have actually been here I don’t want to leave. The whole time I’m in America I’ll want to be here.

How did you like your accommodation?
The studio that I have stayed in is nice and new.

Tell us a few memorable experiences in Seoul/ Korea.
Meeting new friends from all of the around; Seoul Hallyu Festival, Super Junior Third Anniversary Fan Meeting, and going to Misarrang (DongBangSinKi Junsu’s Dad’s Pizza Restaurant) where I got to meet Junsu’s dad who is really really nice!!!

What is the thing you like best about Seoul/Korea?
Ede, Sinchon, and Noraebang

Will you come to Seoul again?
Of course! Being able to come here just makes me want to live here even more.

What advice/tips would you give to others who plan to come and study in Korea?
Study hard everyday, or almost every day, and you’ll do fine. While you are in Korea, don’t just focus only on tourist things and food; you should also really try looking at the entertainment here such as tv shows, dramas, and especially music! And remember to speak confidently/clearly when you speak Korean because they are more willing to be helpful (and sometimes give better prices) when you do, even if you have to stop and think about what you want to say first.