Self Help

Orange Parking Cones: The Heroes Gwangju Needs but Does Not Deserve

Gwangju News

As you may have noticed, Gwangju exhibits an extremely high level of permissiveness when it comes to allowing people to park on sidewalks. Apps that encourage citizens to snitch on such terribly parked cars do nothing. The police and tow truck drivers, it seems, are both powerless to fix this problem. In what seems like a hopeless situation, a lone hero has emerged to fight this chaos and lawlessness: a tall orange parking cone that is bolted into the ground. Truly, a tall orange parking cone that is bolted into the ground is the hero Gwangju needs but does not deserve.

Expat Living

Goodbye, South Korea

Gwangju News

You go on adventures, you talk to strangers like you have not done before, you hitchhike… The world is suddenly full of possibilities that you had not considered. They say that “the sky is the limit,” but one should add, “especially when you are abroad.” You are free and strangely bereft of the habits you had in your day-to-day life in your country of origin, which allows you to create a new “un-routinely” routine, full of exploration and discoveries.

Recipe

Red Lentil Protein Patties

Gwangju News

Lentils come in many sizes and colors, and they all have their own nutritional profiles. According to a 2010 study comparing green, French green, and red lentils, red is best due to its polyphenol content. But it is also the smallest, cheapest, and usually the most commonly available. And being the smallest, it is also the quickest to cook. 

Environment

Gwangju: Home of Hope and Climate Action

Gwangju News

What causes our industrial greenhouse gas effect and what can we really do about it, especially if the largest cities and the national governments are full of industry-paid science deniers? In a mediascape so awash with false information, whom can we trust for a true-north sense of direction? What value is hope when so many speak of the ugly reality of our situation, even in and around the good city of Gwangju?

Around Korea

World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates: Maybe We Can Change the World with a Pen and a Pad

Gwangju News

By Yousra Feriel Drioua “Let go of your pre-existing prejudices and beliefs concerning the discussions we’ll be having during the summit.” These words are quoted from the welcoming speech of … Read More

Education

Two Stories from KONA Volunteers

Gwangju News

KONA volunteering switched from being local to global. People from different countries (Canada, USA, India, etc.) were able to join in the live online storybook readings and discussions. It was a great experience to see people of all ages and backgrounds come together in one screen. We are still doing story maps presentations and story sharing in this way. We can now do volunteering from our home and office through Zoom.

Education

Montessori Education II: The Unimaginable Importance of Young Hands

Gwangju News

The most common thing observable in a Montessori classroom is every child working with materials. They are using their hands to move objects, fold clothes and towels, tie shoelaces, and even wash desks. In this way, through work activities related to daily life, they stimulate their various senses, form life habits, and have opportunities to learn through trial and error.

Language Teaching

Never Bored with Board Games!

Gwangju News

Think about your education, if you can remember back that far. Kindergarten was full of games and songs to teach you how to do things. I can remember Grade 1, when my teacher made sitting up straight to answer questions in class fun and exciting. She taught us to behave and be quiet through games like this. I even remember us crowded around each other, trying to barely breath so we could hear a pin drop. I swear I heard it. When did we stop making class and learning a good time?