“This unit has been enjoyable and informative; we learned how to make kimchi, the history behind it, and the benefits of kimchi. We used teamwork many times and, through cultural connections, were able to experience Kimjang and the many unique facets of Korean culture. First, I will talk about my experiences during this unit. These last few weeks of Korean class have been exciting and informative, both for being able to make Kimchi physically and going to Korean restaurants to experience it. We have learned more about the Korean culture, such as Kimjang, and we understand the Korean language more personally. We often worked in teams, not even during teamwork exercises, to help each other learn and allow us to grow as a class. The one lesson I learned most from everything we learned in this unit was the cultural connection to the Korean language that we would all understand. In Korean culture, food is a pivotal point, allowing the mingling of family, friends, thoughts, and ideas. It brings communities, both large and small together by showing that we all need food to survive, so let us survive together. The one thing I will never forget and take away from this unit is how much food can bring us together. Not just on a date getting to know someone better but the experience of cooking with someone, the experience of a community or group of friends sitting down for one meal and coming together. That is what I will take away.” By Luca G11

I enjoyed this project. It was fun, hands-on, and educational. I will tell you a little bit about my experience. During my experience of the field trip, we went to H Mart and were given a list. The idea was to go with your team members to navigate the store and find the kimchi ingredients. We bought things like 배추, 사과, 무, 파, 앙파, 마늘, and 소금. We then got a chance to shop for ourselves and met at the checkout. 

After, we went to a Korean restaurant for lunch. I thought it was cool. 

Next, we headed home with our ingredients and got started on my favorite part. It was making the kimchi! This was my favorite part because we got to combine the ingredients and learn to make kimchi while also using Korean phrases and as little English as possible.

 During this project, I think I learned a lot. I learned Korean phrases and words, how to make kimchi, about Kimjang and Culture, and more. 

I was surprised by how difficult the kimchi was to make with a lot of people who had never made kimchi before. It was still really fun. 

Another thing I learned was strong teamwork skills. I collaborated with my teammates to find what we needed and make it happen. We did really well on helping each other but Ii think we could improve by asking more questions in the future. We tried to open the 배추 to look like a flower.

This project helped me understand Korean culture better because I learned about the Korean way of community and sharing. Everybody pitches in and leaves nobody out. Food like kimchi brings people together because the tradition of kimjang maintains Korean identity and is a good way to strengthen family teamwork. 

In the future I will apply what I have learned throughout this project. It was really awesome and I have learned so much. 

I think that I will remember Kimjang day the most and how important it is to Korean Culture. 이 프로젝트 정말 좋아했어요! By Ever Kasmarick G7