MILSA participants 2023/2024
Corina Schneider
The non-existent bus schedule on Oahu
The purpose of this blog is to write about a cultural practice from my host country. When I read the attached definition of a cultural practice – ways of doing something which relate to particular cultural environments and may therefore be unfamiliar to newcomers – I immediately thought of public transportation on Oahu. I am doing my semester abroad at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, which is located on the island of Oahu and in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. Although Oahu has the best infrastructure of all the islands of Hawaii, the public transportation is very different from the public transportation in Switzerland.
Luisa Schwander
Reflecting on food culture in Korea
I would like to talk about eating out in Korea, especially at restaurants. There are quite a few things that make the experience different from eating out in Switzerland. Firstly, the utensils are different. Instead of the usual forks and knives, you mostly get metal chopsticks and a spoon. Additionaly, you usually have to set your own table – there’s a little box with what you need for that. Now, to the food itself. In Korean restaurants, they often serve free side dishes like kimchi, rice, pickled vegetables, and sauces alongside your main order (and free water as well!). What’s really cool is that when you order, you don’t just get one dish for yourself. Instead, everyone at the table shares different dishes placed in the middle. So other than I am used to, there is no “main dish” for one person. On a side note: There is also a difference in the ordering process. Only one person talks to the waiter to order for everyone, so you’ve got to decide beforehand who’s doing that.
Sydney Frei
Habits of the Heart: From Curiosity to Appreciation
Apart from the beauty of restored and picturesque temples and fortresses, lush green mountains covered in trees that I could not wait for autumn to turn into the colors of sunset, and the calm ocean surrounding the Korean Peninsula, my fascination for the east-Asian country had especially been driven by my curiosity about its people’s culture and traditions. My inconsistent binge-watching of modern K-Dramas (Drama series made in Korea, with the classic and overused “rich chaebol-heir falls in love with the poor girl leading to family drama” trope) had given me a glimpse of Korean culture and practices. And although it certainly increased my fascination and eagerness for Korea to be the destination of my exchange semester experience, until my arrival in Seoul, I remained oblivious to the historical events and hardships that had formed those practices that I had ever been so curious about.
Annina Barrière
“Draguer” – the French flirting culture
In French, “draguer” means something like “to hit on”. I’ve been in Paris for a few months now and I quickly realized that the French approach me in a much more direct way than I’ve ever experienced in Switzerland. Whether it’s a stranger in the restaurant opposite, in the park, or simply on the street – you can be approached anywhere and at any time. This was very unfamiliar to me at first and I always reacted in a very friendly and polite manner at first. This has since changed.