MANNAM Volunteer Association 'One of MANNAM member Essay' over the past year...

MANNAM in my life

It has been two years and a half since I came to Korea and for this period I’ve had many
experiences ? both ups and downs; met a lot of new people and made many friends. First
months of my life in Korea were lonely, boring and painful since I did not speak Korean
at all. I had few foreign friends who I could communicate with and was terrified to bump
into locals in convenient stores, bus and taxi or hair saloons where people had no idea of
what I was trying to explain in my broken Korean. I was distressed and prepared to go
back home with the first ticket as soon as my language classes ended in February, 2012.
But things have changed to one hundred eighty degrees after I met ‘MANNAM’ volunteer
association. Now, recollecting the events of my life before making New Year’s
resolutions, with a smile on my face I remember the joy and light I had with ‘MANNAM’
and decided to share some of them in this essay.
First day I met ‘MANNAM’ volunteers was in February, 2012 when I was invited to a free
Korean class in a ‘Doran Doran’ cafe in Dayeon station. A class in a casual environment
without pressure of homework or assignments and cute young friendly volunteers who
mastered English gave an inspirational light not to leave Korea and continue my study.
In the class there were about five or six foreign students each from a different country. It
was then when I met Hong - one of my best friends in Korea. It seemed that he was a
new staff member to MANNAM which itself was in a fledgling stage. We had a brief
conversation about our interests and hobbies. After that, momentarily, he suggested
organizing soccer games every weekend which, I think, was an amazing idea. In this way
I happened to know ‘MANNAM’ and became a part of it.
‘MANNAM’ International organizes various sports activities and tournaments among the foreign teams
throughout Korea and one of the most memorable such events was a trip to participate in
a football tournament in Seoul. It was formalized in a large scale that over thousand
foreigners took part in it and it was broadcasted on news. On this day we set out from
Busan in four coaches at 6 in the morning. Five-hour journey to Seoul was spent full of
joy singing, dancing, playing various local games like ‘21 questions’, etc. In a
tournament we played against Seoul MANNAM team and our friendship won again as the
score was a tie two and two. There was a short series of performances in the field to
entertain us. It was a chance for one to meet hundreds of new faces and make friends
within a single day. Not once ‘MANNAM’ has organized such gathering and brought light
together. In addition to the regular trips to Seoul, ‘MANNAM’ unites us in Busan as well.
In a row of such events Gwangalli summer beach gatherings are unique. Last summer it
was a true fun with ‘MANNAM’. We had several booths each serving food, drinks, games,
wish cards, stickers and a concert on a stage built on the beach. I still have the T-shirts
from the event.
Last ‘MANNAM’ party of the year was held last week and it was pleasant to know how big
family we became over this period. A long awaited party with red tones of clothes,
people wearing a red hat, pants, skirt, jumper, etc. began with warm welcome of hosts in
a cozy cafe. There were also people from my soccer team, badminton team and a Korean class. We wrote our Christmas wishes to each other on a card and played various interactive games like bingo, card drawing. Winners were given prizes and also there was an award giving ceremony to grant certificates for active participation in the activities of ‘MANNAM’. I never thought I would ever be awarded in such celebration, but I was given a certificate for being a multiplayer of the year. I took the credit for participating in many events and activities.
I am still looking at the photos taken at the party and feel that joy and warmth. It was a memorable last party of the year by ‘MANNAM’.
To sum up what ‘MANNAM’ means to me, I would say it is family of friendship with
contagious love that gets bigger and bigger as time goes by. All the activities ? soccer,
badminton, cricket, basketball ? we do, the events ? parties, gatherings, classes,
marathons ? we organize and the charity works ? visiting orphanage, helping the old,
painting walls ? we volunteer are for a single cause ? peace and love in the world.
‘MANNAM’ gave a light to me and my goal is to shed the light even brighter because when light meets light there is a victory.

MANNAM International Korean Class had the experience to make Kimchi which is korean traditional food

Sharing Kimjang with MANNAM Volunteer Association

(It will be delivered to poor neighbors.)

 

 

Kimjang is an event for making kimchi in large quantities so that it may be stored and eaten during the winter. Since kimchi is the most basic side dish in Korean dining, this is considered a major family event in preparation for the cold season.

 Annually my mother goes to hometown and makes Kimchi with ant and grandma, and brings them home. Eating Kimchi, that is a matter of course. However, I had no chance to make Kimchi and actually this is my first time to make Kimchi.

 

 

About 30 foreigners participated in Kimjang in MANNAM Volunteer and there were other volunteers. Including me, all my friends were excited to do our new experience.

 

 

Some of them tastedextemporaneously, gave the piece of Kimchi each other, sang a song and danced.

 

 

 That made good atmosphere and all MANNAM volunteers can enjoy that time. By increasing our temperature, all of us could concentrate to do Kimjang and we finished that ahead of time.
 

 

Finished the volunteer work, we went to eat Korean traditional meal. Started from Korean traditional pancake, there were Korean chicken soup, egg cooking and so on. With amount of cooking, I ate my fill. Various and delicious foods made us happy and friendly.  

 
   Activities with MANNAM are always exciting. I can feel others consideration and peaceful heart. Including Kimjang, I am gaining good experiences with MANNAM. If you want peace and make them real, how about come and join us?

MANNAM International, Korean Class - Beginner Class study MANNAM Volunteer Busan South

MANNAM Volunteer had a Korean Class last Saturday.

Despite the freezing weather, many students attended class.

 

First of all, teacher checked homework before the class began.

Then, they tested on the words as homework.

 

 

The class began and Korean studied engrosses them whole time and attention.

After the class is over, we had birthday party for Dec. students.

 

 

And then, we went to China restaurant to celebrate thier birthday.

We had nice dinner together.

Busan Fireworks Festival 2013, MANNAM International - MANNAM Korean Class events

Busan Fireworks Festival 2013

MANNAM Volunteer Association is a  global organization that has brought joy to many lives in Korea. They not only provide services for those in need but provide a sense of community for Koreans and foreigners living in Korea. Living as a foreigner in Korea, I've found comfort here; MANNAM International makes one feel at home. Over the past year I have been involved in a number of MANNAM events. Last winter I participated in a volunteer event making Kimchi for those unable to make it themselves. I really enjoyed this event as it gave me insight on Korea's main traditional food and how it is made. I also attended a Korean Cultural experience where participants learned about traditional Korean pottery and were taught how to create their own bowls and dishes from clay! It was an exciting experience I will never forget,

 

Recently I've been attending a Korean classes for beginners. This class is organized by MANNAM and I have the priviledge of working with some wonderful teachers and classmates. These teachers volunteer their time and efforts to teaching people from all over the world how to speak Korean. In this class we learn how to read Hangul and some basic conversation topics. I learn so much every week! The people at MANNAM are not ordinary people. They are special because they love you before they even know you! They give their all in whatever they do. They help foreigners feel at home in another country by spreading their message of world peace through their actions.
In October, Busan put on it's annual Fireworks Festival. This is one of my favorite times of the year! This year MANNAM invited our Korean class to watch the fireworks together. They organized a place for us to meet and even rented a space on top of the Soho Hospital in Gwangan for us to watch the fireworks.  That evening my classmates and I got together to meet our teacher Linda. She met us at the subway station and walked us to the hospital. We got there just in time to watch the spectacular show where we had one of the best views in the city! In addition to watching fireworks, there were complimentary Kimchi rice balls, coffee, and green tea. The experience was unforgettable and it was even better to share it with our wonderful teachers and all the students in Korean class. It was a magical night!

 

I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to participate and be involved with MANNAM. Their love and kindness shows in everything they do. I believe world peace will be achieved because of organizations such as MANNAM and the people who volunteer there.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Hill, USA

“cultural experience” in MANNAM’s Korean class!

Today, the day of “cultural experience" 

in MANNAM’s Korean class!!

I always thought how to introduce Korea to foreigners who love Korea.

Finally I grabed a chance through “Dongrae Eupseong historical festival”!

The weather was good! :)

10:30A.M. We met at Dongrae station, took taxies and started to go to 

Dongrae Eupseong for field experience!

We got a fancy hat at the entrance and took the group photo 

in front of the tiger and cow, then our tour began.

Elizabeth contiuously took pictures for getting interesting views.

Next, we saw traditional tightrope performance!

Professional woman ran and sat on the high rope.

I was afraid that she fell down from the rope when she jumped,

but it was perfect and fantastic performance!

Everyone cried, “Amazing"

Second course was traditional Hanbok experience! (it is very popular)

My foreigner friends was like korean when they put on bright and colorful Hanbok

Next of the Hanbok experience center , there was prison experience center

We picked up sword and spear, 

was beaten a stick, 

leg-screw punishment, 

and experienced prison

It was unique experience.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall, Sand art was progressed, so we moved in quickly

Time was already 2:00 P.M, after we saw the beautiful sand painting.

Finally we headed to the food marketplace and ate many Korea food : chicken skewers, acorn, Korea pancake, beef soup, dumplings, sweet rice drink, dongdongju, tteokbokyi, suyuk, etc.

4:00P.M.

Our short but special experience ended

Korean class students said “Thanks for helping us to experience Korea.

We were happy to help them, and also we got special memories.

I wish I could beautiful memories for Korea again through MANNAM

[MANNAM Korean Class] 3rd semester Korean Class





Welcome to Korean class in MANNAM.
 I think every language has the country's thinking, mind,  culture because human uses the language.
 Learning Korean through MANNAM helps you have this great chance to study for there are people in MANNAM korean class who have beautiful mind.

Lectures will begin on Sept. 7. Before starting the lectures, we have the orientation at 5:00 pm  in the Gwang-An office on  Aug. 31 (Sat). 

Also, classes are run for 15weeks.

 

This is Time Table. If you want join any courses, please contact to the teacher. Thank you!

 

[MANNAM International] MANNAM Volunteer Association Busan South Korean class went on a field trip to Hulksilu.

I first found out about MANNAM last year, when I was approached by a very nice and friendly representative at the Kyongsung-Pukyong subway stop last year. I was informed about the free Korean and other cultural classes offered. I began to learn Korean by myself, mastering the alphabet and a few useful word and phrases. Having had to let the opportunity to go to a class pass me by last year, somehow miraculously the same opportunity presented itself to me around the same time this year. I enthusiastically signed up for my free Korean class. I was enthusiastically greeted and lead into an awesome experience, for which I am very thankful.  
I was impressed by my first Korean lesson. Teaching students English every working day, I was excited to be a student again, and learn something new. The experience of learning Korean exposed me to a role reversal, and helped me to understand my own students learning English. Repetition, slow pace, and positive attitude are key. It was nice and exciting to meet other foreigners interested in learning Korean. Linda’s cheerful and happy smile and steady teaching pace helped us all absorb the new Korean vocabulary and phrases fast.

Our trip to Gijang, “Hulksilu” was great too. We met other MANNAM Korean teachers and foreigners. We took the bus and when we got off we were welcomed at the traditional Korean place.

The restaurant was in a little traditional Korean village, with traditional wooden Korean houses. We first had a delicious traditional Korean meal inside. Then we watched how rice cakes were made outside in the yard. We were able to take turns beating and crushing rice dough with a heavy wooden hammer. We could sample the cut up pieces rolled in yellow bean powder. They tasted amazingly soft and warm.

Then we walked around the property. There was a small zoo including monkeys, baby bears, guinea pigs and birds, and a botanical garden. We played traditional Korean games outside, competing to win prizes.
I am very thankful to have began my Korean language and cultural learning experience, and look forward to many more new experiences with MANNAM.

Lenka Graner

[MANNAM Korean Class] Basic Class - Busan South Korean Class

 

I’m sure you’ve all struggled in the past to learn Korean, fiddling around with those ever-confusing verbs and adjectives. And, It is hard to study alone.

But,!!MANNAM Korean Class can help you study Korean.

Korean Class is held every week from 2~9pm in Busan.

Foreigner people in Korea are interested in learning Korean.

MANNAM Korean Class is providing free classes to foreigners who wish to attend classes.

There are 6 classes according to level; Beginner, Basic1, Basic2, Intermidiate, Speaking and Writing.

Also, we have activity program in 16weeks. It will  so fuuny time to you.

When you need to learn korean more systematically, come and join with us.

Let's work together, and everyone can enjoy Korean Class.