Yes! I am writing TWO posts in one day! But this one will be short, just thought I should share.
Today, all the 3rd year highschool students (equivalent to our grade 12) wrote their college entrance exam. This is an exam that tests their knowledge learned in their past 10 years of schooling and will determine their entire future.
This exam is INCREDIBLY important - considered to be one of the most important days of a Korean's life. Because of this, all elementary schools started at 10. One hour late, just to reduce the traffic in the morning to make sure the highschool students make the test on time. But it's not only elementary schools, the whole nation stops for this test.
"Many offices and the stock market open at 10 a.m., an hour later than usual, to keep the roads free for students on their way to the test. All other students get the day off to keep schools quiet for the test takers. And while students are taking the listening portions of the tests, planes can't land or take off at the nation's airports. Aircraft arriving from other countries are ordered to circle at altitudes above 10,000 feet."
This test is no joke.
Here is an article on the wall street journal about this test. It was not written this year, but is an interesting read nonetheless.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122644964013219173.html
Great Blogging Claudia. I have a great time reading them and remembering how much fun it was to be in Korea. I found a lot of people were sick for long times in Korea, not sure if it is the medicine, or stress but hope you get better soon.
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