The edited speech
delivered at the Valedictory Dinner of the Korean Studies Workshop
Program, by Australian participant and group leader, Lee Grafton
(Access Asia Program, Department of Education, Training and Employment,
South Australia) is reproduced here.
On our inaugural day
of the Korean Studies Workshop it rained. I think it was Professor
Ra who commented on this as an auspicious sign for a bountiful
harvest to come. Little did we realise just how much of a harvest
we, as participants of the KSWP, would reap through the outstanding
program the Korea Foundation has delivered through Korea University
for these twelve days.
We have been deeply
honoured to be your guests in your splendid university and in
your magnificent country, to be able to be a part of the workshop
and reflect upon and respond to the challenges, ideas, questions
and problems posed by your esteemed professors who so frankly
shared with us the depth of Korean culture, life and society in
both past and present contexts.
But what does all this
add up to? Why has the KSWP made such a large impression, what
will it lead to?
Whilst Korea is of
inestimable importance to Australians economically, and although
the Korean language has been delegated as one of four priority
Asian languages for study in Australian schools, Korea itself
had remained a 'terra incognita' for most Australians. The KSWP
has done much to rectify this situation. It has challenged stereotypical
views we held; it has informed and enriched our understanding
of these things that we as educators and global citizens share
in common and it has highlighted and celebrated differences. We
have indeed harvested the brilliance of Korean life, thought and
ritual.
We represent teachers
across Australia and the Asia Education Foundation. You will know
that since 1993 over 60 educators from Australia have participated
in the KSWP. I mentioned on the day of my arrival in Seoul the
mighty reputation that the KSWP holds amongst educators in Australia.
We now have experienced how that reputation was gained and know
how that reputation is shared amongst our New Zealand, Canadian
and United States colleagues with whom we have formed a learning
community throughout the workshop.
Our task now remains
to take home our new learnings and understandings, to teach and
share with our colleagues and students all our experiences and
impressions and to ensure that the studies of Korea grow in strength
in Australia.
In bidding you all
farewell the Australian educators and the Asia Education Foundation
wish to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr Lee Jeong-Biu
and Dr Kim Jung-Bae and all their staff, the eminent professors,
workshop directors, organisers and student assistants who have
provided us with a magnificent harvest of plenty. Your generosity
is received with our enduring appreciation. I know I can say on
behalf of all of the participants of the 1998 Korean Studies
Workshop, how our lives have been touched and changed forever
in this 'Land of the Morning Calm'.
Annyonghi Kyeseyo
Kamsa Hamnida
