KOREA FOUNDATION

ACH REVIEW

Class Trip to the ASEAN Culture House
By_Hwang Gi-do, Teacher, Grade 3, Class 3, Haesong Elementary School

Recently, my class went to the ASEAN Culture House for a field trip. We walked through a street lined with king cherry trees and metasequoias like a tunnel. At the entrance, we took a group photo in front of a jeepney, a bus from the Philippines. Then, an instructor at the venue led us up to the seminar room on the second floor.

First, we learned about ASEAN countries and painted key chains in the shape of chut thai, the traditional Thai attire. After that, we were divided into groups and viewed two exhibitions. For the field trip, our plan was to see the special exhibition on the first floor and the permanent exhibition on the second floor under the guidance of a docent.

On the first floor, we saw an exhibition called “Tea Time & Coffee Break.”Photographs of landscapes printed with pigments extracted from tea leaves and installation art about coffee and tea time may have been a little difficult to understand for third graders. Still, they figured them out and enjoyed them with children's own imagination.

In the permanent exhibition hall on the second floor, we saw various exhibits from ASEAN countries. I thought of Southeast Asia as one of the most popular travel destinations for summer holidays, but our docent showed us a completely different world. Looking at the exhibits in person and learning about the myths, religions, cultures, and traditions of ASEAN countries gave us an opportunity to see these Southeast Asian countries, which I had merely considered a place for vacations, in a new light.

The ASEAN Culture House is a place of learning for a wide range of audiences, from elementary school students to adults. It's also great for families and schools. For a more in-depth experience, I would recommend going with a smaller grouprather than a whole grade of students.