Bukta Nikolett

북타 니콜레뜨
Name in Latin Alphabet:	Bukta Nikolett
Nationality:	헝가리
Affiliation:	Eötvös Loránd University

Introduction

Sziasztok!

My name is Nikolett Bukta but everybody calls me Niki. I am from Hungary but no, I am not hungry. How am I here on this program? Well, that is kind of a long story so please make yourself comfortable in your seat, grab some popcorn and enjoy the tale.

My interest in Korean culture and Korean language started back in high school in 2011. Some of my closest friends started to listen to KPOP but soon they grew on me with all this fangirling because of their oppas, so I didn’t want to get into their new world of Korea. Later on I gave in and for the first time I watched a drama parody of Secret Garden by Bigbang, It was actually pretty funny so I let my friends show me more of the songs they listened to, and the movies they watched. Later on I started to read the English translation of the songs and I realized I want to know more about Korean language. Thanks to the TV shows and variety shows I got a little insight of the traditional Korean culture as well. My interest in this country just grew and grew as the time went on. However the gradutation of high school came and everybody was panicing. Which university should I go to? What should be my major? Of course I was also one of those students that couldn’t stop thinking about these „life changing” questions. In the past 12 years of school life I was always keen on languages. I learnt German, English, even Russian for a year (now I cannot even read the letters, good job me), therefore I knew that the one and only subject that will keep my interest at the university (and could be the main drive of my carrier) will be a language. I didn’t want to learn an other European language because everybody can do that. I wanted something special and unique. I was still listening to Korean songs, read articles about Korean culture and the news, so I was thinking: „Why don’t I just mix business with pleasure?” And so I did.

In Hungary there is only one university that has Korean department, so I applied there and surprise surprise I got accepted. At ELTE at The Faculties of Humanities you have to choose a minor as well. Back then I had no idea what I should choose, Korean studies already seemed like a bit of challange. That is why I let my mom convince me to study Chinese language as well. (Yes. That is completely reasonable.) Our department is quite small, it was established in 2008, that is why there were only 30 people in my class. In my opinion it is so much better than having 200 people in your class though. This way you can form a little family, get to know everybody and the teachers also have more time for one person. However in Hungary the opportunities for a Korean scholarship are very limited so there is always a competition going on between the classmates. That’s when friends become foes. (Just kidding…kind of.)

In Hungary we don't have Hungarian Korean language teachers, therefore our university invites Korean teachers to teach us Korean language in English. It is quite a challenge for the first semester but after a while I got used to it and it was perfectly normal. In the past 3 years I learnt about Korean history, Korean traditional/modern culture, linguistics, literature and I also acquired a basic knowledge about the Eastern Asian countries. In the last semester I wrote my final thesis about Hanbok and its development throughout the years. I graduated right before this program and I am planning to start my Master's degree in Hungary but later apply for a Korean scholarship so I can finish the Master's program in Korea.

In the future I wish to become a Korean language teacher in Hungary to help developing the relationship between the two countries. I would not mind translating books to Hungarian so more people could read about this country and all of its beauties.

Life in AKS

This is my first time in Korea. The idea was a little bit scary for the first time but right after I got here I felt like I was at home. I got a perfect roommate, Di Marino Laury. I have made friends even on my first day here and I finally tried kimchi. Everybody is very kind, friendly and open-minded here. The academy is located in a beautiful area, I am really glad that we can see a lot of nature instead of high buildings and we are not disturbed by public transportation noises. The accomodition is very modern, well-equipped and comfortable. The schedule is really tight so we never have time to be bored. I like how the amount of lectures and field trips are balanced. We are able to learn so much throughout these classes.

Language Courses

In the past month we have had 10 language classes. In Hungary the point of the language courses is to learn as many grammar and words as possible but here, during the AKS summer program it was completely different. The teachers know that it is impossible to teach the whole Korean language in one monh that is why they mainly focus on one thing: speaking. At the university I hardly ever talk in Korean, only when the teacher asks me question and I have to give a quick answer but here I felt the need to say as much as possible, use the language as often as possible during the lecture. I got into the intermediate class and it was quite a challange to be in the same group with people who have already been to Korea at least one time for a longer period of time. However I did not let this scare me, it actually motivated me to achieve their level. Our teacher was very patient, she always helped us and made sure everybody takes part of the classes. Even though the 3 hours long classes seemed very long for the first time (in Hungary we only have 90 minutes long lectures) but as the time went on and I started to get used to it, the courses passed really fast. Also I was always looking forward to the teacher’s interesting stories that we would never hear anywhere else. For the last class I had to prepare a presentation about my country which was quite a challange since I have never had to hold a presentation in Korean. At the end I felt really proud of myself and I liked how this program always made me try new things. It was a pleasant 4 weeks and I wish I could spend more time with our teacher.

Taekkyeon 택견

Taekkyeon class.

On the 20th of July we went to the KOUS (Korean Culture House), which is located in Gangnam in Seoul. On the bus we have heard a little introduction of the programmes that we will be participating in, so when I heard that there is going to be martial arts lesson, which is not only useful but also funny-looking I was really looking forward to the lecture. I have never heard about Taekkyeon before, therefore I had to rely on my imagination to figure out how can martial arts be effective and dance-like at the same time. Some people have told me that we will wear those comfortable white outfits, that martial arts masters usually wear. That is why I was a little bit disappointed when I didn’t see the teachers carrying 30 folded, white outfits. (Advice for the future participants: wear comfortable and stretchy outfits! I didn’t do that so the high kicks were very difficult) There were two teachers, one that explained and cooardinated the whole lecture in Korean, while the other one helped individuals if they had difficulties following the instructions. The teacher was really funny, and made sure that everybody had fun during the one hour that we spent there. At the beginning we started with a quick warm-up, therefore nobody could get seriously injured afterwards. (The exercises seemed way too easy for us, so the teacher decided to make everything more and more difficult so we can laugh at each other….or he can laugh at us.) After the warm-up we learnt the well-known dance-like movements which was a lot of fun to do. I hope one of our teachers recorded us doing it so we can laugh at it together when we watch it back. After the hand wiggling, we had to find partners to practice with. To loosen up the athmosphere between the pairs, we played games that I have only seen in Korean variety shows and dramas before. Right after the many laughters we learnt how to kick really high and how to defend ourselves if somebody was about to kick us. Even though me and my partner, Katie Morris tried really hard to follow the hand and leg movements, the all time winner of the program was Martina Rydza, who had to play the role of the partner of the teacher. Everytime they demonstrated the new movements, he picked her up as if she was as light as a feather. (However I am 100% sure, when it seemed like Tina toppled down the teacher, in reality, he fell on purpose.) Over all it was a pleasant 60 minutes of martial arts and I would have never imagined I could laugh so much during such a lecture.

Samulnori 사물놀이

Samulnori class.

On the 21st of July after the Korean language and History of Korean classes, we had our very first Samulnori lesson. We were able to choose our own instruments and I picked buk북. Back then I didn’t know, that I actually made the right choice. It is very easy to play on buk, while ont he contrary the majority of the group chose janggu 장구, what requires two right hands. (Or two left hands if you are left-handed). Even the way they had to hold the sticks seemed very uncomfortable and complicated. We spent 2 hours with memorizing a short rythm, which was a lot of fun thanks to the teacher. He was very patient with us even though we have made mistakes so many times. I liked how he called everybody either 형님 or 누나, when he „scolded” them. He made sure everybody had a great time during the lecture but learned what was necessary. At the beginning everybody was very moderate at the beginning, however as the time went on I noticed that everybody became so much more confident with their instruments and weren’t scared to hit it anymore. I was really focused on the instructions he gave us because even in primary school I really liked music classes and I have always wished to learn to play at least one instrument. (Sadly I still don’t know how to play any instruments, but maybe one day.) However there was one time when my thoughts were somewhere else and I accidentally made a mistake throughout the practice. Little did I know that if somebody made a mistake at the time I did, they received a punishment. After inquiring where I am from, the teacher told me I have to sing a Hungarian song in front of the whole class. Of course I was way too shy to do that (and the song is really difficult for me) so he only gave me a yellow card for my mistake. Throughout the 2 hours the whole class received yellow cards but nobody had to sing a song. (Although I wished somebody did.) I really enjoyed the lecture and I cannot wait for the next class coming up on next Monday.

No. 3 Tunnel & Dorasan Observatory

Dorasan Observatory.

On the end of the second week of the program, on the 22nd of July we went to the DMZ area to learn more about the relationship between North and South Korea. After an interesting lecture by a North Korean lady, who introduced North Korea and the history between the two countries we went to the No.3 Tunnel at Dorasan. One side of the Tunnel was created by North Korean soldiers firstly to reach South Korea underground, afterwards South Korean soldiers also started to dig a long tunnel to force the North Korean soldiers to turn back. In modern times we do not have to walk down 300m underground to see these tunnels, a modern train-like vehicle can easily bring everybody down to the destination. The train is quite interesting, it felt like we were sitting on a roller coaster ride, however as soon as we entered the entrance of the long tunnel the temperature dropped. After getting off the train, since I am so much taller than the Korean soldiers who built the tunnel, I had to walk through the whole tour like an old lady with a heavy backpain. At the end of the tunnel, well, at the middle of the tunnel there was a little hole in the wall where we were able to peek through to see the North Korean side of the underground route. This was the first time when I was able to say I have seen North Korea. Right after the tunnel we went to the Dorasan Observatory where we had a little bit cloudy but beautiful view of the whole demilitarized green zone plus even a little part of North Korea. It was truly an amazing adventure and I hope later I will be able to see the JSA area as well.

Seoul Museum of History

Inside of the Museum.

On the 3rd of August after the Han River Cruise and making our own Seals we went to the Museum of History in Seoul. As always the surrounding around the museum was beautiful and the building was enourmous. Inside there were numerous exhibitions such as the Choseon dynasty period, Seoul today and its future and so on. People can also have a cup of coffe if they want to take a break, they are also able to buy some souvenirs after going around in the building. We have listened to a guide for an hour about Korea and its period during the Joseon dynasty. In museums, sometimes it is quite difficult to hear the guide’s explanations perfectly but the Seoul History Museum made sure we would never miss anything. We listened to the guide through headphones. This way we could go around, take pictures of various objects and hear everything clearly at the same time. I wish more museums would follow this method, it is really useful. During that one hour I was able to see plentiful relics from the Joseon dynasty such as hanbok, maps, developments from the great King Sejong, the whole structure of the period’s cities and so much more. It was fascinating to see so many inventions that people have created more than 500 years ago. Also in an other room we were ablo to see the whole miniature version of the whole city of Seoul from a bird's view. It was truly amazing and I think that was my favorite part of the whole visit.

Local tour

From the 27th of July until the 29th of July we have been on a Local Tour in Gyeongju. On our way to the destination, we stopped at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin. The village is enormous, we could spend an entire day just walking around the traditional houses without getting bored. The main attractions of the folk village are the different kind of performances played in the heart of the place. We were able to experince Nongak (farmer’s music) and martial art on horseback. Unfortunately I could not watch the traditional wedding ceremony because right after the martial art performance a small group of us rushed right to the amusement park. Only for 10000 won we bought a ticket that allowed us to ride everything in the park. We tried the Viking boat (where I am pretty sure we screamed much louder than the little kids), sit on the Tower which was a smaller version of the one in the big amusement parks and the best part, the Haunted House ride. I think we have learnt so much more about each other through these „scary” moments than in the normal daily life situations. (You finally know who is the easiest to scarㅋㅋ) After several delicious Korean meals and a long bus ride we finally arrived in Gyeongju in the late afternoon. The Anapji Area is famous about its beautiful view in the evening and we were lucky enough to experience the fascinating view of the traditional Korean houses in the night lights. The hotel that we stayed at for two nights was probably 10 stars and the view from the 7th floor was amazing.

The next day we have spent the entire day going around in the city and visiting numerous tourist spots. The first stop was the Cheomseongdae observatory and the Cheonmachong Tomb. Thanks to the tourist guide’s informative explanations I could learn so much more about these monuments in a few hours than I could ever do at home. In the past three weeks I have noticed that Korea always does everything differently than other countries and this applies to their National Museum as well. At home National Museum means a huge building containing a lot of ancient relics and antiquities. Here the National Museum consists of 3 building with different themes and the park around the building is beauteous. After an exciting but tiring day spending a few hours at the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu was refreshing.

On the last day of the tour we went to the most exciting places. (at least for me) In the past three years I have constantly heard the names Bulguksa and Seokguram, I had exams based on these topics and I have seen many pictures of the places. That is why they were on my bucket list even before this program started. Back in June, when we received the one month long program schedule and when I saw that we are going to visit Bulguksa and Seokguram, I cannot express how excited I was. During the past three weeks I still couldn’t realize the fact that I am really in Korea, this is reality. It still feels like a dream. However the pictures of Seokgulam are a little bit missleading. The space seems a lot bigger on the pictures than it actually is.ㅋㅋ On the other hand, the whole Bulguksa area is so much bigger than I have imagined. The buildings, the lake, the lanters, the statues, everything is quite sophisticated and peaceful. I am very grateful the teachers organized this little trip for us and showed us so many beautiful things of this city.

Korean Folk Village in Yongin

Anapji at night

Cheonmachong Tomb

Lamps at Bulguksa