Destination Spotlight

11 Facts About South Korea

As the 2018 Winter Olympics prepare to kick off, all eyes – including ours! – are on Pyeongchang, South Korea. But we’ve been a fan of South Korea for a long time. It’s a popular destination for our WorldStrides ISA Custom Programs! As the games begin, here are 11 facts about South Korea.

• Children born in South Korea are considered “one year old” when they are born, and will turn two on the next Lunar New Year. 100 days after their birth, a celebration is held for the baby.
• South Korea is the world leader in internet connectivity. Approximately 92% of the country’s population are internet users, and they boast the world’s fastest average connection speed.
• Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea. It’s believed to have been invented approximately 2,000 years ago.
• Lotte World, a major recreation center in Seoul, is home to one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, as well as an outdoor amusement park, an artificial island connected by monorail, shopping malls, museums, and more.
• Red ink is considered bad luck in South Korea. Writing a person’s name in the color signifies the person is dead, or will die soon.
• The number 4 is considered bad luck as it is written the same way as the Chinese character for death. The number is often replaced with the letter “F,” such as when using an elevator.
• “Have you eaten well?” is a common greeting in South Korea, used the way an American may ask “How are you?”
• Teaching is one of the most prestigious and well-paying jobs in the country. On average, teachers make $2,500 per month with teachers at private schools and universities making more.
• South Korean students are required to take a university entrance exam known as the sooneung. On the morning of the test, friends and family gather at high schools to give out candy and wish students good luck.
• It is a law in South Korea that online banking and shopping must be done through Internet Explorer.
• The world’s first astronomical lab, Cheomseongdae Observatory, is located in South Korea. It was built in the mid-600s.

Want to check out South Korea’s internet speed for yourself? Learn more about our WorldStrides ISA Custom Programs.