Ex-Pys' Article

14 days in the 38^th International Youth Camp, Republic of Korea
From PY to CAMPER!!!
3-16 August 2003

by Sarochinee SOMRAT (NOON) KNCU-10

PART  I

My experience in IYC ( International Youth Camp) was started since March 2003 when the Korean National Commission for UNESCO open the door for youths from all over the world to the 38^th IYC in South Korea through http://youth.unesco.or.kr/iyc . The IYC provides international exchange activities and 10 days of work camp where the participants will experience many opportunities for self-development, physical conditioning and intellectual stimulation by living and working together with participants from around the world aims promoting international understanding and cooperation, inspiring people to respect human dignity and solidarity, and encourage the development of a higher work ethic to gain a better understanding of themselves, each other and the world around them.

I applied for IYC directly to Youth Team, Korean National Commission for UNESCO by sending a completed application form to iyc@unesco.or.kr .

It is also possible to send by post :

Youth Team, Korean National Commission for UNESCO

C.P.O. Box 64, Seoul, Korea

Remark : Please refer the updated information from http://youth.unesco.or.kr/iyc

Then the day that I was waiting for has arrived, 10th July !!!!, I have been contacted by youth team that I was selected to participate the 38^th IYC, KNCU-10!!!

You may question, what the KNCU-10 is?? All right, you will get an answer soon….

The 38^th IYC is under the topic “Youth in action” provides work camp on 3 categories that point in different themes ;

1. Peace and Human Rights
2. Environment
3. Cultural Heritage

Each category will be divided into different work camp sites (what we call KNCU : Korean National Commission for UNESCO) where we have to do different kinds of voluntary work. We can choose 4 work camps ( from the following detail ) that we would like to participate. The work camp will be decided for each participant by the committee upon the principle of meeting of the country, gender, age balance of each work camp.

The Peace and Human Rights theme include of ;

KNCU-01 : Nanumui-jib : A house of sharing, a home for comfort woman survivors or sex slaves during World War II / Gwangju city

KNCU-02 : Sky dream school : School for helping resettlement and providing proper education for young North Korean defectors in South Korean / Cheonan city

The Environment theme include of ;

KNCU-03 : Seomjin river : To improve the environment around Seomjin river, the fourth longest river in Korea / Gokseong, Jellanam city

KNCU-04 : Woopo wetland : It is only wetland in Korea that retains its original area. To make artificial wetland and create an exhibition for an elementary student / Changnyong city

KNCU-05 : UNESCO Culture Center : To promote national campaign Forest for Life to increase international awareness of global importance of mountain ecosystems / Icheon city

KNCU-06 : Forest Community Foundation : To introduce the villagers with eco tourism and help them to understand the necessities to keep their natural resourses in cultural and environmental friendly way / Myongdalli, Yangpyeong city

KNCU-07 : Cheorwon Ecological Center : The Korean Association for Bird Protection. To make a habitat for migration birds / Cheorwon city

KNCU-08 : Environment Research Institution of Yarae : To help restore the ecosystem of damaged areas and to preserve the natural resources of the park in Yaraedong / Jeju island

The Cultural Heritage theme include of ;

KNCU-09 : Jungson Arrirang School : To learn Arrirang (the most popular folk song), to redecorate old school building and to provide a diverse culture asset to children visiting this school./ Kangwon city

KNCU-10 : Gyeongju Namsan Institute : To experience various culture activities in Gyeongju where abundant culture assets of ancient Shilla Dynasty are found / Gyeongju city

KNCU-11 : Hanok Cultural Center : To restore and protect Hanok (Korean Traditional House) / Hamyang, Kyeongnam city

Then my luggage’s ready, my heart is much more than saying it’s ready…it is the first day of my adventure in Korea!! 3rd August at Inchoen International Airport where I first meet the other 9 Thai representatives who apply for IYC in different ways and will attend different work camps.

- Mr. Chaiyut PIPITANASERN (Aek) chaiyut114@yahoo.com KNCU-04

- Mr. Chatchawan LORSUWANSIRI (Jet) chaijet@hotmail.com KNCU-03

- Mr. Noppakao NA PATTHALUNG (Nop) non19752001@yahoo.com KNCU-06

- Mr. Suradech KHLONGMONGKHON (Doey) sk38129@hotmail.com KNCU-02

- Ms. Chanida KATEREUNGROTE (Tum) davie_tumie@hotmail.com KNCU-11

- Ms. Charunee REKHAWASIN (Aui) rekhawasin@hotmail.com KNCU-04

- Ms. Orapan KONGTAN (Or) okongtan@yahoo.com KNCU-09

- Ms. Pantipar PONGCHAIRERKS (Pang) partipan@hotmail.com KNCU-07

The above participants are selected by Thai Youth Hostels Association. For more information, please check www.tyha.org . 

- Mr. Rachaphol CHANANON (Ohme) ohmerach81@yahoo.com KNCU-10

Selected by YMCA.

But it is also possible to apply direct to UNESCO without any supported organization as ME ^^

Korea greets me with a lovely fresh and misty morning (even they say it is a SUMMER!!). My first impression from Korea after putting the first step on Korean soil is a very clean country (even a garbage can is quite not easy to find!!). Chewing gum is the MOST popular for old people and roller skates is the MOST popular for young children. I see Korean people with the both things almost everywhere!!

We are warmly welcomed by a reception team at the airport where I meet my first Korean friend “Ashley” Ms. JEON Hyun Jin ( JEON is her surmane, Hyun Jin is her given name. Some of new Korean generation create their own English nicknames for foreigners to be easier to call.). She greeted me with her cute chubby smile and say “Anyonhaseyo* …Are you Thai camper??” Then I replied “Camper?!? Ahh.. Yes!! I am Thai Camper!! Anyonhaseyo!!! Sawaddee kha!!!!” (^^) “Camper” is what we are called as an IYC participating youth.

Picture of Yeongjong do and the mainland

Then, we’re moved by a shuttle bus to UNESCO Cultural Center, Incheon city. Along the way, we can see a beautiful scene with green mountains covered with a pine surround us. More than 70% of the country is mountains, so we can see many houses and churches lie up to the mountains ..it’s so pretty.. like a land in a fairy tale!!! In Korea, the driving lane is reverse to Thailand.

On the road, one thing that notice me for Korean Nationalism is every car is Korean branded such as Kia, Ssangyong, Samsung and Hyundai. I sense their proudness of their country that I think it is one of the most important thing to make Korean succeed in their resuscitation and be the country nowadays.

The bus takes us across Inchoen Airport Expressway or Yeongjong Bridge*. It is a very long bridge over a part of Yellow sea, the big sea that is the birthplace of “the mist” of summer morning.

The reception team tells us that it will take about 2 hours to get to UNESCO Cultural Center. I am fascinated by the lovely city and the beautiful green view along the road , and don’t know when I fall in a nap…

* Anyonhaseyo = Hello

* Inchoen International Airport is in an island names “Yeongjong do”