This year marks the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Chosun-Ilbo, and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mongolia. So Chosun-Ilbo and the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science gave 190 Korean students the opportunity to experience a different culture through the Korea-Mongolia Nomadism Festival. I was one of the lucky 190 students who enjoyed this new cultural experience last summer.


 When we imagine the Mongolia, Genghis Khan and nomadic tribes always come to the mind first. However, in Mongolia today, only 20% of the population live a nomadic life. Because nomads are always moving, they do not cultivate crops. As a result, they do not have any festival like Chu-seok of Korea because there is no harvest to celebrate.  Politically, Mongolia has changed its political system from communism to capitalism, Since 1992, there have been many industrial and economic developments.  
 

 Finally, 4 Korean groups got together at In-cheon International Airport to get on a plane bound for Mongolia On July 22nd. Actually, I was very excited and I couldn't sleep even a wink the whole night before we started. When we arrived at Genghis Khan International Airport, our Mongolian friends welcomed us by waving the Mongolia's national flags. We got on a bus and went to the Bogdkhan National Park. There were so many 'Ger' (traditional Mongolian home) that we stayed for 6 days. When I entered my 'Ger', I saw 5 beds and a table, and a brazier in the center of the 'Ger'. Actually, I couldn't stand anything there because the big blanket surrounding our 'Ger' looked like so dirty, and inside the bed was very hard. I wanted to go back home. 
 

 On the second day of the Korea-Mongolia Nomadism Festival, I met some more Mongolian friends, and we introduced ourselves to each other. Since I do not speak English fluently, I couldn't talk a lot. Some Mongolians' speaking knowledge of English was the same as mine. 
 

 On the third and fourth days of the Korea-Mongolia Nomadism Festival, we experienced real nomadism. Chosun-Ilbo had plans 4 for that. Especially, the most interesting thing of the plans was horseback riding. This was the most interesting part of the festival. The view of the vast Mongolian plains, from horseback, was fantastic! After we rode horses, we did folk dancing. I think I danced with more than 30 friends that night. Although I had sweated a lot, I couldn't take a shower after the folk dance because there was no shower facility. I was not pleased about this, but I felt unbelievable happiness in my mind.
 

 On the last day of the festival, we stayed up all night together in a 'Ger', drinking Genghis Khan whisky. This Mongolian whisky is stronger than Korean soju in alcoholic content. I wondered if there were many heavy drinkers in Mongolia because they drank Korean soju like water.
 

 After talking to my Mongolian friends all day, I could know some new interesting facts about Mongolia. They live like we do. They use touch-type cell phones, and they like teenage stars. My Mongolian friends also know many things about Koreans, as well. They do not think that many Koreans still lived in a country as shown in the 1980's drama, Geonwon-Ilgi. If we really want to know about other countries, It is of great help to spend some time in such countries. On July 26th, it was time to return home. Mongolians and Koreans hugged one another and kept on crying throughout the closing ceremony. We finally waved goodbye from the window of the Genghis Khan Airport.
 This trip has changed my life. Like many other people, I planned to go to Europe. But now, I want to travel more in Asia because I am attracted to Asian who are very similar to us. We can feel what they feel, and they can feel what we feel even if our languages and cultures are different. I was cottoned up to Mongolia through this trip.   
 

Woo Hye-lim, Junior, Dept. of Journalism & Public Relations

저작권자 © 제주대미디어 무단전재 및 재배포 금지