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Three-day Korean culture, language program opens to Team Osan

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Servicemembers stationed at Osan Air Base and their families had the opportunity to participate in a three-day Korean culture and language program for the first time at Pyongtaek University, May 14.

The Head Start Program, funded by the government of Gyeonggi-do and taught by Pyongtaek University, is a three-day program designed to introduce U.S. servicemembers and their families to Korean culture.

The program has been open to members of 8th Army for eight years, but only recently became available to members of 7th Air Force here at Osan. The goal of the program is to give the members of Osan Air Base and their families a better understanding of the culture.

"We always hope to get out of experiences like this a closer partnership, greater understanding of what we're doing here and the role that we play in the local community," said 7th Air Force Chief of Staff Col. Christopher Cotts. "We also hope that with close contact with our Airmen and families that our Korean partners will better understand us and what motivates us to be here protecting this great country."

The class is divided into three days. The first two days are spent in a classroom environment where students learn about Korean history, culture and language. The third day is a trip to cultural or historical site such as the Korean Folk Village or the DMZ. The class is taught by instructors at Pyongtaek University and funded completely by the government of Gyeonggi-do.

"This is not an inconsiderable investment of their time and effort, and so it really is an amazing commitment on their part," Cotts said.

The class is not just for Airmen. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, civilian employees stationed at Osan and their spouses can participate as well. Monica Hyatt, who had only arrived in Korea a month ago, said she jumped at the chance to attend.

"I want to get into the culture of Korea as much as possible," Hyatt said. "I think this will really help me with that."

Cotts said spouses serve as ambassadors for the U.S. and the Air Force, so offering this class to them as well was a priority for the command.

"Helping family members appreciate the culture of this great country is every bit as important as helping our Airmen understand that culture," he said. "And the opportunity for couples to do that together is particularly important. It's a great shared experience."

One of the most popular parts of the class was the language training, where students not only learned basic phrases but the Korean alphabet as well.

"The language training was phenomenal," she said. "They gave us some great phrases and words to start to communicate with those around us."

Hyatt said the class will go a long way to helping her adjust to living in Korea.

"I think it's essential," Hyatt said. "It's so important to get integrated as soon as possible. If you do when you first move here it's so much easier to know what to do and how to behave around others instead of being 'the stupid American.'"

Cotts said Seventh Air Force is grateful for Pyeongtaek University and the Gyeonggi government for making the program a reality.

"This is a real reflection of the longstanding partnership we've had with Gyeonggi Province, particularly the current leadership which has taken steps to strengthen that partnership and deepen its roots," he said. "We are really looking forward to this as a start to even greater partnership between Gyeonggi, the academic community and the U.S. Air Force."