KSAT

Korea has it's own version of the SAT's here. It's coming up; November 13th is the big day. What's the big deal you ask? Well, the KSAT is only offered once a year. That's right, if you mess up, you have to wait a whole year before you can take it again. This is the only exam all of high school prepares you for. You can't get into a University without a good score.

What's the big deal? I had a conversation with a student about this. Apparently the stress is so intense that it is almost certain that a student will jump off one of the buildings that day in order to end their life. You would think with this kind of information, you might only pick single level buildings or not allow students to exit until the end of the test. Nope. People talk about it as if it's not a big deal and they go about their day.

Public transportation is increased on this day and also businesses start 1hr later than usual to allow all transportation to be given to the students. Not only that, but a student can call a police officer to give them a ride if they are running late. What??? Well since guns are illegal and violence is basically non-existent because all Koreans see one another as family, this is the police man's only responsibility. He better fill up his tank the night before.

Do you think I'm finished? No way. If schools host the KSAT; whatever students go to that particular school have the day off. They get a "rest" as Koreans say.

After the KSAT, it is an unwritten rule that students no longer have to go to school. They view this as a passage into adulthood. Students only study for the purpose of the KSAT, once it is complete, nothing else matters. The school year doesn't finish until March, but students stop showing up or come but only socialize. They feel indestructible because no one can tell them what to do. They have finished their task to enter a University. What happens to those who do not perform well? They stop going to school and enter a private institute to begin their studying for next year's test. No emphasis on a diploma. Weird huh?

So after all this nonsense is done, students go crazy and dye their hair (bleach) and girls get really long hair extensions. In two short weeks the streets of Gangnam will be filled with high school seniors that have bleached hair or ridiculously long hair extensions. Life in Seoul is never boring.

I just found out the Christmas is a "couples holiday". No time for explanation....it has to be done another time. A sneak peak: I am not very happy with the newly discovered information!!