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Intercultural Experience

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Inter Cultural Paper

In order to satisfy my thirst regarding the Asian culture and fulfill my “obligation” to my professor and myself I have studied and explored the Korean culture from every possible angle in the past nine weeks. One of the main topics that I found very intriguing and fun was my personal experience in Korea Town when I visited several celebrated sights for my final assignment.
My first visit was at the Korean Cultural Center. The landmark provided a fair share of information about the Korean culture here in Los Angeles. The two stories building had many different exhibits about the past, the present and events that realistically showed the Korean traditional life from every possible angle. Historical artifacts, antic fixtures, customary clothing, paintings, and sculptures were among the many items that represented the vibrant Korean life in every detail. Traditional musical instruments were also represented; the Kayagum 12 string instrument that is used in folk music. The Kayagum is made from a rectangular board of paulownia wood with silk strings stretched across it. Another traditional instrument that got my attention during my stay was the Pyonjong percussion instrument that constructed with two rows of 8 metal bells, thus giving the instrument a range of precisely 16 tones. There were many other different types of plucked string, bowed string, struck string, transverse wind, vertical wind, and percussion instruments just name a few that illustrated the colorfulness of the Korean music history (Angelfire.com, 2011). The visitors were mostly older Koreans and Korean Americans wearing overall contemporary clothing. During my visit I saw approximately fifteen people who were very nice and friendly, quiet well-mannered and helpful when I asked some questions about their traditions. Upon my exit the receptionist provided some useful

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