TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)

Last Sunday, I took the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)--the Basic Level--in Seoul. It's usually held about twice a year in Korea and in countries around the world. In 2009, 180 000 people took the test. It includes vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and writing.

The test was held at Kyung Hee University and there were hundreds of people from all different countries taking different levels of the test (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced).

For anyone who will be taking the test, I used the Complete Guide to the TOPIK and a book I bought with tests from previous years. Both were really helpful. Knowing the types of questions, vocabulary, and grammar that would be on the test in advance made taking the test much easier.

Now, time to start preparing for the next level!

Update on the University of Brain Education

This is the new website homepage (not so new now) for the University of Brain Education (UBE). Now that I've been at the university for over two and a half years, I have a better sense of the kinds of programs that are offered here so thought I would share.

The university has three departments: Brain Education, Peaceology, and Kukhak.

Many of the students enrolled in the Brain Education program are teachers, parents, and professionals working in the field of education or health, who are interested in Brain Education as an approach to supporting the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of children and adults. Courses offered include those such as Cognitive Neuroscience, Child Development, Psychology, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Brain Education Philosophy and Practice, Brain Education and Creativity, Counselling, and the Brain and Physical Health.

Recently, the department has been focusing on researching the "Happy School Program", a school-wide program based on the Brain Education approach that has been implemented in schools throughout Korea.

UBE also offers online courses, which allow students from our university to obtain credits but also provide continuing education credits for those who are teachers. I took one of the courses last semester about preventative lifestyle changes, exercises, and healing (based on a Korean approach to healing called Hwalgong) for different health problems often experienced by students and teachers. It was full of useful information and practical tools that I could easily apply.

The Brain Trainer program is also run by the University of Brain Education. It is a National Certification program which certifies people to become "Brain Trainers". Anyone who has obtained an undergraduate degree can work towards this certification by taking a written and practical test. An online course is also available. Those who pass the certification must show knowledge and skills about the brain and methods for brain health assessment, training, and ongoing evaluation. Training is also available to organizations. Recently, for example, a certified Brain Trainer provided training for a group of women from a Women's Career Center in Seoul.

The Department of Brain Education recently started offering a program for parents called "Parent Coaching". The program offers tips for parenting using the Brain Education approach and related knowledge from the fields of applied neuroscience, psychology, education, and nutrition.

Peaceology is the academic study and research of an approach to peace called Peaceology. Peaceology includes a concrete plan for action and vision that is based on a philosophy that espouses the betterment of all humanity. In Korean, this is called the "Hongik" philosophy, which served as the philosophy of the Han people (see below in the Kukhak section) and interestingly is also the motto of the modern Korean education system. The action plan for peace contained in Peaceology includes Brain Education as an approach to helping individuals become healthier, happier, and more peaceful. Many of the students enrolled in this program are from NGOs involved in Peace Studies. The courses offered also include those related to the issue of reunification of the Korean peninsula.

The purpose of the department of Kukhak is to study and revive the philosophy and practices of traditional Sundo, a philosophy which originated with the Han people (different from the "Han" Chinese), who lived in parts of North-east Asia thousands of years ago and who encouraged its citizens to develop themselves and contribute to the betterment of others. Many of the students enrolled in this department are involved in work to promote the recovery of this ancient history, culture and philosophy. The Kukhak Department often sponsors conferences and seminars.

There is lots more to share about the university. I'll keep working on my Korean so I can understand and share more. Stay tuned... :)

The Consequences of Thinking Too Much

Although research shows that thinking stimulates certain areas of the brain, it also points to the dangers of "thinking too much".

One study found that people who have to make difficult decisions and were sure about their answers had more brain cells in their frontal lobe, in an area called the anterior prefrontal cortex. The frontal lobe (located as its name suggests at the front of your brain) plays a key role in higher mental functions such as motivation, planning, social behaviour, and speech production. The part of the frontal lobe, called the anterior prefrontal cortex, has been linked to integrating the outcomes of two or more separate cognitive operations in the pursuit of a higher behavioural goal.

Research also warns that worrying and brooding about a decision can have a negative impact on working memory, the kind of memory used to remember recent events and to use this information for something, such as remembering where you parked your car. The results of the study suggested that thinking too much about decisions can lead to difficulties with memory and depression.

To read more, you can find a link to the article here:

It's good to think, but not too much

Admiral Yi Sunshin

While visiting the King Sejong exhibition in Seoul, I also had a chance to visit the exhibit of Admiral Yi Sunshin. Yi Sunshin is known as a great admiral of the Korean Navy during the late 16th century of the Joseon Dynasty who was said to have shown great courage and creativity during battles with Ming and Japan over 7 years. The exhibit also features the famous battleship, the Panokseon (panel-covered ship), and the Geobukseon (the turtle ship), known to be the best attack ship in its day.