18 COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2009

Big problems and

simple solutions Expat Living is a section dedicated to the daily
living of expatriates.
It is printed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
To share stories about your life abroad, send stories
or story ideas to Matthew Lamers at
mattlamers@heraldm.com
Submissions may be edited for length or clarity.

Contributed by the problem of spitting.

the Seoul Global Center

The SGC first launched the Seoul
International Student Forum in
September 2008 to create a think
tank of non-Koreans whose mission is
to help Seoul achieve its goal of be-
coming a truly global city. This year’s
group is comprised of 112 students, 98
international students and 14 Korean
students, who were carefully selected
after a rigorous screening process
which involved submitting resumes
and facing interviews. The selected
members, representing 33 different
countries, are students at over 20 dif-
ferent universities in Korea.
One of the major activities of the
group is to create policy proposals to
help globalize the city and improve
its international image. Policy pro-
posals were submitted in two ways,
group proposals and personal essays,
and were judged by a panel before a
final decision was announced.
Group policy proposals were drafted
by students who collaborated to find
and suggest solutions to problems
ranging from public spitting, housing,
transportation, and the mobile phone
system. In total, 27 policy proposals
were submitted by groups comprised
of 33 students from 8 different coun-
tries.
The following are the best sugges-
tions as chosen by the panel:
“ Campaign”
An old Korean proverb “How could
you spit at a smiling face?” teaches
that being nice to other people will
bring positive results. It is a well-
known proverb that can be understood
by people of all ages, and the emphasis
on “being nice” is also in line with our
intention, which is to ultimately en-
courage people to be more considerate.
For the campaign to work, we need
to first establish an association be-
tween the orange smiley face logo and
the proverb itself. Initially this will
need some advertising on TV, in news-
papers and magazines etc. But more
importantly, it needs to be reinforced in
school. Perhaps a celebrity could also
be persuaded to endorse the campaign.
The orange smiley face logo should
also be placed where people are
mostly likely to spit. The idea is that
when people see the smiley face, they
will remember the Korean proverb
and hence be reminded that it is not
polite to spit in public.
“Chim-parazzi”
We also propose to introduce the
term “chim-parazzi,” a name based on
the Korean word chim, which means
spit; and the English word paparazzi.
As the name suggests, these are un-
dercover officers that look out for peo-
ple who spit in public. As the word
chim-parazzi gains popularity, it will
increase public awareness on the issue
of spitting, which is our ultimate goal.
“No Chim Day”
We propose “No Chim Day,” where
people are encouraged to refrain from
spitting on the streets on that day.
This may be displayed in calendars
and announced in the media. As the
name is very straightforward, “No
Chim Day” is easily recognizable and
aims to increase awareness regarding
Willa Lin (Australia), Agnieszka
Szamborska (Poland), Ha Yu-na
(South Korea), Nadian Ab Aziz
(Malaysia) and Renda Jeewanthi
(Sri Lanka) wrote the policy sugges-
tions. — Ed.
Mobile service system
Problem 1: One of the major
problems of phone registration for
foreigners is the government regula-
tion which stipulates the need for an
Alien Registration Card. The big is-
sue is getting an Alien Registration
Card the first day of arrival in Korea.
The ARC is issued within a week of
application and is only granted to
those who are going to reside in
Korea for more than 90 days.
During the period that you wait for
your ARC to be processed, you have
no access to a personal phone. Or you
can choose to rent one or pay full price
to buy a contract phone. Accordingly,
any document that you fill out, for ex-
ample to open a bank account, the
contact number space will be vacant,
or you must give someone else’s num-
ber. This is not a good approach to
dealing with private information and
security.
Constructive Solutions: All stu-
dents shoul be able to register
phones with their certificate of stu-
dentship while their ARC is being
processed and then later register ful-
ly with their ARC. Another solution
is to use a phone recycling system.
Problem 2: For mobile phones in
Korea, only two languages are auto-
matically installed on new phones,
Korean and English. And the
English text system does not have
predictive text.
Constructive Solution: We sug-
gest free language installation ser-
vices in English, Chinese, Japanese
and Russian. This change will not
only bring huge convenience to non-
Koreans, it will create more business
opportunities for Seoul. Predictive
text is much faster than multi-tap,
and it is pervasively used in English
speaking countries.
Problem 3: Short-term students
who buy mobile phones usually
throw them away when they leave
Korea. Discarded mobile phones cre-
ate air and water pollution. The
Seoul Metropolitan Government is
currently operating a mobile recy-
cling project, located in some public
schools and community offices. But
according to a survey that we con-
ducted, 98 percent of foreign resi-
dents said that they did not know
such mobile recycling sites existed.
Constructive Solution: We
would like to suggest a much more
pervasive mobile phone recycling
project for foreign students at the
Seoul Global Center. These donated
phones can also be given to new for-
eigners after proper re-registration
with phone companies. Or they can
be used for charity purposes. The
plan is environmentally friendly.
(shannon.sgc@gmail.com)
Selina Li Qiaowei (Singapore),
Cho Hyo-jin (South Korea), Daniel O.
Ogbonnaya (Nigeria) and Mohamed
Syazni Rosman (Malaysia) wrote the
policy suggestions. — Ed.
In focus:
What the EXIF?
The Photo Challenge is spon-
sored by Hyosung Camera
(English: 010-7203-9599) and
Babo Shirts (www.baboshirts.
com). Winners of the weekly com-
petition receive a 50,000 won store
credit at Hyosung Camera and a
Babo Shirt. To take part in the
competition, simply upload your
photo at www.flickr.com/
groups/seoulphotoclub — Ed.
By Aaron Raisey
Last week we talked about get-
ting familiar with your DSLR and
overcoming the intimidation pre-
sented by all the available options
and modes by taking your time
and engaging in a bit of experi-
mentation.
One of the tools available to
help you get the most out of your
digital camera is the EXIF data.
What is EXIF data? EXIF stands
for Exchangeable Image File
Format and it’s a standard that
software companies use to embed
information into image files.
However, that isn’t important.
What is important to us as pho-
tographers is what that informa-
tion is and how it can help us.
Think of the EXIF data as the
pencil and paper of the pre-digital
days. Before the digital era, the
photographer had to manually
record the settings of each shot so
he or she could look at their pho-
tos later and learn what worked
weekly winner — A snapshot
taken at the Global Gathering
concert on Sept. 18 at Namji
for a given situation, or what
combination of settings produced
what effects.
These days it’s a breeze — no
pencils in sight! When you take
that shot, a great deal of informa-
tion is written into the image.
Much of the data is of no real
practical use as far as the average
photographer like you or I are
concerned, but some of it is ex-
tremely helpful.
Things like the aperture, shut-
ter speed, focal length and ISO
value are all available to be re-
ferred to later — sometimes it
could be much later. Occasionally
I’m looking through my archives
on Flickr and I think “That looks
good, how did I do that?” The
EXIF data is there and I just click
through and find out.
For those new to technical
terms and important but initially
difficult-to-grasp concepts like
the relationship between aper-
ture and shutter speed, the bene-
fits of this information are much
more immediate and valuable. As
soon as you take your shot you
can check the EXIF data right
away in-camera and perhaps
compare to other shots you have
just made. For those new to pho-
PHOTO CHALLENGE —
Han River Park, Seoul.
Jeremy New
tography this is very useful, espe-
cially while out there shooting.
Having your data available to
you through an image sharing
community like Flickr is conve-
nient, but it’s also good to check
out other’s EXIF information too.
You might see a photograph and
think “I like that motion blur, I
wonder what the shutter speed
was?” If the photographer has re-
tained the EXIF data in the file,
you can check it out for yourself.
I say “retained” because some-
times the data isn’t there. Images
from film cameras don’t provide
EXIF data of course, and some im-
age editors have an option that
strips out the data when saving for
the internet to keep the file size as
small as possible — so beware of
that when saving your files.
So keep an eye on your EXIF
data, it’s an important part of
learning about your camera and
the more technical aspects of
photography in general. But any
amount of EXIF data is useless
if you aren’t actually producing
it, so get out there get shooting
and see you in the Seoul Photo
Club on Flickr.
(raisey@hanmail.net)
For more information on the
Seoul Photo Club-Expat Living
exhibition, including directions
and the opening time, e-mail mat-
tlamers@heraldm.com — Ed.
OCTOBER FESTIVALS CALENDAR
The following are the major cultural and tourist festivals to be
held in Korea in October.
Pusan International Film Festival
When: Oct. 8-16
Where: Busan
The Pusan International Film Festival is
Korea’s first and one of Asia’s largest film events.
A total of 355 films from 70 countries will be
screened in six theaters in Busan, Korea’s
largest port city. The 14th PIFF, the largest of
the annual events to date, will feature nearly
100 world premiers. “Good Morning President,”
a film by Korean director Jang Jin and starring
Korean Wave star Jang Dong-gun, will open the
festival.
More information is available at www.piff.org or
by calling 1688-3010.
Gimje Horizon Festival
When: Oct. 9-13
Where: Gimje, North Jeolla Province
The Gimje Horizon Festival is a feast for visitors
to experience the joy of the harvest in the beau-
tiful rural environment of the Honam plain, the
largest grain-producing region in Korea.
Programs include harvesting rice and farm
crops, kite-making and flying, folk games, and a
temple stay at the famous Geumsan Temple.
For more information visit the Web site at
http://festival.gimje.go.kr or call 063-540-3031.
Seoul International Dance Festival
When: Oct. 5-24
Where: Seoul
The 12th Seoul International Dance Festival
(SIDance 2009) is Korea’s largest annual dance
extravaganza. A total of 40 troupes from 15 coun-
tries will present a wide variety of performances
covering traditional and contemporary, Western
and Eastern, and classical and popular dances
at several venues in Seoul: the Seoul Arts
Center, Mary Hall of Sogang University, and
Aram Nuri in Goyang, north of Seoul. For more
information, go to the Web site at www.sid-
ance.org or call 02-3216-1185.
Namdo Food Festival
When: Oct. 29-Nov. 1
Where: Suncheon, South Jeolla Province
The Namdo Food Festival, one of the largest of
its kind in Korea, is to be held at
Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon.
Some 700 dishes from 22 cities and counties in
South Jeolla Province, as well as dishes once
served at Korea’s royal court, will be displayed.
Folk games like tightrope walking and a clown
performance, as well as performances of tradi-
tional Korean music and dance, will also be held.
For further information, visit the Web site at
www.namdofood.or.kr or call 061-286-5240.
Seoul Performing Arts Festival
When: Oct. 13-Nov. 21
Where: Arko Arts Theater, Seoul Arts Center
and other venues in Seoul
The SPAF 2009 will feature about 40 breathtak-
ing performances, including plays, dance perfor-
mances and combination works. Participants
will come from Russia, Hungary, Britain,
France, Italy, Poland, Norway Canada,
Australia, Japan, China and Korea. For further
information, visit the Web site at
www.spaf21.com or call 02-3673-2561.
(Yonhap News)

Expat Living complete community group list

Expat Living has scoured the inter- Baseball (Seoul, softball) http://ocwckr.spaces.live.com http://emmainternational.tripod. Indian Women’s Club Annapurna Pool Soccer
net and called dozens of people to Starts in June. E-mail com Annapurna.seoul@gmail.com (Itaewon Pool League) (SSFL)
compile the most comprehensive list seoulsoftball2009@gmail.com Cigar Seoul Cigar Aficionado Society www.itaewonpool.org www.ssflkorea.com
of community groups in Korea. http://seoulcigaraficionadosociety.blog Europe Korea Foundation International Friendship Club
Whether you’re after a pool league in Bellydance spot.com www.ekf.or.kr http://ifckorea.com Pride Korea
Itaewon, a debate club in Busan or a bellydancekorea@hotmail.com http://kqcf.org St. Andrews Society of Seoul
friendship club in Daegu, everything Cricket Football (American, KNFL) International spouses group mackay@korea.com
you need to be happy in Korea is here. Bible study (In Seoul) shane_kennedy_nz@hotmail. com www.kafa.org www.iskakorea.com Republicans Abroad Korea
011-359-1317 www.gopkorea.blogs.com Surfing club
To add your social group to this list, 3 p.m. Saturday afternoons Club Italia Fencing Irish Association of Korea seoulboardriders@hotmail. com,
e-mail the group’s name, your name, www.clubitalia.or.kr www.seoulfencing.com www.iak.co.kr Royal Asiatic Society Search “Seoul Boardriders” on
phone number and the group’s contact British Association of Seoul www.raskb.com Facebook
information to Matthew Lamers at www.britishseoul.com Cycling French speaking expatriates and Jewish Community of Korea
mattlamers@heraldm.com. If you see www.mtbk-adventure.com Korean women www.jewishkorea.com Russian Community
this list anywhere else, it was copied Brothas&Sistas of Korea www.cerclefrancocoreen.org in Korea Swedish Women’s
from Expat Living! — Ed. http://blacksinasia.org and on Czech Club Korea TESOL www.russiankorea.com Educational Association
Facebook irenasm@hotmail.com Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link www.kotesol.org www.swea.org/seoul
Adoptee Solidarity Korea www.goal.or.kr Rugby
www.adopteesolidarity.org Buddhism Darts (Seoul Dart League) Korea Toastmasters (touch) The Join Together
(Seoul International Zen Center) www.seouldarts.net Gaelic Football (sport) http://khtoastmasters.ning.com http://touchtagrugby.blogspot.com Society
African Women’s Group www.seoulzen.org www.seoulgaels.com (volunteer)
(02) 536-0453 or (02) 797-2767 Debate (Busan Socrates Cafe) Korean American Adoptee Sailing
www.jtsint.org
Busan community information busanbusan@gmail.com German Club Adoptive Family Network (Busan Expat Sailing Association)
Animals (Animal Rescue Korea) http://pusanweb.com www.deutscherclubseoul.de www.kaanet.com www.busansailing.com
www.animalrescuekorea.org Democrats Abroad Korea Touch ruby, Seoul
Busan Foundation for International www.democratsabroadkorea. Hiking (Seoul Hiking Group) Language Exchange Seoul Art Collective www.touchtagrugby.blogspot.com
Association for Teachers Activities blogspot.com www.meetup.com/seoul-hikers www.iaminkorea.com http://seoulartcollective.tk
http://atek.or.kr www.bfia.or.kr Ultimate Frisbee
Daegu Artists Hinduism Lacrosse Seoul International Women’s www.koreaultimate.net
Association des Francophones Busan International Women’s blankcanvase@gmail.com (The Vedic Center) www.lacrosse.or.kr Association
www.afc-online.org Association www.krishnakorea.com http://www.siwapage.com
www.biwakorea.com Daegu International Women’s Migrants in Korea Vegetarian
American Women’s Club of Korea Association Helping Others Prosper through www.migrantsinkorea.net Seoul Players (Seoul Vegetarian Club)
www.awckorea.org Busan Photo Club www.diwakorea.com English (HOPE) (theater group) seoulveggieclub.wordpress.com
www.flickr.com/groups/535889@N22 www.alwayshope.or.kr Networking www.seoulplayers.com
Australian and N.Z. group Daegu Friendship Club (Korean English Networking Volunteer
www.anzakorea.com Book club craig@galbijim.com Hockey (ball hockey) Agency) Seoul Photo Club (PLUR volunteer group)
Search “Mokpo Book Club, South http://www.daegupockets.com www.cbhk.org www.kena.kr www.flickr.com/groups/seoulphotoclub oh_daniel21@hotmail.com
Baseball (Daegu softball league) Korea” on Facebook Non-denominational Book Club Search “Volunteer for PLUR!” on
chrisbolger@hotmail.com Daegu Photography Club Hockey (ice, for kids) elizabeth@elizabethpatchinsoutter.com Seoul Stitch N Bitch
Canadian Women’s Club craig@galbijim.com www.jrkingskorea.com http://seoulsnb.blogspot.com Facebook
Basketball (this organization cwckorea@live.com The Nordic Women’s Club Seoul
organizes weekly games) English Ministry Minister’s Islam (Muslim Federation) www.kolumbus.fi/hannu.ruhala/nwc/ Seoul Tennis Club Wine and Women Korea
www.kena.kr Chinese Women’s Club Association www.koreaislam.org about.html http://seoultennis.com http://www.ekf.or.kr