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When I was in Seoul last week, I took the subway with my students several times. We noticed a few differences from the subways in Japan. In Seoul, they play interesting music when a train is approaching. Another difference is that the subway cars in Seoul are wider than those in Japan. This may be why so many people walk up and down the cars. People were always trying to walk past us. Were they looking for empty seats, or did they just want to get off at another door? I don’t know, but it doesn’t usually happen in Japan. Most passengers just get on and stay where they are. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Notes:
assembly 集合、(小学校などの)朝礼(など);
national anthem 国歌;
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My students spend each day at a primary school or kindergarten. They watch classes to see the differences between Australian education and education in Japan. I visit the students every day to make sure that everything is fine. We watched assemblies at the primary schools last Monday and Tuesday. First, the principal (the head of the school) talked about important things, and then the children sang the national anthem. Finally, there were special awards to several children in each grade for working hard in class and at sports. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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(image from http://www.iaca.int)