Korea: 0-10

0: The number of ways Koreans look before crossing a street, pulling out of somewhere, or just changing directions in general. I can not even begin to tell you the number of times that I have been cut off by someone I am trying to pass on the sidewalk, almost get run over by a car tearing out of a parking lot without looking, or watched a Korean almost get hit as they wander aimlessly into the crosswalk without double checking that there are no cars coming. (The green walk sign means 'go right now!' to Koreans, despite the fact that cars/buses/motorcycles run red lights ALL THE TIME).

1: 119, the number you call in Korea if there is an emergency.

2: 2.2% of Seoul's 10 million inhabitants are international residents. Just wanted to give you the numbers so when I talk about being stared at and sticking out like a sore thumb, you realize that I am not exaggerating at all.

3: In 2007, Seoul was rated as the 3rd most expensive city to live in. Also, Gangnam-gu (where CIS is), Seocho-gu (where my apartment is), and Songpa-gu (where Meg and I lived last year) are collectively referred to as Gangnam and are home to the city's most expensive real estate. Residents of these areas are often referred to as 'very affluent' by Koreans.

4: The number of yogurt flavors you can find at most stores. In any grocery store you walk into you are likely to find strawberry, grape, plain, and peach yogurt. If you want variety (and by variety I mean 3 additional choices being mixed berry, apple, and pineapple) you have to go somewhere like E-mart or Home-Plus.

5: The number of consecutive times the Incheon airport has been voted as the world's best airport.

6: The number of days per week most Korean children attend school. Korean children usually go to school Monday-Friday and then Saturday mornings. Of course, they do get about a month or two off two times a year at the end of terms, and various other holidays throughout the year. However, South Korean children attend school 220 days out of the year, second only to Japan.

7: 7-11, yes the convenience store. Convenience stores are everywhere in Korea. Where in America we commonly only see them where you can also get gas, here they are all over the place. In fact, it is not uncommon to see one on every corner (sometimes even the same company on corners across from each other) and then about one every 2-5 minutes walking time. Many stores boast outdoor tables (for drinking or enjoying snacks) and most have hot water and a microwave inside, as well as a counter to stand at so you can eat your ramen on the run.

8: Number of baseball teams in the KBO (Korea Baseball Organization). 3 of the teams are based in Seoul (LG Twins, Doosan Bears, and the NEXEN Heroes). The other 5 teams are based out of other large cities (Busan: Lotte Giants, Incheon: SK Wyverns , Daejeon: Hanwha Eagles, Gwangju: Kia Tigers, and Daegu: Samsung Lions).

9: Average number of hours a Korean works per day. South Koreans have the longest work hours among developed countries, averaging 2, 390 hours per year, or 400 more hours than the next closest country. This is about 34% more working hours than most places in America.

10: South Korea currently ranks 10th in Science according to a survey on the scholastic achievement of 15 year olds in 57 countries. They are 1st in reading and 3rd in math. Korea also has the highest high school graduation rate in the world at 97%. Of course, this all comes at a price as Koreans often spend 13 hours a day sitting in a chair studying. Between public school and after school hagwons, many middle and high schoolers are up until past midnight studying every night and average 5 hours of sleep.