By Erin Haney, Student Ambassador, USA Pavilion

At 9:00 every morning, large groups of visitors flood Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea. Many are on vacation and want to just enjoy themselves and have fun. Others come on school trips and are expected to complete assignments while they go through the pavilions. Both groups, however, can truly learn a lot from their experience, despite not being in a classroom.

With over 100 countries participating at Expo 2012, , you don’t have to go very far to have a meaningful cultural experience. One way in which I have learned a lot is through National Days. Everyday a different country has a ceremony and cultural performance to honor where they come from and who they are.

Most of the time, these performances are held in the Expo Hall. I have been to 10 cultural days thus far. Some countries, like Belgium, I have been familiar with for some time. Other countries, like Eritrea, I didn’t know a lot about. Through each cultural day event, I am able to add to my past knowledge about that country. These experiences are my favorite because I get to learn new and exciting information.

Even if you don’t go to the national day event, many countries have their own pavilions. In the respective pavilions you can learn about their past, their present, try some of their local cuisine, and learn about what each country in doing with, and for the ocean.

Here at the Yeosu Expo, learning is an adventure. Read, watch, listen, and talk with others. You might be surprised with what you find out.