It was about 10 p.m. when my Rotary-sponsored Group Study Exchange team arrived in South Korea April 23 and it didn't take long for the Koreans to earn our respect. We were greeted by true gentlemen and their kindness flowed into the next morning when we began our first day of touring.

One of my first observations after our tour began was how much more formal the Koreans are compared to Americans. The men wear suits every day of the week, even on Sundays, and the women, ever so fashionable, look their best in stiletto heels even while visiting amusement parks.

Formality continued into the way in which the Koreans present their food. We attended a Rotary meeting our first day there and their spread of fresh fruit, baked goods and sushi was so pretty that we didn't want to ruin the room's centerpiece by actually eating it. In reality, we did eat it and it was incredible.

Koreans are extremely ambitious and they take pride in everything they do. From their appearance to their jobs to their personal lives, the Koreans we encountered give life 110 percent.

From my understanding, they work all day and many of them socialize until the late hours of the evening about three to four nights per week. They work hard, but they also play hard.

Korean men carry a lot of stress in their lives. It is customary for them to take care of the finances and if there's stress in that arena, they must not share the burden with their wives.

Korean women often don't work out of the house -- a Korean man would tell you it is their "duty" to cook, clean and take care of children -- they also don't have nearly the social or professional independence as American women.

More often than not, Korean men served as our hosts each day, and their over-ambitious attitudes toward life wore us out! A typical day consisted of breakfast, touring at least four or five attractions a day (we visited temples, museums, schools, factories, government offices, and much more), and, often times, a very long and festive dinner followed by entertainment.

One night, we visited a singing room (Karaoke club) where we witnessed some talent that could succeed on American Idol, proving to us that Korean men take their singing seriously!

Where do these Energizer Bunnies get their ambition? My guess is that it comes from their tear-jerking history. From the 1880s into the 1940s Korea was subjected to Japanese Imperialism. While it declared its independence around 1910, it wasn't until 30-plus years later that they escaped from the rule of Japan.

During the imperialism, students were forced to exchange their native language for Japanese, sentimental Korean relics were stolen, women were used as sex slaves and men were tortured, as we learned during our visit to the Korean Independence Hall.

Korean university students willing to open up about this subject seem to hold the same view of Japan: "These days are different and we have a good relationship with Japan. We can forgive, but we can't forget, And, we wish they would just apologize for the past."

When Korea finally gained their true independence from Japan, they faced their own country's brutal civil war that demolished the country and ended with an ice cold truce that separated beautiful Korea in two.

South Korea worked obsessively to repair and get ahead following the Korean War. In a short 50 years, South Korea went from a disaster-stricken country to a dynamic force in the world economy. Hard work is in the people of South Korea's nature, and they are adamant in protecting what they've earned.

I left Korea with knowledge, understanding and appreciation for my new friends in South Korea. And although their disorganization and dangerous driving skills drove us a little crazy from time to time, their kindness, generosity and eagerness to learn about the American culture will never be forgotten.

Sadie Fowler is a Times-Gazette staff writer focusing on lifestyles and human interest stories. She may be reached at sfowler@t-g.com.