For five young Korean women, Ames is not only a place to learn about the United States, but it is also a place for adventure.

These five women are participating in Global Ventures, a program that works to develop business and cultural ties with other countries.

This month the program gives five bright-eyed English teachers from Korea the opportunity to take Ames by storm.

“The whole idea is to immerse them in the English language,” said Laura Hamilton, a graduate student in international development studies who works on a contractual basis with Global Ventures.

“Also, a very important part of it is learning about American life. Many materials they use [in teaching] refer to American culture, and it makes a huge impact when you can really experience the culture.”

Hamilton said there is a great deal for the women to learn in Ames, both in the community and on campus.

“Ames is an ideal place for them. People are friendly,” she said.

The women spend 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with Hamilton, and spend the rest of their time with local host families, who plan activities for their visitors on an individual basis.

“My host family cooked many things for me, but I don’t know the name of them. They were all very good though,” said Yoon-Sung-Hee.

The teachers, who have never been abroad, will visit a bridal shop, a mortuary, a jail, a public library and a retirement home. They have also taken a campus tour that included a look at the bookstore, the Memorial Union and the residence halls.

“We try to give them a little taste of what it is like to be on campus,” Hamilton said.

“I’m surprised to see the size of the campus,” said Oh-Hae-Jung, or “Julia,” the name she goes by in the United States.

She said the campus was much larger than the campus on the university she attended in Korea.

“The dormitories were very roomy,” said Yoon-Sung-Hee, who uses the nickname “Cindy” in the United States. “I saw so many buildings!”

“There are no traffic jams,” said Jeong-Jee-eun, or “Madeline,” “and there’s an enormous shopping mall.” Su-Jin-Hwang, or “Susie,” said Americans have a greater appreciation of the arts. She said she enjoyed the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

She also said she was amazed that everyone could look so different. “Peoples’ hair colors are a great variety,” she said.

Moon-Sook-Kyung, or “Snoopy,” said all the wide open space and clean air are surprisingly different, but also nice.

“Carpet, we don’t have that,” Yoon-Sung-Hee said.

Hamilton said her line of work is a “broadening experience.” Hair color, open space and carpet are things that Americans often take for granted, but it is this kind of realization and self awareness that make her job interesting.

“I find it fascinating to see people react to our culture,” she said.