So here I am in South Korea - I am in the military and stationed here. I have studied TSD at 3 previous schools before coming here, so I have a decent knowledge base, but have never made significant rank. I opted to start back at 10th Gup here in order to learn more.
My Instructor is Master Choe, Ki Sung, 5th Dan and 2 time Korean heavy-weight champion. I am getting a lot of great instruction on proper form, techniques, and self defense. My concerns are:
1) Due to being in the military we do no breaking or sparring. He can't risk having a student be hurt and being banned from base.
2) He will award a 1st Dan to people within the year that they are stationed here. He emphasizes that they must practice hard, attend class 4-5 times per week and his Master travels down from Seoul for the tests.
So if I do earn 1st Dan while here, how much will that mean when I return home to the US? I realize that at any school, I'll need to learn their nuances and possibly retest....but will they honor the belt? How much will I need to learn/relearn?
Any comments or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
My Instructor is Master Choe, Ki Sung, 5th Dan and 2 time Korean heavy-weight champion. I am getting a lot of great instruction on proper form, techniques, and self defense. My concerns are:
1) Due to being in the military we do no breaking or sparring. He can't risk having a student be hurt and being banned from base.
2) He will award a 1st Dan to people within the year that they are stationed here. He emphasizes that they must practice hard, attend class 4-5 times per week and his Master travels down from Seoul for the tests.
So if I do earn 1st Dan while here, how much will that mean when I return home to the US? I realize that at any school, I'll need to learn their nuances and possibly retest....but will they honor the belt? How much will I need to learn/relearn?
Any comments or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.