Junior Term Abroad: A Challenging Exploration

               They were saying that one benefit of going to JTA is the taste of independence.  Independence was not a new thing to me.  I lived here in the country only with my siblings since my parents are living abroad.  However, independence in another country is a different thing.  Everything would be foreign – people, signs, culture, language. It wasn’t what I’m comfortable with.  Definitely, the experience of JTA brought me a new perspective on things and I knew myself more; academics were just a second thing to me.

You’re just one of them!

               During my stay in Korea, I met a lot of people of different nationalities and I have kept in touch with a few of them.  I have even befriended some street food vendors there.  Even though you’re so proud of being an Atenean and a Filipino, you don’t have to brag that you are foreigner on their land and you are the boss.  In the Philippines, some of us might have a mindset that we should take care of the foreigners, be hospitable to them, to give them a good impression of our country.  In other countries, you are just one of them, nothing more, but probably less.  But I don’t say that you deny being a Filipino.  You should know your position in the society.  Follow rules. Act like how they act. Learn their culture. Learn their language. Be one of them! This would give you a new perspective and understanding of things around you since you would be thinking like one of them.

Be bold and explore!

               I went to Korea, with a few Kpop groups in mind, knowing the basic Annyeong Haseyo and Kamsahamnida, and zero knowledge about Hangul.  Going into JTA made me discover and learn a new culture, foreign to me.  Having a little ammunition for the travel, this didn’t stop me in experiencing the JTA and it encouraged me to go for more.  I didn’t stop wandering around Seoul.  I even went to Gyeongju, a province on the east coast of Korea, where probably less people know how to speak English, alone.  I even tried exotic delicacies such as Sannakji, raw live octopus.  If you could go out of your dormitories for three days straight on weekends, party all night, eat fried silkworms and do bungee jumping (which I didn’t because I couldn’t), do it! If you can’t travel to another province alone here, then do it there! These are the things you can’t experience here.

Should I still study or not?

              Absolutely! Don’t forget that you’re there as a representative of Ateneo and of the Philippines.  You still have responsibility despite these opportunities.  C’mon! You have been a student for years and I’m sure you know how to multitask things without compromising any ;)

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Gabo Invades Korea: Solo Trip in Gyeongju [PART 1]

So the main point of going to Gyeongju was because of the Hallyu Dream Festival.  But I went there a day ahead of my friends to have a short tour of the city.

My friend booked me a bus ticket to Gyeongju. Since I didn't sleep the night before (because of the early schedule of the trip), I took the chance to sleep on my 4-hour travel.

Then, I woke up just in time. I arrived Gyeongju!

However, I'm still worried because my I hadn't received anything yet regarding my booking in Sarangchae Hostel. And I even lost my way to the hostel >_< Good thing I could speak basic Korean phrases and I found my way to the hostel.

And just as I'd thought of, I had no room to stay in Sarangchae! But the ahjussi and ahjumma are so kind and good in English, they called my back-up hostel, Nahbi Guest House, and asked if there was a space, and Nahbi said YES! The ahjussi gave me the directions to the Nahbi Guest House, so I walked again to Nahbi. (By the way, I walked from the station to Sarangchae, then to Nahbi, with backpack and my heavy sports bag :|)

And yes, Nahbi still had a vacant solo room for 25,000 won for a night. I reserved it before someone could take that spot. I put my stuff and rested for a while because I was walking too much already. At around 1PM, I felt hungry since I had not eaten anything yet. And my search for food/soul searching began..

So that's the view from one of the streets. It's much peaceful and calmer here than in Seoul, probably because this is a province.

I decided to start looking for tourists spots as I look for place to eat. I decided to go to Hwangseong Park first because it looks near on the map. But as I continue to walk towards the direction of the park, I CAN'T SEE ANY PARK/STATUE STILL. So now I was starting to ask the locals about the location of the park.

FIRST: I asked a man, probably a college student at around 23-28 years old, where the Hwangseong Park is. I think he couldn't understand my Korean phrase (I'm still practicing -____-) so I tried to speak in a mix of English and Korean like, "Hwangseong Park odieyo? Where? Hwangseong Park? Where? Place? Direction? Odieyo?" Then he suddenly said "wait" to me in Korean and called someone on his phone. I thought he's gonna call someone to ask for direction but I eavesdropped that he's saying, "Sorry. I don't know." WHAT THE... He's asking his friend how to say sorry and I don't know in English :))))) Why couldn't he just ask for the directions... -_____- oh well, I just thanked him in Korean.

SECOND *and successful one*: So I tried asking a couple (yes, couples are everywhere even in provinces). They seem to understand the way I spoke to them in Korean because the girl suddenly points on the direction then speaks in Korean! I can't understand a thing. All I could just say, "Ne~" to whatever she says, even if she's asking me something (because one of the things she said ends in "imnikka") HAHAHAHAHAHA! I think the guy noticed that I didn't understand her and luckily *YES!* he spoke to me in English and told me to go straight and cross the river that I will see. AT LAST, AN ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON HERE IN GYEONGJU! (Not that I'm underestimating people from the provinces in their English-speaking skills but in a desperate time like this, I would really need someone who can speak English). So I continued my journey...

FAAAAAAK! No food stores yet! All I could see are bakeries and cafes! I need real food :(( plus, I've walked so far yet I couldn't see any sign of river/water!!!

And at last, I saw the end of the long and winding road...YEY RIVER!! But as of my current location that time, I was too far from the bridge and all I could see are some sort of rocks/stones that I think was used for crossing since people in bicycles crossed the one beside it (right part of the photo below). So I walked on those stones on the left...

It was funny because I was the only one walking on the stones. I thought that time, maybe I'm the only person crossing this stones. I'd like to run so fast because people might think I'm crazy because of crossing these stones. HAHAHA! Great experience!

So when I reached the other side of the river, this was what I'd seen...

THIS IS THE VENUE FOR THE HALLYU DREAM FESTIVAL!!! I didn't know actually that this is the venue lol :))

So I walked around the area, thinking that this wasn't the Hwangseong Park yet because there should be a tall statue according to the map I had. Here are some photos I took while roaming around the area...

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26 Hours Left Before the Invasion

It's officially 26 hours left before my invasion of Korea will start.

I used "invasion" because I have a Tumblr account specifically for my Korea adventures. I will post pictures and random posts there.  There maybe times when I will post same content here and in my Tumblr.  Maybe sometime, that Tumblr account will turn into something like a Kpop blog.

Wait...bobo moment. I did not really explain why I used "invasion." It's because the name of my Tumblr blog is GABO INVADES KOREA as what my link shows.  It has a page about JTA and Sogang, and also about me!

As for my visa, I will claim it tomorrow so I hope there would be no more delays because classes have started in Sogang already.

I will post another blog tomorrow as I wait to board on the aircraft. :D See ya!

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JTA Blues

Okay. If you think being separated from your loved ones, friends, colleagues, or closest friends is the saddest part of being in the JTA program...

YOU'RE RIGHT!!

Well, for a person like me who loves to be with his/her circle of friends, it's really hard for me not to see my blockmates since we had different schedule, as if the JTA block was secluded from the rest of the world.  I became sad too when one of my closest friends in the block (both S2 and JTA) had to go to her country since her term is starting early.

Just before continuing this part, I went to the bathroom first to pee.  I passed by my dog's place where she's sleeping soundly. I was imagining how would I react if it's my time to go already. I won't be seeing my dog for four months. :( I will miss serving her dinner. I will miss her barks whenever I'm entering our house.  I will also miss how she licks my entire face (yes, my bitch likes licking me...).

I don't want to leave you...wait, you're not my dog!!
Don't worry Puss. You're still cute.

Yesterday, I went to school because I have a meeting to attend.  As I walk along the corridors of SEC C and CTC, stairs of Matteo, and JSEC, everything went back into my mind - my blockmates, best friends, org colleagues, professors.  Damn, I don't know but I really feel sad as I think that I won't be seeing these buildings, rooms, people for four months. 

I'm really gonna miss this.
Photo from renzpiration.blogspot.com

So there, I had a meeting with my project team and had a small chit-chat about their rants in life.  After our meeting, I met Andre, one of my closest friends in college, in CTC while he's waiting for his class.  I felt so happy because I had time to see my friends there while they're waiting for their class. 

Yes, I'm so clingy like yeah!

Currently, my problem is only about my visa since I still have no visa but I have booked a flight already on the 24th.  When my requirements were rejected by the Korean officers, I was just thinking of quitting the program and go back on regular 2nd semester with my blockmates.  I don't know but I feel so incomplete or uncomfortable without the people I'm used to be with.  No offense to the people I'll be with in Korea. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with you guys. I feel that we're close already but I'll be separated with other people I'm close to also.  

Oh well, this post is so emotional already. Not good for my health. LOL!

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Korea!

As I was trying to change the layout of this blog, I found out that I wrote on my previous post that I should share something about my expectations about Korea and I realized that I actually failed to post something about that.

And for that, I dedicate one entire post about my expectations when I go to Korea!

I was searching for a Korean peace sign and I found this picture of a guy named Jong Hyun of CNBlue.
By the way, sorry for not posting about my expectations before! Peace (^_^)V
(Photo from cnbstorm.wordpress.com)

KOREAN POP (KPOP)
Of course! Who doesn't know anything about Kpop these days?  Aside from mobile phones and cars, Korea has been successful in exporting their talents to the world.

I was thinking if once we land on Incheon Airport, will there be any random Kpop artist/s who will greet visitors and tourists to their country? Or will the aircraft suddenly play the latest Kpop song?

Is it bad to wish that SNSD would be the aircraft's captain/s and flight attendants?

Actually, I'm not really a Kpop fan before, not until a friend introduced me to it.  We were blockmates and she'll be going to Korea too for JTA. Oh yeah, we're attending the same university too.

Does it show that she really hates Kpop? Lol.

Anyway, ever since JTA Sem 1 started, our entire JTA block has one favorite Kpop group. Presenting, SISTAR!!

PLEASE! Be our aircraft's captains too!
(Photo from allkpop)

You may want to hear there songs Loving U, Alone, and the best song ever, Ma Boy!

Now guys, tell me if this isn't their best song.
(Photo from awesomelymediocre.tumblr.com)

So much for SISTAR and Kpop...let's proceed to food!

KOREAN FOOD
If you really want to know the culture of the place, food is the best teacher! If I could, I would try all Korean food and beverages there such as kimchi, bibimbap, samgyeopsal.  And for celebration, a toast of SoJu!

Bibimbap
(Photo from molyna.wordpress.com)

Would it be lovely to taste this from its origin?
(Photo from koreanbeacon.com)

Might as well try the drink :)
(Photo from classicgirls.blog88.fc2.com)

Samgyeopsal
(Photo from kapcha.co.nz)

KOREAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
I don't know why but I really want to wear the traditional costumes of Korea.  Aside from experiencing it, I think I would feel like a traditional Korean, living in the Joseon dynasty (lol). They said that in Incheon Airport, you could actually have the chance to wear the costumes. Is this true and which part of the airport is this located?

So the clothing is called Hanbok and I'm really excited to wear at least any of these (bucketlist!!). Feel the entirety of Korea through their traditional clothing!

Of course, I'd want to wear the male's clothing. Though, I'd love to see some of my
female friends wear the female clothing.

FINAL NOTE
As said in our country briefing, Koreans believe in balance and harmony and that's the reason why they maintain castles in the middle of the city, as it is a sign of balance between modernity and tradition.  I'd love to experience Korea and find out more about this balance and harmony and how do they manage to maintain this.  So, 'till next time!

Oh yeah! *claps*
(Photo from kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com)

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In 23 days...

Just to release a part of my excitement to go on JTA, I decided to post something about how my JTA Sem 1 went and what I expect when I go to my country of destination.

About the Junior Term Abroad
Junior Term Abroad (JTA) is the exchange student program of our university.  This is when students spend one semester in one of the partner schools of Ateneo abroad.  Each of the four schools have different school partners; therefore, students from School of Science and Engineering (like me) cannot choose to be in the partner school of School of Management, unless the foreign university is a partner of both schools.

Students going on JTA will have special semester, namely JTA Sem 1 (before you leave), JTA Sem (I just coined this term as the semester where you are in abroad already), and JTA Sem 2 (when you go back to Ateneo).  All semesters will run for 4 months, so topics are usually compressed, from the normal 5-month semester to 4-month semester.

MIS students took the following subjects: CS150 (Computer Architecture), MIS21 (Introduction to Applications Development), MIS121 (System Analysis and Design), STAT107 (Introduction to Statistical Analysis), and PH101 (Philosophy of the Human Person I).  We have been together for 4 months, from analyzing an organization's system, to programming, to understanding computer hardwares and statistics, and even philosophizing.

MIS JTA 2012

About Sogang University
Yes, this is my school abroad. Sogang University is a Jesuit-run university in Seoul, South Korea.  It was established in 1960 by the Society of Jesus.  In the 2012 QS Asian University Ranking, Sogang University ranked 51.

서강대학교
Sogang University

Come August 24, I will fly to Korea to start my JTA Sem in Sogang.  I am a Business Administration major there and I will be taking subjects such as Principles of Marketing, International Business, Management Information Systems, Analysis of Customer Behavior and Service, and Productions and Operations Management.  I decided not to take any free elective since I am not interested in other electives there aside from management subjects.

I HAVE NO STUDENT VISA YET!
NOOOOOOO!!

Though I'm leaving on the 24th, I HAVE NO STUDENT VISA YEEEET!! I might apply next week. The weather this week has been so bad and I even got a fever last night. The timing is so wrong :| I also have to accomplish OIR stuff tomorrow. I hope my body would be okay by tomorrow :|

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So Near Yet So Far

My relationship with Korea: So near, yet so far
Image from: http://i32.tinypic.com/2cxz120.jpg

Hi everyone! It's been a while (or a month :|) since I blogged something...

I am actually in the Junior Term Abroad program of our university where they send students to their partner schools for a semester.  It is the exchange student program of the university.

We really have this weird schedule.  On a normal basis, students have summer semester (April to May) and first semester (June to October).  On our case, we are taking summer subjects and first semester subjects together for a duration of 4 months (April to July).  The duration is long for the summer subjects and short for the first semester subjects.

As of now, we had 3 midterm examinations down and 2 to go.  That is why I feel that Korea is within reach already, yet there are still so many obstacles to experience.

I've been talking about Korea. What's with Korea, anyway?

That is my country of destination. Yes, I will be immersed more in Korean culture (and yes, KPop is included) for 4 months.  I will be studying in Sogang University (although we don't have our acceptance letters yet).

Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea, here I come!!!!

*I am still undecided if I shall continue to create my wordpress blog, or a tumblelog to keep track as I invade South Korea....

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Elections...

Hi there! How are you all doing? :D

This is the time when almost all organizations and councils in our university are doing their elections for the next term's Executive Board.  And obviously, I am one of the people running for a position in my home organization, the Ateneo Management Information Systems Association (Ateneo MISA -  http://misa.org.ph).

It has been a struggle for me to choose what path to take.  I have been into a lot of options and fall back in case one fails.  But one thing is for sure, I have a chance to take tour on these paths.

First, running as the Vice President of Finance and Marketing in Ateneo MISA.  As you can see around 12MN of February 6, I have been changing my display picture and my timeline cover in Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gabriellorenzosantos) As refered to my previous post, this is the cluster where I came from and I am now planning to be the head of this cluster.  It took me a lot of time to think of pursuing this path since I am evaluating my capabilities as the leader of this cluster, and also the welfare of the cluster if ever I win the elections.  (My platform? To follow on the next days :D )

If I failed my first choice, I proceed my second choice, to apply for Junior Term Abroad (JTA).  It was my close friend and block mate, Joan Magno, that inspired me to aim for higher once I didn't win the MISA EB Elections.  Even my dad is positive about this that he referred me to our relatives in San Francisco for me to ask whether I can stay for 5 months there to study in University of San Francisco for a term. Although this has a low probability, it is not bad to aim for higher! ;)

Those are only two of my options.  It would be great if you come and talk to me personally on my plans, whether about MISA, JTA, or other stuff.

Think Gains.Growth.Gabo for VP for Finance & Marketing! ;)

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