Intensive Month

Hey guys-

So if you study in B.A through AIFS, they give you the option to arrive a month early and take a one month, 5 credit, intensive Spanish class. This is class is pretty demanding as it is 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. This means that in the one month long course, you are taking about 100 hours of Spanish. To put this in perspective, it´s about as much Spanish as you would take in a week and a half at HPU every single day, or as many hours as you would take in 2 semesters over the course of one month. It´s probably the most demanding course I have ever taken, however, it helps. I did not enjoy going to this class every day, but I learned a ridiculous amount very quickly.

Basically, if you´re serious about improving your Spanish, take the class, but understand that it is a lot of work. However, the final was yesterday. I survived the class and now I have a week off until the regular semester starts. Carnival is this weekend, so I´m about to jump on a bus and head to Mar Del Plata to hang out on the beach for a few days.

Shoots

10 hour Journey to the land of South Korea

Hey Everyone!

My name is Jessica Bragg and I am currently majoring in Asian Studies with a Minor in Multimedia Studies. This is my first time living in a different country and studying abroad/student exchange.

I left Hawaii on the 23rd of February at around 10AM Hawaii time and arrived at Incheon Airport around 3:50PM February 24th, Korea time. Once I stepped foot outside of the plane, it was really cold. Considering I have only been accustomed to Hawaii's weather all my life, being in 30 below degree weather is taking its toll on me.

During this first week in Korea, I can say that Soonchunhyang University is very big and has a lot of stairs. I have actually tripped a few times climbing up and down stairs and steps. I think the stairs is the only disadvantage about being in Korea in general. However because of those stairs, it is actually helping me stay in shape. Everyday there was always something to do even though school has not officially started yet. After moving in on monday, tuesday morning everyone went to buy T-Money cards to be able to use the subway systems here in Korea. The returnee students took us to various places (such as Asan) where we can buy really cheap school supplies and necessities we will need for our dorm room. Wednesday, they took us to more places to buy cheap items in a newer town (Onyang?) and again to Asan where we went to more different stores. Thursday was the first day of Orientation where we got a tour of the school and met some more students. Later that day, some of the other returnee's took us to (Chonun?) where there is a mall called Shinsage that has prices similar to America but when they go on clearance, it is very cheap. Also there are underground shopping that has very cheap clothes as well. Lastly, Today was the last day of our orientation where we filled out all of our documents and such. It was a normal day though later on we were welcomed with a welcoming dinner! The staff at Soonchunhyang University seem very nice. I have yet to meet my Korean roommate so I really hope I become close to them soon.

Tomorrow, me and my friends from Hawaii, along with the Japanese students I have just met are planning to go to Seoul to visit the zoo, Namsan Tower, and other places hopefully. I'm really glad I know some Japanese as well, that way I can help them too.

Starting Up in Seoul

Aloha from the Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea!

Kevin Tangonan, former assistant at the HPU Office of Study Abroad. I'm majoring in International Studies and minoring in Diplomacy & Military Studies. Enrolled at Soonchunhyang University in Asan, South Korea, this semester on a Cultural Internship Program.

After an exhausting twelve hour journey from Wednesday morning till Thursday night, I made it! The grueling eight hour journey to Narita, Japan and the two hour layover followed by another two hour continuation to Incheon, South Korea made for one helluva' night.

I couldn't sleep as always on long international flights especially when a large selection of free movies are involved. In Narita, I was greeted by a holographic welcoming party, squat toilets, manga shops, and a lot of Japanese (which I was most afraid of, knowing really nothing about the language). I should have at least studied up at one point of the trip. Of course, I was also pretty scared of the high taxes of souvenir items as well. I was pretty lost and ended up wandering around most of my layover time before finding the right terminal.

Reached Incheon around 9pm and had to sit through Immigration for a good thirty minutes. The Tourist Police in the area were really helpful in directing and guiding all of the tourists throughout the process. No wonder why Incheon International Airport is one of the best airports in the world for a consecutive six years according to all of the boastful posters and billboards throughout the building.

45 minutes after the thorough airport procedures, I reached Seoul Station via the KORAIL AREX Express. At around 10:30pm, a short ten minute walk uphill and across the street, I checked-in at the Siloam Sauna. Siloam is a well-known jimjilbang (or temporary guesthouse-hot spa) with local Koreans and tourists alike due to its affordable and welcoming atmosphere. It was a really traditional experience and conveniently located despite the awkwardness of a communal bath. It was hard sleeping in a capsule enclosed matted area, but over the course of two days I've gotten use to it.

After the first night, I've also gotten the hang of using the rail and my T-Money card to get around the city. Having used my first day in wandering around the streets of Namdaemun Market and haggling for various bits of souvenirs. It truly has been an interesting beginning of my trip thus far.

To those who are planning to go or have not left yet, as a scout for study abroad, here are some tips:

1. Wear layers- it's cold. If you like twenty degree Fahrenheit weather or the sniffles, then by all means wear casual, but that's really not recommended.
2. Lost after arrival? My best bet for both Incheon and Narita is to follow some of the Westerners (since for the majority they were US servicemen and English instructors I found out).
3. As soon as you leave the airport lobby, taxi hawkers will follow you (especially if you're an independent traveler). Walk fast to avoid them or pretend you're part of a group. They'll take great advantage of a foreigner especially at night when fares can increase tenfold.
4. If you're ever heading to South Korea, exchange rates in Incheon International Airport are bad, Seoul Station is a tad better but well away from the airport. The best exchange rate from USD to Won was surprisingly in Waikiki at the DFS Galleria Department Store. In Seoul and Incheon- it was about 1000-1050 won to 1 USD. In Waikiki it was 1140-1165 won to 1 USD. That was a shocker for me.

Best of luck fellow travelers!

I Remember When I Thought I Spoke Spanish

Hey everyone-

    My name is Sam Cooke and I´m a fifth year senior just starting my last semester of college here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I´m no stranger to study abroad as I studied in Cambodia last winter, and actually blogged for HPU this past fall when I was studying in London. However, this experience is Buenos Aires is completely different than any experience I´ve had before.

I could write a book just on my first 16 days in this country, but I´ll just hit on some of the key points for now.

First off, I took a couple Spanish classes at HPU before coming here, and naturally, I thought my Spanish was pretty good. However, after walking around the city for 2 minutes, I realized my Spanish was not at all good. It´s one thing to have a conversation on Fort Street with a kid from Barcelona, its another to live in a country where no one speaks any English. Living here is absolutely the best way to learn Spanish and I´ve already learned a lot, but it definitely takes some getting used to.

I live with a single mother who rents out her extra two bedrooms to college students. I have a pretty decent size room with a desk, a dresser, and good size bed and a ceiling fan. I also have a private bathroom attached to my room, so it´s a pretty decent setup. The other room is rented out to a student from Pepperdine. Every morning we are served breakfast and dinner from our host mom and we are on our own for dinner.

Meals here are very different from the USA. The food here is amazing as I´m now convinced I could survive the rest of my life on empanadas alone. However, the meal times take some getting used to. Breakfast is early, around 8 or 9, then dinner isn´t until 9 olcock at night. Breakfast is normally very light, and dinner is very big. I´m still trying to adapt to what I should eat during the 12 hour gap between meals, but I´m starting to figure it out.

The night life here is ridiculous. There´s not much else to say. Everything is a little cheaper, and everything stays open all night. The exact opposite of London. Generally the clubs don´t get busy until 2 or so, so be prepared for a long night out. You can easily find a place to go every night of the week if you wanted to.

However, I would not recommend staying out all night every night because you still have to go to school every morning. If you study here through AIFS, you have the option of taking a one month intensive Spanish class before the start of the semester. I am currently taking this course to get ready for my regular classes which start next month, and will all be in Spanish.

I don´t want to make the first blog to long so I´ll leave you here. I got to start making my plans for Carnival (coming up soon) and get a little studying in.

Adios-
Sam Cooke

I Fought the Law, but the Law Won

I apologize for the late post; my internship is kicking up.

The public transportation system in Geneva, like many other cities in Europe, is quite good and transportation companies offer monthly passes. In Geneva the transportation companies are TPG, CFF, SMGN, and five other companies who operate the buses and trains (and possibly a little boat that shuttles people across Lake Geneva). These companies formed a united fare policy and offer bus passes for a fair price.

If you are a "junior" or anyone younger than 25, you can purchase your monthly bus pass for 45 CHF (Swiss Francs(Roughly $50). If you are familiar with the transportation systems in Europe the thought of forgetting your pass and risking not purchasing a ticket looms in the back of your mind as the bus or train "police" may get on your train or bus and give you a ticket.

Ironically, my fellow interns and I were on our way to the main train station (Cornavin) to pick up a monthly pass for one of the new arrival interns. Guess what? She "YOLOed" it. Half way into the bus ride down the route the bus "police" hopped on and stopped people who tried to make a mad dash for the door to escape the impending 80 CHF (roughly $90) fine for riding the bus without purchasing a ticket. She tried to reason with the bus "police" saying that she was "new here", "didn't know where to purchase the ticket" "didn't speech French", and was "confused". I can only assume that the bus "police" heard it all. Mercilessly, they summoned one of their colleagues who spoke the most English. Confusion and panic ensued, but there was no way out of the fine for her.

The lesson of this story is: To always buy a ticket and if you have a transportation pass; to always bring it with you even if you have to run back to your house. You can try to fight the law, but in this case the law won.    

Seasons in Korea

Every Season in Korea is different. In the first half of Summer, it is monsoon season and you can expect a lot of heavy rainfall and hot weather. In the second half of Summer, it becomes more dry. When I arrived, it was end of August and the weather was already turning more dry, but the air still remained very humid and it felt very hot. Fall is a beautiful season in Korea, because it is still very sunny, but temperatures aren't too high and the air is dry. The leaves begin to change to beautiful colors. On campus, the Ginko-tree leaves turn yellow, its magical! In October/November it gets colder and colder until the temperatures reach the freezing point. The street will get very slippery because of ice and from time to time you can experience snow fall, which will look very pretty on campus. Still, usually the sun shines pretty often and even if the temperatures are low, the sun can get pretty warm. 

During the seasons, you can expect to find different types of food. Typically, Koreans love to eat Ice Noodles during the hot Summers, but when the leaves start to change, you will find a lot of street food vendors with roasted chestnuts and a pastry in the shape of a fish with a bean and chestnut filling. Those are really good and cheap and I recommend that you try it! In the Winter, there is nothing better than a hot Kimchi stew. It will really warm you up!

So far, I was very impressed with the fall, its probably my favorite season in Korea. But I still need to experience the Spring. I will post more pictures next semester…! 

The Impressions That I Get

(An important note before reading: I had the directions printed out, but had lost the map that had accompanied it. I am technically not doing a study abroad program, but an internship that doesn't require French language skills.)

After travelling a day and a half from Honolulu, to Los Angeles, and London I finally reached my final destination in Geneva. With no knowledge of the French language, the predominant language in Geneva; however due to presence of the United Nations in the city most people possess some knowledge of speaking other languages, this weary traveler had to get to the main train station to get to his hostel. Thankfully a nice worker directed me in the direction of where the train line was.

With luggage in tow and a extremely overstuffed carry-on and personal item I made it to the station, but everything was in French. Luckily there were two very helpful TPG (the transportation company) workers who not only helped me purchase my ticket, but also personally used their own coins to make change to break my larger bill, as the machine only took coins. Arriving at the main station I had a vague sense of which direction I needed to go to reach my hostel for the night. Except a few things stood in my way: the cold, heavy luggage, the zombie like trance of sleep deprivation, and the dark. To tired to care, I sought a cab (Geneva is an expensive city to live in and cab fares are quite high; public transportation is the best option) to take me to my hostel. Instead the cabby said that the location was "quite close" and that I could get there in the direction I thought I had to go in. "Go straight down this street for 500 meters and then take a right and keep going straight", he said. The only problem was that in my sleep deprived state, cold, tired, and lugging luggage, I took that right turn a little bit too early and accidentally stumbled into the "red light" district.

There are police cars on each street, perhaps I could ask them for directions. Except the police weren't there and I continued to blindly walk straight down a pretty sketchy street. I realized that I was in the wrong part of the city when I saw the women of the night, so I decided to get the hell out of there as soon as I could. Taking a left turn I found myself at a cafe where an older lady was having a drink. I asked her for direction and I got them, but they were in French. She did the best she could using international sign language and I thanked her and was on my blind journey yet again. I assumed my destination was two streets over and then another left turn from what the lady had said and described. An even sketchier alley awaited me with a couple of tough looking gentlemen and a smell of "medicinal" herbs.

I backtracked and made it to the next street over. Giving up hope and looking for a cab I heard a French conversation quickly being switched into an English one; I was saved. Three girls from the US, who work at the UN office in Geneva, happened to be coming up the same street and upon hearing my story and where I was from they not only helped me out, but led into the right direction to where I needed to go. Despite my first view of the city being the "red light" district in its functioning hour of operations, the people of Geneva are nice and very friendly people who will be more than willing to help lost weary travelers.