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