South Korea, I have arrived!

Hello everyone! I am Janine Mabuti and I am a Sophomore and I am currently studying abroad in South Korea at Soonchunhyang University! It has been a month since I have arrived to South Korea and let me just tell you, I am having a blast. I have met many amazing people who have made this experience so much fun. The food here is AMAZING, and to be in a place that is so different from Hawaii is something that I feel honored to be able to experience.

In the month since I have been here, I have been to many different cities such as Onyang, Cheonan, Suwon. My friends and I have even traveled to Seoul and visited Myeongdong, Hongdae, Han River, Namsan Tower in our free time. I have been to Seoul before a year ago with my family and to come back was phenomenal. I am proud of myself for working hard in school to be able to come back to South Korea and study abroad.

For the living situation, there are 12 people to a suite, there are a total of 6 rooms with 2 people in reach room. Usually in each room, there is one foreign student and one Korean student. But there are times where in the very last room of the suite, there can be 2 Korean students which was the case for my suite. There are four buildings in Global Village, building A, B,  C, and D. I currently live in building D and my suite mates are very friendly and nice people that welcomed me easily. We have spent a lot of time staying up late to just chat with each other in our living room and just overall get to know each other better.

Classes and exchanges have started and my schedule is pretty packed during the weekdays. I am currently taking Korean Speaking, Korean Writing, Global Marketing, and International Trade and Finance. The two business classes are very interesting and it's a new subject that I have never really delved into, but I am excited for what we are going to learn and do in that class. My Korean classes on the other hand are a little tricky and difficult depending on what we are learning. I am proud to say though, that I am able to finally read hangul, which is something that I have always wanted to do. My speaking skills weren't bad before coming to Korea but I hope to improve my speaking and writing by the end of the semester.

We have also had our first Coffee Hour which was on the first day of Soonchunhyang's School Festival. I took part in Coffee Hour with the dance team, UNITED, where my friends and I did a cover to Red Velvet's Power up. It was a fun filled night with dancing and games. The dance team ate out all together afterwords and bonding some more over food. After that, we all headed on over to the school festival which was awesome. The entertainment was exciting and there were so many food booths that made my tummy happy. I enjoyed the night so much and I was ecstatic by the food and the good company.

Below are some photos from my one month here so far. Enjoy! Look forward to more blogs in the future!

My New Year in Japan

New year in Japan (Oshogatsu)

In Japan, you can observe many people spend their Japanese New Year (お正月) with traditional customs. The end of December people is getting busy to make sure that all the new year greeting cards (年賀状) are prepared so that friends and relatives can get it on time. Also, people do a clean up for their house in and out. On the 31st which is a very important day, people do not usually stay up late for the countdown, but Japanese eat soba (年越しそば) for dinner to wish for long life and luck. Nowadays, there are TV shows like Year-end Song Festival (紅白歌合戦), Johnny's Count Down Live (ジャニコン), comedian show (ダウンタウンのガキの使い) and so on. Thus, younger generations stay up late to countdown.

   In the tradition of Japanese religion, Shinto (神道), people go to shrines or temple to for the first shrine visit/first pray of the year (初詣) during the new year (1/1~1/7). People actually line up at midnight in front of the shrine to pray and drink hot Amasake (甘酒). Many big famous shrines and temples in the Tokyo area are packed. A friend of mine actually waited for an hour to pray.

The long queue in the late night for the first shrine visit @ Shinjuku

To avoid the crowd in Tokyo I went to a shrine 1.5hours off Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture, Oyamaafuri Shrine (大山阿夫利神社) which is located on the mountain Ooyama. Even Though it was freezing cold up there, there were not that many people and I got to enjoy the view of the Sagami Bay from the mountain. The hike was totally worth it and it is like 100% safer than some hiking trails in Hawai’i. After visiting the shrine I ate a seven-herb rice porridge (七草粥). January 7th is considered a day to sooth the body and eat some healthy food like this rice porridge. Back in the Heian period (794~1185) people already knew this seven kinds of herbs have rich nutrition in minerals that help then get away from getting sick. Every single herb actually has its own meaning and effects.

Oyamaafuri Shrine's stair

Although it is long the view and the fresh air is totally worth it.

The "Christmas" in Japan

During Christmas in Japan, there are a few customs that Japanese would do. Even though there is only 1% of the population is Christian Japanese still celebrate Christmas in their special way. And Japanese people celebrate Christmas quite different than the west. Unlike the states, people usually have turkey, mashed potatoes, roast beef, ham, and Christmas pudding for Christmas. They would order Kentucky Fried Chicken and well decorated Christmas cake in advance to avoid the long line around the block. Especially for families with children. Because on that day they eat fried chicken to celebrate. For me, this is the weirdest thing I have ever heard of. This Christmas with KFC was a marketing strategy started in the 1970s. KFC used this promotional campaign to boost up the sales in Japan. The result shows that  KFC’s promotion campaign worked out very well and make the Christmas tradition in Japan became KFC.

Ads for Kentucky Christmas 2017

First time seeing Colonel Sanders dress like a Santa

In addition, winter in Japan is a lot of fun not just snow activities. There are quite a few places in Japan to see illuminations every year. The illumination is very popular among youths and young adults also are a great place for couples to go for a date and take plenty of photos. The theme of illumination change every year and usually starts from November.

The illumination near Aoyama Gakuin University at Yoyogi park. Blue Cave(青の洞窟）

Thailand Adventures - What I loved and what I didn't

Keili McEvilly

Mahidol University, Thailand

Thailand Adventures - What I loved and what I didn't

The pictures bellow are from Koh Chang island. This place is quiet, cheap, and beautiful! The first is a giant golden buddha temple ( you have to wear sarongs if you have a revealing top and/ or shorts) that over looked a fishing harbor and a long, sandy white beach. The second is at a beach on the pier side (aka: where you get off your ferry) at low tide with some tide pools during my first sunset on the island. I stayed at this hotel last minute (we bought it that day) called win or winning hotel right on that beach... and it was only like $10 a night! The third is an old fishing ship at low tide further down the beach that same night. There are so many fun beaches on this island! Rent mopeds and try to get to the 4 seasons hammocks for me, because I tried long and hard.

 The picture below was taken at my favorite island of the chain off Krabi. Koh Samui Island. This place was amazing. Mostly because I love to dive and stayed at Big Blue Diving hotel where everyday that I dove (everyday) was a free night stay at the hotel! This beach had the BEST sunsets I have ever seen in my life and the best iced tea I have ever tasted. From this beach you can get a personal boat with a few of your new diving buddies and head over to a smaller island, the second picture bellow. It gets crowded after 9 am so go early or expect a crowd and burn your feet. I forgot shoes and got hella blisters.

These are my crazy friends. It was a super weird dynamic here, maybe you will experience this as well, I never felt so close to so many interesting individuals so quickly. We bonded SO incredibly fast. I mean we all just had no friends and no service to people back home so much that we only had each other to depend on and lean on for support. One of my friends fell in love on the trip, more than one of my friends had a heart break, many were traveling for similar reasons as I and some had anterior motives like discovering themselves, mentally restarting, or using it to escape a bad situation back home. Bottom line, these humans are the best and I hang out with them a lot still or FaceTime weekly at least and the all time best adventures of the trip were solely due to their craziness.

This is those great people again at Songkron: THE WORLDS GREATEST HOLIDAY 

You have to go.

 This was my favorite adventure, Song kao Rai National Park ( I think that is the right name). I camped for one night 💞💞 with my boyfriend and everyone was very upset I did not invite them/ stay longer because it is beautiful and there are at least 6 waterfalls (did them all in one day), a beautiful elf temple forest garden, and hot springs. It is super cold and a dangerous drive. Only ride a moped if you are comfortable and experienced, we saw two accidents while we were driving. It is super cold so layer up and tents are more expensive than at other national parks so bring blankets and your own sleeping bag. And bring food, there is very little up here.

 Hope you enjoyed!

PS: here is my youtube I share more of my adventures around Thailand and beyond! 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdPwGGju5MbvVUvUf-ITCjQ?view_as=subscriber

- Keili McEvilly

Moving to Thailand

Keili McEvilly

Moving to Thailand.

When I first began looking at housing in Thailand for my study abroad, I did NOT know where to begin. So I will try to help you out. The two main housing units (for both local and international students) were Bundit Home, Crystal palace,  and The September (which I stayed at). The most expensive was the September, and the least expensive was Bundit home. The picture below is one of the closest friends I made while at MUIC, Aanchal who was born and raised in Thailand. She taught me to shop the street markets like a local, eat fun places like Anyas (which I highly recommend), and she helped me get through Chemistry. Now we txt all the time and plan on traveling together again soon. The best part about living here was how integrated I became with other students from Thailand and around the globe!

Getting around: You do not need a car, or a moped. If you want, you can get a bike because they are very close to campus, also theft is VERY low so a lock is, for the most part, unnecessary. What I did most everyday was take a "bike boy" aka the back part of a local guys moped. I also took taxis (they are like 50 cents more expensive, but way safer. If you do take a taxi, try to carpool and make sure the guy puts the meter on. That goes for every part of Thailand, if they say no ask for a price and try to bargain down or quickly ask them to stop. Ask a local hotel or worker for usual rates.

PS: Here is my youtube channel, I go over a bunch more tips and tricks I discovered from way to many dumb mistakes lol.


Good luck!
- Keili McEvilly

Travel warnings for new travelers to Thailand and most of SEA (outside of campus)

THAILAND 
Travel warnings for new travelers to Thailand and most of SEA (outside of campus): 

 - Don't expect nice toilets... or proper toilets at all in very "local" regions (MUIC has nice toilets don't you worry).
- Side note on the first tip: always pack wet wipes or T.P with you (you will thank me later).
- Buy hand sanitizer before your travels, I never saw any there. 
- 7/11's are amazing here. The coffee, the cheap snacks... love it.
- Bring US cash and exchange it here. Using your card results in a lot of extra fees. 
- For taxis use the app Grab, it has free cancelation so it is better than uber. It is usually cheaper than meter taxis, but you can try to bargain with the meter taxis too for long distances or in Bangkok where grabs will not be as available. 
- Don't pollute! Locals have a way of living that is less eco-conscious due to large amounts of tourism and there is trash EVERYWHERE in such beautiful places! it is tragic. Some tourists and locals saw me picking up trash on the beach on my way in and were very appreciative and some followed in my footsteps. 
- Sun is MUCH stronger here, and the heat is intense. Pack cotton, hats and non- toxic sunscreen (check for oxybenzone). side note: sunscreen takes 30 min to set so keep that in mind before it slides off into the ocean and you turn into a tomato. 
- You may go on aquatic adventures, I bid you please do not step on the reef. It will bite back, and it is immediately harmed when humans make physical contact, in many cases resulting in coral bleaching, aka it KILLS the reef! So spread the knowledge and keep the reef beautiful. 
- carry a personal lock for hostels and to lock the zippers on your bag. I have never had someone steal something while traveling, but it happens to the best of us, so stay aware and prepared. 

                     Enjoy Traveling! X

Arrival into London!

It has been 24 hours since I first set foot into the United Kingdom, specifically the city of London! Despite a rather nerve-racking 12 hours seated next to a family with a new baby (apparently, it was her 1st flight), I landed in Heathrow Airport at the crack of dawn.

Passing through immirgration checkpoint was a quick ordeal: having ensured I had all of my paperwork and the important admissions letter from Richmond University on hand. Then it was a Uber ride from the airport to Atlantic House, Kensington!

The classic British rain greeted me on cue as I arrived on campus. Checking in with the AIFS staff was a quick ordeal too, as I was handed a welcome pack containing various leaflets about adjusting to life in London, the official program handbook, and my schedule for orientation week. In addition, my Richmond Student ID and housing information was provided. As the weather was not entirely suitable for lugging two giant suitcases to my accommodation at the nearby Ambassador House (my accommodation for the semester), an AIFS staff member very kindly called another Uber for me to transfer myself the last short leg to the front door.

It was fairly easy to locate my room, being on the ground floor it meant I didn't have to sweat even more trying to carry my bags upstairs. As I arrived a day later after the dorms opened, my two other roommates were already settled in: Hugo from Seattle Pacific University and Alexander from Minnesota!  No time to rest though: as soon as I dropped off my bags I walked back to Atlantic House (the main building at Richmond University) to grab some brunch at the Dining Hall, before meeting out front to join my AIFS group to walk over to a nearby hall for an introductory briefing.

Primarily the briefing covered the dos and donts: how to observe the law in the UK from the local Constable in Kensington (complete with horror stories from previous AIFS students), information about getting around town and campus, and an overview for the week ahead. After a short break in between sessions before the next activity, I rejoined the group to walk to the main street of Kensington to hop onto the coach for a tour across London's key sights! Luckily by then, the weather began to clear up and the sun was out!

We managed to visit the primary sights of London during our 3-hour tour, namely Buckingham Palace, St. Andrews Cathedral, and passed by Westminister Abbey and Big Ben (under renovation). Even though I was jet-lagged and tired, I still managed to get some awesome pictures of each site below!

We returned to Kensington in time for dinner. The dining hall I should mention, serves primarily a British menu. So in this case, dinner for me was chips, beans, chicken, peas, potato salad, and veg with soup. Dessert was available, consisting of an ice cream freezer with cones or bowls. I did want a bit of second for dinner but as it turns out, AIFS students are only entitled to one main meal each; any more require you to fork out of your own expenses for.

After a fulfilling dinner, it was time to turn in for the night and rest up for the day ahead. Some people in my group decided to head out to the pub or go out clubbing on a Tuesday night, but I clearly was not in the right mood for that! A warm shower and good nights' rest is what I needed!

Keep an eye out on my upcoming posts on the blog as I delve further into life at Richmond University of London, and exploring London itself!

- Adrian Ma