Traveling around Thailand and outside (MUIC)

If you are looking into getting a multiple or single entry visa I have two different opinions about that. When I was getting my visa I didn't know there was a difference but if you would like to hop over to other countries during your term in Thailand make sure you ask the university for a letter so that they allow you to get approved for the multiple entry visa. If you can't do that don't worry. I had a single entry visa and I left the country twice going over to Indonesia and Vietnam. The way I was able to do this was by getting another single entry visa at the airport which was actually pretty easy and cheap, maybe even cheaper than the multiple entry visa. Just make sure you have lots of extra photo id copies so that you can give them one.

With other transportation, I got to experience city buses that cost less than a US dollar to ride, tuk tuks that tend to rip you off since you are a tourist, trains, and lots of night buses which was an experience within itself but very convenient. We would hop on a bus at night and arrive in 7-14 hours later at your destination depending on where you were headed. This might seem long and painful but you just sleep through the night. You save cause it's cheaper transportation and you don't have to pay for a night of sleep somewhere. You would arrive in the morning at so many great places and would be off to explore. Transportation was probably the biggest expense since I was traveling around so much but really it can be very cheap. So make sure you get out there and see everything you can.

I'd recommend Khao Sok and Khao Yai national park. If you want to get scuba certified go to Koh Tao it is one of the cheapest places in the world to do so!

view of Bangkok (such a huge city)

squished in a tuk-tuk

Local city bus 

Semester at Sea: Japan, India and South Africa

Hello All!

I just wanted to share a little bit about a few countries that I visited and what I did there. One of the most common questions I received after my experience abroad is, "What was your favorite place that you went to?" This is actually one of my least favorite questions that I get asked because I am unable to pick a favorite destination. All of the 11 countries that I visited are unique in so many different ways and are incomparable. I would have to say my top three places visited were Japan, India and South Africa! Below I am going to share some photos!

Japan

 Nara was one place in Japan that was on the top of my list! It is a small quiet town in the suburbs of Japan where there are domesticated deer running all over the streets and parks! Definitely worth a stop, especially if you are in the season of the burning mountain festival.

This is a buddha temple that I went to. There are many temples and shrines that you can visit in Japan that are worth seeing. It is a good way to dive into the culture a bit deeper. These beautiful structures are truly breath taking.

Another temple at sunset where we stopped to take a picture on our way to dinner. I ate some of the best sushi I have ever had in my life in Japan. Make sure to try Ramen, Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) and lots of sushi!












India 

 This picture was taken at a lookout of the city of Jaipur. We took a bus all the way up a narrow winding road that overlooked the bustling city. This is a great place to watch sunset if you are visiting Jaipur!

 The Taj Mahal was on my bucket list ever since I was a little girl so I had to go. This one was a bit more tricky to reach because it is pretty far from where the boat was docked. I had to take a flight to get here and a long bus ride because it is in the middle of the country. If you are able to visit here it is even more beautiful in person. I was astonished that people were able to build such an amazing structure.

The roads in India are very narrow and small and most of them can not fit cars through. The streets are very dirty and impoverished but you are able to find true gems within the streets. People are so kind and willing to lend a helping hand. Watch out for theft though and make sure that you are dressed modestly, covering shoulders and legs. Here we took a rickshaw ride through the streets and markets.

 I visited many structures on this trip because they play a prevalent role in the Indian culture. A lot of these places I went to were tombs for families. The architecture and paintings were like nothing I have ever seen. Quite incredible to see this structure in person.

This is a photo of one of my favorite dinners! I know that it doesn't look too appetizing but Indian food was by far my favorite food on my whole entire trip. The curry was amazing and so was the dessert! You need to try all of the food in India even if it looks gross I promise it will taste amazing. Most of the food in India is also vegetarian because they see animals, especially cows as sacred.

















South Africa 

 Because I am 21 years of age I was able to go on a wine tour in South Africa. I have never been on one before at home and I thought that it would be a fun thing to do for the first time with friends. We drank wine, ate cheese and chocolate and it was a really fun time. I learned a lot about the wine making process as well as some fun facts!

 I was able to meet up with a family friend at the famous penguin beach in South Africa. There are actually penguins that live and survive on the beach here! It was incredible! I have never seen anything like it before. This was more on the touristy side and very crowded but if you want to see the penguins I do recommend doing it.

One of my favorite things about South Africa was the hikes that I was able to do. I did about three different ones that took my breath away. This hike was called Lions Head and I would recommend it if you are up for a workout and adventure. The 360 view of the city and beaches were worth the hike up!

 This picture was taken on a game drive that I was able to go on. I went to this property where there were a bunch of wild animals and went on a jeep to go see them. This was also an awesome experience but I would recommend doing an actual safari instead of a game drive because you are able to see the animals in their natural habitat.

Last but not least my favorite day! I surf here on the Island so it was a relief to be able to go out and surf in South Africa. I felt at home at the beach and on a board. A bunch of students rented boards and went out to catch some waves. If you are a surfer and are looking to surf Cape Town is definitely the place to do so!

Thailand MUIC Getting Ready

If you are getting ready to apply for MUIC Thailand, first thing you need to know is that Mahidol University International College is pronounced as you would say Mahidon not Mahidol. Next make sure you send in your application early and make sure you are on it with receiving your acceptance letter because it took a while to get mine in due to a form that wasn't sent to me. Other than that, causing me to receive my visa just barely in time, it was smooth sailing. Yes, you do have to wear a uniform but they are cheap and it makes it easy to know what you can wear for class. 

One thing that I had trouble on deciding was where to live during my time there. Our school gave us quite a few options but really the only options you will really want are between Bundit Home/ House or the September. This is because that is where all the international students live and it feels really great to have that community there for you while your attending school. I stayed at the Bundit Home which was an excellent choice for me. It is a bit cheaper than the September but I believe more students lived there over than the September even though they are both great options and right next door to each other. They are both really great nice clean places to live and I had a room all to myself for about $350 a month! I would have gotten a roommate but the only way you can do this is if you know someone going there since it is an apartment building, they do not match roommates for you. The place is lovely, has air conditioning and sheets already provided for the beds. You can't cook in them but that really isn't necessary especially since just in walking distance there are so many options for food ranging from $1-$3! It was insane how cheap it really was living there. The place also has a really nice pool. 

Some food recommendations I have in the area are what we would just call the pad Thai place it has an orange sign, bean bag cafe for curry, the smoothie guy which I would practice my Thai phrases with, and honestly 711 with their toasties!

Inside Mahidol International college building 

The Groove is a place with lots of food options near the apartments and has live music and bars!

The view from my room at Bundit Home.

The smoothie guy sending us off after our time in Thailand. Such a nice guy!

Why attend MUIC Thailand? Here's why! (Juliana Freire)

Before I even started school at HPU, I knew I wanted to study abroad but I wasn't sure where. There are so many different places in the world I wanted to travel to. I ended up choosing Thailand, one because I heard it was cheap and I could afford it but also because it was a place that would be so different from anywhere, I have ever seen or heard about. Leading up to my trip I was excited and also worried if I had everything and also if my visa would come in on time! 

But nonetheless, I was off on my journey by myself with an open mind and ready to see what Thailand had in store for me. I arrived the day after New Year’s, what a way to start the year! Then just like that, I was experiencing all that Thailand had to offer. I was living just right outside of Bangkok in an area called Salaya. A nice local area by the university which was full of Thai students who were learning in English and about another 100 international students. Although my classes weren't in Thai except my one Thai class, I was truly having the full Thai experience. From pointing at menus to eat or trying to pick up and use some of the words I learned in my Thai class to all our travels around Thailand learning all the transportation ways. 

There was so much to see and experience in Thailand. So many different areas, so much culture, and kind people. I was taking classes Tuesday and Thursdays and then Thursday night I’d be off on a night bus to a different part of Thailand and be back Monday night for school the next day. From traveling up north to visit elephant sanctuaries, temples, and the more typical Thai living spots to down south with islands, beaches, monkeys, and full moon parties to beautiful national parks that I highly recommend! Thailand was such a fun new experience! It does have its poverty but if you go there with an open mind the country can show you so much beauty with all it’s beautiful landscape and people. It’s definitely a place that you’ve got to check out!

Semester at Sea Activities

Since I have been back from my trip,  a lot of people have been asking me questions about what I did while the ship was sailing at sea. A lot of people assume that Semester at Sea is just a big college party cruise which is false!!!! It is the complete opposite from that. It is a time where you are able to experience the world in four short months and meet some of the most amazing people of your lifetime.

While sailing on the ship you have a full class schedule and are taking courses everyday while at sea. There are no such thing as weekends while on the ship because everyday is a school day. This may seem overwhelming but it is reasonable because you get so much time when docked in country to do anything that you desire.

After you get out of class there are plenty of things to do after such as:

• Go to the gym  (I used this almost everyday in order to stay active)
• Basketball court 
• Pool
• Study Rooms 
• Clubs 
• Lecture information sessions (goal setting, story time, etc.)
• Movie Theater 

There are also certain days that are saved for fun activities on the ship:

• Sea Olympics - a day where different teams compete in fun activities set up around the ship 
• Neptune Day - where we cross the dateline, jump in the pool and kiss a fish
• Crossing the Equator - Reach the 0,0 buoy in the middle of the ocean 
• Semester at Sea Ball - get dressed up and eat fancy dinner with everyone to celebrate the last leg of the voyage 

There are plenty of fun activities that staff and students put on in order to keep you busy. There was always something going on after class each day. Make sure to join the clubs and information lectures because you will learn so many new things about yourself but also the others around you! It truly is an incredible experience.

Semester at Sea Embarkation

Hello All!

I am going to tell you a little bit about my planning for Semester at Sea before and during embarkation. For all of you who do not know what Semester at Sea is a multi-country study abroad program on a ship that is open to all students of all majors. The program emphasizes on global comparative study and ocean awareness.

I was lucky enough to attend the Fall 2019 Voyage.. the 126th voyage of the program!

In this blog I just wanted to share a few tips that I wish I knew before hand:

•  Apply EARLY to the program because you do not want to be rushed or miss anything during the enrollment process. Unfortunately I applied late to the program and missed the scholarship deadline which I was pretty bummed about so try to keep track of deadlines!
• PACKING! Pack light because you will buy many things along the voyage. I will leave a drop down of things that I packed that weren't on the list that came in handy!
• snacks (lots of them)
• blanket
• map (for people to sign after the voyage)
• shoe rack or clothes organizer (the closets on the ship are small)
• small gifts to give children you meet on the way / people you meet 
• books (no internet so lots of free time to yourself) 
• Don't plan or book flights for countries prior to getting on the ship because you will meet tons of people and change your plans as you go  

I embarked from San Diego and had my parents come with me to drop me off. This is probably one of the weirdest feelings you will experience. I felt very uncomfortable and almost as if I was starting a whole new year at school. I had so many emotions leaving my parents and stepping aboard the ship. I was solo excited at one point and then got scared and nervous. Everything seemed to be hitting me at once but then once I calmed down I realized that everyone was in the same position as I was. The people around me were incredibly kind and wanted to get to know you. I was nervous about making friends for a while but it is so easy to bond with people quickly.  Don't be scared to be yourself because you will meet some of the most incredible people on this journey!

If you have any more questions prior to embarkation let me know below!

A semester in Townsville, Australia

As I have been back home for a while, I was able to reflect on my time abroad in Australia and would like to provide these general advices for anyone who is planning to go there in the future: 

• Australia is a very multicultural country. You will find yourself surrounded by people of all different backgrounds and traditions. Be prepared for that. Stay open-minded. 
• The upside down seasons issue. The seasons are opposite to those in the US and Europe. Please keep that in mind when deciding which semester you want to go abroad. 
• Generally, I think their grading is more harsh compared to HPU standards. They also use a different letter grade system. HD stands for high distinction, D for distinction, and these are the two highest marks that you can get. Cr stands for credit, P for pass and F for fail.
• They drink A LOT, even on weekdays.

Below are some advices specifically for those who are planning to study abroad at James Cook University, Townsville: 

• It is extremely hot in January and February. Plus, it’s very dry heat so stay hydrated. This is very important. Bring a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE.
• They have a very laid back tropical lifestyle. You see chickens and wallabies everywhere. Snakes and spiders, occasionally. 
• Their public transportation is not very efficient. Be prepared and check the bus schedule before hand. 
• While Townsville is moderately small, the town itself remains pretty spread out. Making friends with people who is able to drive can be very helpful. 
• The mall closes quite early, so check their opening hours and plan accordingly. 
• It is very common for people to visit Magnetic island, which isn’t too far away. it could be a very fun weekend getaway!
• Visiting Cairns is another great idea. It is about a 4 hours drive, but it is definitely worth it. 
• There is a bar on campus. 
• They have a lot of free food opportunities throughout the semester. Make sure to stay updated. 
• They loveeeee fish and chips 

Here are some pictures I took from our trip to Magnetic island: