Tuesday, March 3, 2015

My birthday:)

I am very blessed. Today I turned 21 years and I had an amazing day. I shared this day with the people I love the most. I had the best burger for lunch. Since I am a bit of an introvert I didn’t really tell anyone that it was my birthday. I cannot believe that it has been 6 yrs since I had my Quince. I feel like it has taken me this long to finally start finding something I love. However, I know that everything that I have been doing thus far will help me along the way. I would like to take this time to wish an amazing year to the other people who I get to share this day withJ


-MC

Thursday, January 29, 2015

All about Studying abroad:

My first impression of South Korea:
When I first arrived at ICN airport, I was very tired that I didn't have the time to pay close attention to the things around me in detail, but I can say that as soon as I got off of the airplane it was foggy and the humidity was there, but it didn't bother me.
I remember sitting in front of the McDonalds waiting for the other students to arrive. When there were enough students to ride on a taxi van they (the DKU students) released us to head to the university. I remember that on my way to DKU I was falling asleep and the driver was driving pretty fast and none of us could read the meter. The driving was a bit reckless compared to the driving from back home. One of my teacher friends told me that her driver was honking at an ambulance that had its siren on. SO that was new to me.
When we arrived at the dorms, there were students handing out papers with information to us and giving us the dorm key and a T-money card (used for transportation).
I was expecting to see a lot of colorful buildings, but to my contrary there were lots of beige and brown apartment buildings. At night, however the buildings came to life. As soon as the sun starts to set, people go outside to walk around and eat chimeck. Another thing that caught my attention was the amount of smoking that goes on. It was sad to see a hot guy smoking and drinking is common among Koreans.

How it all started?
I guess I always knew I wanted to go somewhere else, besides California. However, I never knew or expected to take a big jump when it came to traveling for the first time. I had heard about study abroad, but I always thought that it would be expensive and out of my reach. So, I never bothered to look into it until maybe last spring. I attended one of the meetings that the study abroad office was offering and I remember thinking, maybe they want us to go so that they can get paid or something, but I was wrong lol. One of the girls I met in school told me that she had gone for the summer program and that she loved it, but I was still unsure. Then I went to talk to the people working there and I told them that I was interested, but since they saw that I was scared to go. They encouraged me to try it and maybe not go for a year, but to try the summer program. The application deadline was approaching, maybe two weeks remained. I filled it out and was scared that I wouldn’t get permission from my mom, but I knew I didn’t have any productive plans ahead for the summer, so I turned in the application. I was never officially informed that I was accepted, so I kind of put the whole study abroad things to the side. Then I started to get emails about things that they need from us.  I was shocked, and well was kind of forced to inform my mom that there was a possibility that I would be studying abroad for the summer. Things happened and then things got more serious about going to study. (By serious I mean I had to get things done, buy things and talk to people.)

Cost?
For the program I applied to, I paid ~$420.00. This included the application, insurance which we had to pay even though I had my own insurance.
The other thing I had to pay was the airfare, which I got like three or two weeks before I left, DO NOT do this. I would say buy it as soon as you get your application submitted and bug the people and ask them whether you got in the program, usually for the summer ones you will get in. Anyways I paid around $1300.00 for the round trip, while others got it for $890.00. Then, I had to pay for the classes. Since, I would be applying for summer aid, I had to register for two classes and out of the whole tuition I paid~ $300.00. This was nothing compared to the one thousand something I thought I would have to pay. The financial aid didn’t go into my account until I was already in Korea, but the financial aid office did require me to pay the $300.00 before I left.
The other things I paid for in my program were the transportation from the airport to the school and back. The rest of the expenses were just the food and personal expenses, like for cultural activities, clothes, etc.

What I had to give the study abroad office?
Before any of the programs go they have “orientations” this is just so you can sign contracts that you won’t do stupid things abroad, that you will be careful abroad and that you are representing our campus abroad. They also require you to give them a picture of yourself so that they can have it in case you get lost or something. Then you also provide them a copy of your itinerary information (with this they inform the other school when you will be arriving and what airline(s) and times.

Who waited for me in the airport?
My biggest recommendation which I should’ve mentioned above is to find someone else to go with you. It can be a group of people or just one more person. This is important for when you guys have to check in or check out you guys can take care of each other’s tuff.
Anyways going back, Before we left, the other school sent us emails about survival phrases, the weather, the cost of some things, what they recommended you bring, and a couple of maps (one from the campus and the other was of the airport).  In the map it showed a picture of where we would be meeting. The people who were waiting for u were students from our host school. They had signs and there were other students who were arriving. I don’t know how it works for other programs, but my guess is that they also have designated people who wait for you, because they want you to be safe.

Where did they take us afterwards?
They took us to the dorms, which were just above the main campus. There were other students from Korea and the program coordinator welcoming us and giving us our dorm keys and dorm information (such as door combination, Wi-Fi info, ac info and most of this was in a little booklet that they had prepared for us). Most of us were placed with other students who were there from the same program, not necessarily form our school. Thus my recommendation is to request a friend if they’re going or if you don’t mind then it should be fine, but form my experience it would have been better to be with someone I knew.

What did you do after you checked into the dorms?
Obviously I was hungry, but I didn’t have all my money exchanged to their currency so I had to eat some of my snacks I had taken from home. This is why I recommend you get the money exchanged before you leave.
Here’s why I recommend flying with someone: at around 7 pm and were mostly settled, I went out to take a walk around campus with my flight buddy and other girls we met as we arrived in the airport.

The rest of the days:
The following day after we arrived we had a welcoming orientation. They told us about the history of the school and had a few culture demonstrations for us. They also had like a mini ice-breaker so you can meet other people in the program. The following Monday the internship program started and they gave us booklets and our classroom info. For the most part the internship consisted of ‘working’ from 9—12 and then came lunch which we’d spend with our students or other people we met in the program. Then from 1-4 we had the other half of the internship. (The internship was to teach English to other college students, not really teach more like practice; because they know English they just need help with conversations). Once we got more comfortable with our students and they got comfortable with us we would go with them to visit places or eat somewhere.
After the internship ended the Academic portion of the program started. These were the academic classes that we had signed up for. They also had an orientation for this part. Some Korean students also took the academic classes with us, so I guess that that is another way we could’ve met and make foreign friends. The classes were pretty cool and the professors were excited to be there.
The cultural activities were done either on the weekends or after our classes were done. And when we had free time we (you kind of make little groups of people which you’ll hang out most of the time) would go to the capital or visit other places. Sometimes, towards the end when I was more comfortable with getting around, I would go by myself to places that I wanted to go and other people didn’t want to go again.
Other things that I would recommend are to talk to people from the country you are going to. Look at the weather of the place you are going to go to. One important thing which I didn’t do is to set your email accounts with the dates you will be traveling. I think that is pretty much itJ

Good Luck,

-MC

Saturday, January 3, 2015

New Year, 2015 :]

Last year (2014) I did things, went to places and met people that I would have never imagined. I hope that this year will be just as stunning as last year. Although i probably wont travel outside of the country I would love to travel with in the country and make memorable moments to share with others when i do go out and travel far. 

I need to decide on a career. This will most definitely be the hardest and most stressful things I have to do this year. I have to start doing internships and start driving, my goal is to get in the freeway:)

I hope to be able to step out of my comfort zone and shine. I have had some great ideas in mind and i hope to share them with the world:)

I hope everyone can do great things this year,
-MC

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Taking Down my Christmas tree

I had a great time during Christmas Eve and Christmas day, not only because of the food, but most importantly because I spent it with the people I love the most, my family:)


By the time this post is up, my dear Christmas tree would probably be down. For me, the saddest part of the holidays is taking the decorations down. Although this year we didn't have a whole lot ($), I am happy that I was home and was able to give back to my community. I volunteered to help kids in need frost cookies and make Christmas crafts. I really enjoyed this the most, because this season is a season of being thankful and giving.

I would like to know what people got for Christmas, I am really curious…and when you guys take down your ornaments, be careful. I got a cut in my finger (I got a really cute band-aid lol).

Have an amazing New Year 2014,


-MC

(idk why when i copy and paste from word the fonts change;'( )

Monday, December 22, 2014

Happy Holidays:)

WOW, one more year has passed through eyes in just a blink. I feel as if we were just counting down to 12 o’clock to scream happy 2014! Today however as we ‘put up our Christmas tree’ I come to realize that I have to make the time spent throughout the year count.


On a side note, yes my tree isn’t a regular Christmas tree, while the typical trees are nice, who says we have to stick to the standards that society has implemented? Well, maybe that sounds too harsh, so I will just say; I like to be different, because that is what will make my holiday special.
I wish everyone a very wonderful and SPECIAL CHRISTMAS and A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2015 :D
May this New Year be filled of amazing and magical things for you and yours. I know I would like to cross off much more things off of my “Life/bucket list.” I will also let adventure guide me and won’t let my fears stop me (fingers crossed). 
-MC

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Valuable times with moma:)

I know sometimes life can get hectic. However it is always a good idea to save time for family. I bought my mom and myself these smoothies and they tasted 1 million times better than when i buy it with my friends. We got: mango and pineapple and pineapple, banana and coconut.



XO,
-MC