I remember welcoming December sleep-deprived. The temperature was casually negative 8 Celsius but felt like negative 13... so it was warm when it went back to the positive! December also meant school was coming to an end, which was last push for group projects, presentations, reports and finals. I really enjoyed the courses that I took and wanted to leave a great impression with my professors and peers. I am certainly satisfied with my results! I would not have been able to do it, if it was not for a joyful visit to this heaven, Bau House Dog Cafe, to release all my worries in the world. As soon as finals were over, it was time to say farewells to the friends who I got to meet in Korea. I am way too bad at it, I got teary every time! Thanks to these individuals, everything kept getting better (not all pictured, missing some!). Of course, it was a must to see team Korea from HSBC/HKU Competition with Annie before I head off. I left Korea on the 23rd of December to spend Christmas in Vietnam with my friends and family. It had been 8 years since I moved away, it was a nostalgic feeling! Then Da Lat and Singapore happened. I returned to Vietnam on New Year's Eve because I wanted to experience the midnight fireworks at the avenue. Chaotic, polluted and crowded, it took my friend 2 hours to finally parked our vehicle but we made it in time and had a memorable New Year celebration! I spent the next few days with my family, played with my niece because I could barely be physically present for her, and caught up with my friends. On my last night, I met up with team Vietnam from HSBC Competition! We reunited over a few cocktails and constant laughters, a perfect way to end my visit as well as my semester abroad. Hawaii, I am on my way!
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I spent my November truly living in Korea. Everything at this point felt familiar and home, but it also consisted of the never-ending amount of stress like every student out there. Group projects after essays after presentations after weekend trips after sleepless weekends...aiyaaaa! Before I realized it, November came to an end. So grab your boba drink, because you deserve it and it's also about to get dramatic! *Gongcha Recommendation: Early Grey/Black Milk Tea with white boba, 70% sweetness at regular ice level* Weekend Trips Let's kick if off with the splendid events and trips that took place this month:
All-Nighters & Group Projects But guess what happened after coming back from adventurous and productive weekends? Sleeping at 7 a.m became the norm and that was how my last weekend of November ended. All of my classes required group projects and while some groups showcased amazing teamwork, the rest was not quite compatible. On a more positive note, some of my favorite studying spots at KUBS are Hyundai 4th floor (empty, fancy lounge), LG 3rd floor library (quiet); and if there is a regular/full-time student in your group, he or she can also reserve a study room anywhere in Hyundai (unfortunately, exchange students are not allowed to reserve study rooms.) TAKE MY ADVICE The projects' deadlines will bombard you at once, whether it is group-work or individual. Then, finals will sneak up on you from right behind..so gather all of your strength and determination, start on your parts early! 📍아현동간장게장 (Ahyeondong Ganjang Gejang) Shoutout to Annie (her blog) for finding this gem and taking us here! Ganjang gejang is raw crab marinated in soy sauce. Not only is the food incredibly delicious, but the service is also top-notch! Check out the goodness on your left, picture credit: Annie Nguyen, extra-hot pot honey ♥️ Goodbye, November! December, let's end it well! October was a month to remember. The chills started kicking in, leaves began to change colors and it was my absolute first time experiencing autumn, you have no idea how excited I was!!! Here is how I fell in love with autumn, October and its funs... Ko-Yon Games The rivalry between Korea University and Yonsei University is the experience you cannot miss! It is a well-known tradition that has been celebrated annually for decades. The schools compete against one another in baseball, ice hockey, basketball, rugby, and soccer. Besides watching the players intensely battle it out on the field/court, the best part is cheering! The school spirit, energy, dance moves, catchy songs, efforts and so on are incredible. I got to experience it this year and I must say that it was a fun-yet-insane hot mess, as shown below, enjoy! (My apologies that it is messy and in LQ.. low quality video but high definition memories!) Tip: Attend the Cheer/Dance practice and be careful of injuries. Your head might feel detached from your neck but you will have so much fun! Reunited with HSBC Friends Annie and I reunited with Suzie and Senghee, our great friends who we met through the HSBC Case Competition. We enjoyed dinner and chocolate drinks together! These amazing ladies, alongside with the rest of their team, were the winners of the competition. It was great to catch up with them and we hope for many more reunions! FriendSheep I spent the rest of the month bonding with great friends and making new friends. I also visited Thanks Nature Cafe in Hongdae by pure chance, where I was able to interact with a sheep for the first time! Friends + sheep = FRIENDSHEEP :D 📍못난이닭강정 Operated by the sweetest elderly couple, the grandpa is in charge of inventory and frying the chicken the first time then the grandma skillfully takes over from there - second fry, stir in the sauce, add in the tteok, box it up and it's ready to go! Perfect for the chilly weather of autumn. Oh so crunchy! Such spice much wow ~ Direction: Dongdaemun Station, Line 1 or 4, Exit 9. Upon exiting, you will see the store right away to your left, pictured below! Thank you October for all the ups and downs. Be YOU! September was a bittersweet rollercoaster ride. Not only because I visited both Lotte World and Everland, but it was a month full of thrilling events and memorable experiences. So, keep calm and read on, about K.U's updates, ARC information and food recommendation! Korea University Update: I was told that KUBS Main Hall is not its own building but connected to Hyundai! Academics My professors (but it seems like the same case with other professors as well) highly encourage participation during class and students always respond with active engagement and critical discussions. I enjoy learning from different perspectives of my fellow classmates and sharing my own. Each class is also composed with group project(s) and I am excited to tackle them, the topics already sound fun such as case study of giant retailer H&M and developing a new product for an existing company in the South Korea market! Language Exchange Program (LTE) Besides KUBS Buddy and KUBA, I signed up for the Global Services Center's Language Exchange Program. Through this program, I was paired up with a Korean student who shares similar interests and wishes to learn English. In exchange, I could learn the Korean language and culture through my buddy and most importantly, gain a new friend! Alien Registration Card (ARC) For Korea University students, the ARC appointment should be made at the Sejongno Branch Office. Upon entering the office on the second floor, proceed to the standing board by the information counter for the list of appointments to find your name and your corresponding appointment number. Directions via subway: Take Line 1, get off at Jonggak station, exit 6. Address is 38, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Documents:
📍곱창이야기 Have you ever tried gobchang aka 곱창 aka small intestine? If not, give it a bite! Grill until the outside is slightly crispy, dip it in the sauce, add a bit of the stir-fried greens, don't forget the pickled chives, and finish with the chewy tteok! Thank you September for all the unexpected fun. Be Bold! |
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