My Piece for the day

Finally I got my first perfect score in a Korean test. We learnt about the dates and times in Korean. I also have to revise countings for my test tomorrow. There is gonna be so many of our memories from the Korean class itself. I think I am improving and I am feeling great about it. Today we did went to see things but there were some gaming competitions and food stalls in the ground. Since there wasn't much to do or see, we came back after sometime. But all of us (especially the foreign students) are really excited about tomorrow's main event. Talking of the food stalls it was really nice and there were a lot of people were having fun but I cannot personally eat a lot of things and then it was expensive and we want to enjoy it tomorrow when all of us would be together. I also saw a Korean movie Baby and me after dinner. It was the first Korean movie I have actually watched entirely since I don't watch a lot of movies. It was nice. Honestly I have tried watching Korea

Date - 26/09/2017 Today it was just a usual day but I was finally very happy with the way I spent my day. I woke up a little early today and went for the morning walk. There was so much of my blog posts that were pending so I posted a little in the evening yesterday and completed my posts on the Cultural Exchange Program today in the morning. Since there wasn't nothing really important that had happened on the last two days so I skipped it and wanted to start afresh from today. In the Strategy Management class we got a treat from our Professor for keeping perfect attendance and good response in the class. She was very generous and we were definitely very happy about it.😁😁 Gachon Festival started today. It is the annual fest of Gachon University that continues for three days. Major event for the day was Taekwandoo Show from 17:00 - 19:00. Our class finishes at six so we couldn't see the entire thing but we saw a part of it while coming back to our dormitory. We were impre

Date - 23/09/2017 Today, I felt so good when I entered that room. We were greeted by the Youth Goodwill Guide Staff from Hi Seoul Youth Hostel. They were so cheerful and friendly you can feel tje positive vibes in the place as soon as you enter the place. Hi Seoul Youth Hostel is an organisation that provides foreign students in Korea with free tour guides and organise programs for them to let them know more about the Korean Culture and traditions. Youth Goodwill Guide is a group of University and high school students who volunteer for helping the foreign students and organise such cultural programs. I think it is so inspiring when kids of our age are volunteering and giving their weekends to foreiggn students like us. We were divided into four teams and began with the general introduction with our team. We were four girls in my team. Two of them were from Indonesia Amanda and Mita and Julie who is a native Korean. Julie is a young volunteer in Youth Goodwill Guide. The name of ou

Date - 23/09/2017 All of us were asked to prepare a speech about our country's culture and national holidays beforehand. So in the last segment of the Program, we sat with our other friends from our countries,  discussed and gave some informal presentations about our cultures. We were around 25 people in the room. There were Korean volunteers, some participants from Indonesia and three students from Singapore alongwith the five of us. Indonesian students talked about their Independence Day and Labaran. These are two of the major national holidays. Flag hoisting is the main event on Independence day and they organise games like Sack race, etc for the children throughout the country. In Singapore there are four races and all of them celebrate their own festivals. But the major three groups are Chinese, Malays and Indians. They were Chinese so they told us about the Chinese New Year and other Chinese festivals they celebrate in Singapore. Indians in Singapore also celebrate Diwali.

Date - 23/09/2017 Today we went to Hi Seoul Youth Hostel. We woke up a little late as it was a Saturday. We quickly got ready, had our breakfast and left in the subway for Yeongdeungpo-gu Office. We reached there in around 1 hour but then we weren't sure how to reach the Venue from the station. We had searched and also saved the Screenshot for the way but we got confused as we had to go on foot ahead and we were standing clueless on that street. Since we don't have a Korean Sim right now, none of us even had an Internet Connection. When you are already getting late and you have lost your way not a great feeling. If being in a foreign country counts you can add that too. But when you are with your friends worry is not even the last thing on your mind. We were rather laughing at our situation and simply tried to find the way together. We asked a few people, some could not understand our language so we tried showing them the address on the phone but some people just didn't

Date - 22/09/2017 Today we went to the Seoul South Korea Immigration Office for our Alien Card Registrations with our mentor. The Korean class had already been cancelled because our Teacher had a meeting in the evening. But today all of us were tired so we ate outside in an Indian restaurant tonight.

Date - 22/09/2017 Today we tried Gimbap for the first time. It is a famous Korean Vegetarian dish. In Korean Gim means Seaweed and Bap means rice. The leaf is placed in round shape and filled with a layer of cooked rice and the innermost part is filled with sliced vegetables. For me Korean food is like when I have my first bite, I love it but then I feel it tastes a little weird. Korean food is strange and strangely delicious but I just can not complete a single dish alone. I am still trying to develop a taste for the Korean food. I can be really picky when it comes to food but here I don't want to miss out any chance to try any of the Vegetarian Korean dishes available.  😉😊😊😊😊

Date -21/09/2017 Today we had a fire drill in our dormitory. We were informed about it in advance during our inspection and were asked to be present in our rooms at that time. There was a fire alarm and we had to run out of our rooms (no use of elevators) and rush to the sports ground. But honestly it wasn't really a drill. All the students assembled in the ground and there they gave us some instructions and demonstrated the use of Fire Extinguisher. The instructor spoke in Korean so we couldn't understand anything. Although Sheetal Di told us the basic PASS rule for using the fire extinguisher. Pull the pin Aim at the base Squeeze Swirl all around.

Date - 20/09/2017 Today was Deepika Di's, Aizhan Aappa's and Anu Manhotra Ma'am's birthday.  Deepika Di was my senior in Shoolini. She was one of the seniors I have always admired and looked upto. Wishing her a happy birthday was one of the first things I did today. She is intelligent, confident, classy, beautiful, helpful and a sweetheart. I haven't known her for a very long time but it has been a great experience to know her.  I got to know about Aappa's birthday through facebook. I wasn't sure what to do. I was thinking about it all day. I had just planned to gift her a small choco pie which I had but then did not felt like gifting that alone.  I just thought that probably a letter with some birthday wishes would seem nice. I don't have any clues about Kazakh so I took a little help from Google.  I just wrote happy birthday in Kazakh and the entire message was in English. I also wrote Happy birthday in Hindi in the end. She was very happy and delight

Date - 19/09/2017 Today Sheetal Di was just coming back from her class when she was greeted by an unknown Korean girl. She asked Di from which country she is from. Knowing that Di is from India she further asked if she knows Hindi. Since Di knew Hindi she insisted on talking in Hindi. Di was just way too happy to speak in Hindi. The name of Di's new friend is Sunaina. When Di asked her about the reason for having an Indian name, she told her that it is difficult for many foreigners to pronounce a Korean name. But when she used the hindi word 'उच्चारण', Sheetal Di was really impressed. Sunaina told her that there is a group in Seoul where they teach Hindi. Probably all of us will meet her next tuesday when she would also come with her other friends. All of us really want to meet her. Amidst so many foreign language speakers, we are just happy to find people who can speak and understand even a bit of English. So you can well imagine the delight of meeting a Hindi speaker

Date - 18/09/2017 Today my day began with the Korean homework. Since I hadn't studied during the weekend, I had to do my homework as well as prepare for the test today. But my first class was in the afternoon, so I had a lot of time to do it. When I went to my Financial Management class, Laylo had already been waiting for me. Even I was looking forward to meet her today. Today in the Korean Language Class our teacher recorded our conversation like role play. My partner was Lee Jia Lin. She is from Singapore and sits next to me in the Korean class. She is confident, cheerful and very helpful. Whenever I cann't understand something, she always helps me out. I really enjoyed doing that role play with her. I had done my homework very carefully and I was glad finally there were no mistakes in it today and I also performed better in today's test. Every tiny step seems like a small mile stone. It gives you that further motivation to work hard and also improves our self confid

Date - 17/09/2017 Today I had planned to study but as usual  not really studied. I rather utilised my holiday to rest and relax. I jotted down some important Korean words in a diary and whenever I get time I will try to write all the important new words I learn for my reference. In the evening, we went to buy groceries from a nearby store. We also opened our pack of Rasugullas we had ordered with the other stuff from an online site for Indian food in Korea. Having some Indian Sweet dish here is definitely a treat for us, although we are having proper Indian food for meals. So no problems with the food. But search to find and try a few vegetarian things is still On. I talked to some of my Indian friends today. Weekends are always the best time to have some good conversations and catch up. Swati Di is another student from Shoolini ( my home University) who has went to Taiwan for  a Student Exchange Program this semester. Although we are in different places but sharing our experiences

Date - 16/09/2017 Today we went to the Hongdae Street. There was a lot of street food available but most of the stuff was non - vegetarian. Beef and pork are commonly used ingredients in a lot of Korean dishes. At one stall, a man was selling really big ice creams which was around the double size we find in India. All my other Indian friends ordered Choco-vanilla flavour and I ordered the Yogurt- strawberry flavour. For the first time I tasted a sour ice cream. It was really yummy. While coming back we went to Diwali. It is an Indian restaurant near our University. Last time when my friends went there they served it with a sweet sauce. We have seen that in the Korean dishes and we just don't like it. They really did not like the food. But this time we asked them not to put it and food was nice. It was a nice day and this Saturday, we have already decided our plan for the next weekend.

Date- 15/09/2017 We sang a verse in Korean with our country groups. So there were the three of us from India, me with Varsha Di and Anamika Di. We prepared well but we got nervous, forgot a lot of it and it was really hilarious. We also played a game, one person was blindfolded, we gave her the directions in Korean and she had to hit the balloon. There is something new in the Korean class everyday. They tell us a lot of new words and we do remember a few of them. I am planning to write all the new words I learn in Korean in a diary whenever I get time. Because I just cannot remember so many words all at once. After the end of two weeks we have learnt  some Korean words, made a few new friends, some small ups and downs, getting along well with my Indian friends and finding a new support system in them because at this point in my life noone can understand me the way they can because we all our probably going through the same. Its nice being here and I am really glad to have come her

Date - 15/09/2017 Today I was sitting on the front desk alone and wandering which seat should I choose next week. Then suddenly a girl came and asked if it was vacant and she could sit and I was really glad to let her sit there. Her name is Laylo and is from Seongnam itself. She is a freshman and it was just her second day in the University. We couldn't really talk much today but exchanged our Ids on messenger. I am looking forward to seeing her on monday. Back in India, it might have made no difference but here it always feel good when you are still thinking who you can talk to and suddenly someone stops by first. I always enjoy meeting new people and making a few friends and what could be better than knowing a little more about Korea from some Korean friends. And we were really happy that today we had no homework for the Korean Language class. Classrooms always keep that kid inside you alive. I haven't even opened my bag tonight. 😃😃😃

Date - 14/09/2017 Today we had a test in the Korean Language class. Because of the bad performance by many students we got a retest for tomorrow. This time I had studied and prepared for the test and performed better than the last one. But I was so nervous for the test today, I have wrote the correct spelling for all the words that were difficult for me. But I fumbled on the ones I clearly knew. This time it wasn't that I didn't knew but rather my stupid mistakes. I just don't want to do that again. But thankfully I wasn't the one who performed the worst in the class. No comparison but I hate being the last one. But despite everything I am happy that I am finally learning a few words and its getting better. I am happy about that. We also learnt the counting in Korean. In the end, our teacher also taught us a small drinking game (Samyuko) although without Soju (the traditional Korean drink). In English we refer to it as 3-6-9 game. In the class me and Lawrence also

Date - 12/09/2017 Sometimes just a nice morning is all that it takes to begin a great day. I just tried to approach everything positively today. I just decided to let go of the things that I cannot change or help. We recorded a video of self introduction in the Korean class. It was fun and something I will always remember and probably even laugh at later. I want to keep all the little memories (both the good ones and the bad ones) of my student exchange forever with me through this blog. Since I was a little free I read a couple of articles today. One was about being an exchange student, having the feelings I couldn't interpret or express right now just reading that article felt really good. Another one was about learning a foreign language. I have decided to try not to compare myself to anyone else and learn things at my own pace. To take my Korean lessons outside my classroom was yet another thing I learnt. While reading these articles I realized, one thing that is common

Date -12/09/2017 I think everyone should try to learn a new language as you grow up. It not only adds one more language to your knowledge but I think it also improves your command on the Languages you already know. Learning Korean is a little tough but once I got along the basics and began to practice a bit on my own it just became interesting and fun. Actually after practicing the corrections in the test I got to understand what I was getting wrong. I was now able to understand things more clearly. Waking up on time and working a little actually gives you a good feeling and help you start the day fresh.

Date -11/09/2017 Today, my first class was of Finance Management and I learnt about Balance Sheets, Cash flows, etc. I was worried but it is not really that hard. We had a test in the Korean Language class and I performed really bad. Although since I hadn't really studies for it I didn't feel bad but it was embarrassing. I think I really need to get a little serious about my studies here. We also learnt how to introduce ourselves in Korean today. My brief introduction would be Anneyonghaseyo! Vaishnavi yeyo. Jonon Indo Saaram I-e-yo. Chega Haksung I-e-yo. There might be some mistake in this incase there is I will make the corrections soon after checking with my teacher tomorrow. Writing down things on the blog actually helps me out to reflect on my days and analyze things. But I think an exchange program is just not about visiting a new place but there is so much more to it. It is just not all about those adventures and excitement but I am also learning to adjust to new

Date -10/09/2017 I had planned to study and revise this weekend but I actually did nothing useful. I spent most of my day sleeping today. Even when I was free I wasn't feeling like studying so I simply did not. But in the evening I talked to my friends and I guess that's the easiest way to cheer up. That's all for today actually.

Date - 09/09/2017 Yesterday after writing the post I was just lying on the grass, when Do Yoon Kim suddenly came and asked if I was a University student and what I was doing. Then I sat down and he very politely asked if he could sit with me for a few minutes and I was glad to let him. We just talked for sometime then he had to go to his home and I had to return to my dormitory room. I call him James that is his English name. He is also a student of Gachon University and his major is Chinese Language. He told me he had just returned home three months back after serving for two years in the army. It is compulsory in South Korea to serve in the army for at least two years. It had been a tough experience for him. Even getting back to society, studying the subject that you had forgotten a lot about is a little difficult. So he is trying to adjust to a normal life again and make a few new friends. Our conversation was really short but we decided to stay in touch. He has also said to sho

Date - 08/09/2017 Today we were talking about green products, innovation and sustainability in the Development of goods and marketing class. Lawrence told us that in Uganda all most of their buses are electric and run on solar energy and they are also designing vehicles that can run on Kinetic Energy. I think that's a great idea because you are utilising the renewable resources and also saving on the fossil fuels on the same time. Even in our country a lot of innovative things are done to promote eco friendly products and ways of living but most of the things are in their development stage right now. I think whether you like it or not Eco-friendly products and Sustainability have became really crucial for the survival of entire human race. Finally my first week of classes is over. The first two days were a little tiring but it was good otherwise. Even all the classes are fine. This weekend I am just planning to study Korean and revise all my subjects a little bit. So I can easi

Date -07/09/2017 Aizhan Aapa is my first Friend here, besides Sujin Onni(my mentor). Actually her name is Aizhan but she is elder to me so I call her Aizhan Aapa. We both like it that way. Aizhan Appa is from Kazistan and is majoring in Korean language here. It is her second year here and she will be here for two more years. Apart from studies, she also works as an assistant in the dormitory office on alternative days here. Today I went for an evening walk with her. I always enjoy talking to her and spending some time with her. She is friendly, helpful and sweet. A lot of times when we are stuck with something or don't know how to do something in the dormitory she always tries to help her out. One day we got locked outside our room because all of us had forgotten our cards inside. Even on that day, she opened the door for us with the master card with a polite caution not to repeat the same mistake again. She is a huge fan of Indian movies especially Shah Rukh Khan. Today we tal

Date - 06/09/2017 Today we submitted our final Course Registration Forms. So I cannot drop any other courses or choose a new one. I have chosen four Business courses. Honestly I already had written my blog post for the day and loved it but I deleted the draft by mistake before I could save it. I just did not want to write it because I couldn't exactly remember what I wrote but then I realized my entire article was all about being positive and motivating myself again when I feel demotivated. So here is a small piece from my side for the day- It doesn't matter how many times you fall down what matters is how many times can you rise again. It's not that hard workers don't get tired, they are just eager enough to work harder, get tired and feel that pain because their hearts know it is worth it. That's something I read recently - It's not about not having problems but rather choosing them more wisely. #MarkManson Whenever I feel a little down or demotivated

Date - 05/09/2017 Today, on 5th September we celebrate Teacher's Day. So I began my morning with wishing my teachers a very Happy Teacher's Day. This year I had planned to do something special on my part for Kuldeep Sir. Since I was not in India, I just posted a message for him on Facebook that I wrote recently. I am really glad he liked it. His reply was heart touching and overwhelming. I am not gonna describe him here because I don't think I am getting the right words. I just don't want to write something that does not do him the justice. But whenever I am down I like talking to him because he is so positive and I just get so motivated after talking to him. He is an amazing teacher and a great human being. But it was a bit of a mixed day for me. From the last few days, I was kind of hap upset, I was just getting pissed off on every small thing. I don't know if I was feeling a bit home sick or these were mood swings but sometimes I think its just better let tho

Date - 04/09/2017 Yesterday, after talking to Kuldeep Sir and Vipin Sir, I was finally satisfied with the courses I had chosen for this semester. I was glad and all good to go. Our classes began today and I was really excited for today. Today I had my first class of Financial Management with Prof. Sungju Chun. It was a good class and will be taught entirely in English to my relief. Even the Professor was very friendly. It is going to be a little difficult for me but I think I am gonna enjoy it. Today Prof. Kim Ja Hye took our Korean Language class. I was so worried that maybe our teacher for the Korean class has been changed because Prof. Kim was teaching most part in Korean and I just could not understand a lot of it. But thankfully Prof. Park Sun Kyu will be taking our class. I have heard she is a very good teacher and is also very fluent in English. So, I was very happy to know there are no changes. In the Korean class, we learnt to write a few Korean alphabets and their pronunci

Date-03/09/2017 Today we went to a Buddhist monastery near the Gachon University campus. On our way to the monastery we also saw the green park which we referred to as the "Gym in Jungle" It was very beautiful and calm. Surrounded by the trees itself, it presents to you a beautiful view of the Seongnam city. It is even more beautiful and serene on the inside. Today we also went to eat outside with the two of our new Sri Lankan friends. I have finally selected my regular courses and will be starting with my classes tomorrow. #Today I think pictures can describe it better than my words. I am trying to sleep early from last 3 days but for some reason or the other I am the last one to sleep although I do try to take rest in the afternoons whenever I am free. But probably once the classes start I will be back to my normal routines.

Date - 31st August 2017 Today we had the Orientation Program for exchange students in Gachon University. Today we also met Prof. Joo. He is the manager of International Affairs, Gachon University. We were told about the necessary things to be done and the do's and dont's for our stay here. We also have to register for our regular courses within a week. Apart from my regular courses, I will also be opting for the Korean language. We had to take the Korean level test in the evening to take the Korean language so that they can evaluate our level and assign Korean class likewise. Not to our surprise, we were assigned level 1. We were among the students who didn't know Korean at all. But heir system of Education in the college is very different from that of ours in India. But I like the concept that in your college apart from your major you can choose any course of your interest from any of the departments here. I haven't decided what are the courses I will take but I

Date - 2nd September 2017 Today was a saturday so we went to a mall for shopping with our mentor. I bought myself a top and a skirt. We also watched Lotte World Tower. Thats the tallest building of South Korea. It is the first sky scrapper I have ever watched. For me even to capture that was so difficult, but I have made a try. We went there via subway and our achievement for the day was we came back alone from there. It was easy though once you understand things because everything is writen in English there. We also ate Aaloo ke paranthe today which were prepared by Anamika Di, Sheetal Di and Varsha Di. They were yummy and I loved it. Today Avi bhaiya played Cricket with a few of his new friends. We also enjoyed watching it. We all have our dinner together alongwith  Avinash bhaiya outside the dormitory on thebenches and then we go for an evening walk. But today we got to know some people thought we are family and what was even more bizarre is a boy thought Anamika Di is my mother.

Date- 01/09/2017 I love watching sunsets. In the evening I was feeling a little upset so just went to the ground. I walked a bit and then sat on the grass for a while. While sitting there, I noticed sun was about to set so I began to notice. I wasn't really in the mood and did not really enjoy it much but felt good to notice the sunset after long. I did not had much to do today. In the morning, we went for the Induction of Korean language class. Professor Park Sun Kyu is going to be our teacher for the Korean language class. Initially, I just hated the Korean language when I tried to speak a few Korean words through some apps back in India. But after coming here and learning a couple of words I am beginning to enjoy it. I also learnt how to introduce myself in Korean. Now I really want to learn Korean. I think its gonna be fun. Our classes will be starting from monday and I will be selecting my courses tomorrow. I am feeling really sleepy right now so good night guys. 😊