FTA's Corner: GM Korea Trip

Last November 9, 2012, my Relationship Marketing Class, through the kindness of our Professor and former GM Korea Director, Sung Sang Lee. We visited the General Motors Korea Company Bupyeong Plant to have an insight on the Korean Automotive Industry. Around the world, South Korea ranks fifth in automobile unit production, following China, US, Japan and Germany. 

General Motors Korea Company (GM Korea Co.) is the country’s third largest automotive corporation. It is one of GM's largest manufacturing, design and technology hubs. It manufactures vehicles for both international and domestic markets. GM Korea currently has three manufacturing plants in SK which are located in Bupyeong, Gunsan and Changwon. 

Our class arrived at the GM Korea Co. office at around 10 o’clock in the morning and we were greered by Mr. Chang-Jin Lee, the Product Planning Manager. He brought us in to meet the Director, Mr. Hyung-gook Chung. Director Chung gave us a brief background of not only the Korean Automotive Industry but also the status of the global auto industry. It was very nice to learn how big the car industry is all over the world and how stiff the competition has always been and will always be between brands, companies and countries. I also got the chance to ask about the Philippine market, and he mentioned about the current hindrances in penetrating the Philippine market but is hopeful that things will be easier in the years to come. 

After Director Chung’s presentation, we went to visit the manufacturing plant (Yay!). Plant Manager Manwoo Lee took us around the plant and explained the different processes going on. Ninety-percent of cars manufactured in the plant are for the global market while ten percent is for the local market. Because of this, several brands are being manufactured inside the facility because some cars have different names per country. For security purposes, taking photos inside the plant is not allowed. It was amazing to see different cars, including Chevys, in the process of production. Some were already in the final stages of production while others were just getting in the process of tire installation. It was fun to imagine that most of those cars will be running around other countries soon.

I left the GM Korea Co. with a renewed inspiration about the future. Being a business administration graduate student, I am hopeful that I will be part of an industry where I can contribute and apply what I have learned from my undergraduate education in the Philippines and moreover, my knowledge and experiences from the Catholic University’s Graduate School of Business. I am looking forward to more trips like this in my remaining year here in Korea. As for now, this GM Korea visit is definitely one of the most meaningful and unforgettable trips I’ve had.



TA Ruth Cruz

FTA's Corner: Adventure

Adventure, may it be big like staying for days on a secluded island or small like a spontaneous day trip or night out with friends, all these things fascinate me. Why? Since it is a unique way to discover and try new things. As you know, in adventure, you get to learn things in a very different manner, you get to know your friends and yourself more and some other things that you would not get to realize and experience when you stay in your comfort zone. 

In college, I started to go on adventures with my friends. Usually, we go to little-known places in the Philippines to explore and learn. Most of the time, since we all are avid travelers, we would brainstorm on the places we wanted to visit, think of what kind of transportation we would take in order to reach our destination and list the things we have to bring in our so called little adventure. 

We do not plan our itinerary. We just let things happen. In fact, it is actually more thrilling and fun when you just go with the flow. As a matter of fact, some of our most memorable adventures would be camping on secluded islands, swimming with whale sharks, taking surfing lessons, and staying in a fast food chain overnight just because all hotels were fully booked due to a festival. And those are what I consider the best experiences in my life. 

Going to Korea is one, if not, the biggest adventure in my life. During my first semester, I got lost twice. That was a scary experience for me since I didn’t have any knowledge of the Korean language. Hence, I couldn’t ask any person along the road for directions. 

That experience made me realize that I am indeed alone in a foreign country. At first, it was really scary since I wasn’t used to being independent. At home (The Philippines), I always have my friends with me, my family and I are able to communicate with other people since we all share the same language. But here in Korea, I am by myself. Being alone in a foreign country made me discover and do things on my own. Not until I found friends who share the same fascination with me. 

Last November 3, we planned to try a new café near the University but instead, we ended up going to Myeongdong. We ate dinner, strolled the streets and as to achieve the original plan, we decided to have coffee. Two of my friends are cat lovers, so they decided to try the cat café but since I am allergic to furry stuff, we went to another café. 

Since we were having so much fun, we lost track of time. Given the fact that it was already late, obviously, train stations will be closing soon and our dormitory has a curfew, we had no choice but to run to the nearest station to catch the last train. Thankfully, we were able to catch the last ride because if not, we do not know how to go back to the university. We were so worried and scared during that time but still managed to enjoy the moment. 

That little adventure of ours actually made us closer and made the trip action-packed and worth it. Though the bad part about it is we had to walk from the subway station to the University since we missed the last bus. 

With all the running and worrying, I consider it as one of the most exciting moments of my stay in Korea. Looking back at some of my adventures in this foreign land makes me smile and laugh. As a travel aficionado, I do look forward to my future adventures. 

Our life is our very own big adventure that we have to enjoy, uncover and share. Don’t be afraid to try new things so you could find out what else is there outside your comfort zone. I would like to end this post with a quote by Helen Keller: “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” So go out, explore, discover and learn new things.

by TA Raizza Tolentino

FTA's Corner: Sri-Lanka “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”

I thought of writing about my motherland, because many of you are not aware what the country is like. Sri-Lanka is widely known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” as it is located below India. Interestingly, on the map, it is shaped like the mango fruit. Sri-Lanka has also been a center of the Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. It boasts of a diverse range of peoples and traditions. There are the Sinhalese people form the majority of the population, but there also the Tamils who are concentrated in the north and east of the island and form the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Burghers, Malays, Moors and the aboriginal Vedda people.

Sri-Lanka is a republic and a unitary state which is governed by a semi-presidential system with its official seat of government in the capital Colombo, which is also known as the heart of the city. The country is famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, gemstones, coconuts, rubber and cinnamon. The island contains tropical forests, and diverse landscapes with high biodiversity. The country lays claim to a long and varying history of over three thousand years. Sri-Lanka’s rich culture can be attributed to the many different communities on the island. The country is a founding member state of SAARC and a member of United Nations.

Sri-Lanks has its own seven wonders, but since I will be unable to explain all of them, the most important ones will be highlighted. I will briefly name the seven wonders: The Sri Dalada Maligawa known as the Sacred Temple of the Tooth, Cave temple in Dambula, Religious place in Polonaruwa, Sigirya the famous rock, Kandy, Galle Fort and The elephant Orphanage.

Firstly, I would commence explaining about Sri-Dalada Maligawa. This is the famous place for housing one of the most worshipped Buddhist relics, the tooth of Lord Buddha; this temple is located in the fortified city of Kandy which is one of the seven wonders. Thousands of Buddhists from all around the world visit the temple every year, and because of its religious importance, Sri Dalada Maligawa and the whole of Kandy were added to the World Heritage list. Many tourists visit this place and currently Sri-Lanka has been ahead of the curve in the tourism industry.

Secondly, Polonaruwa is the ancient capital of the country and the rulers at that time were wise and organized. It is regarded as one of the best planned archeological sites in Sri-Lanka and the world, and its beauty is acknowledged by everyone.

Another wonder is the Sigirya, the famous rock visited by many tourists. It is known as the Lion rock, the eighth wonder of the world. Inhabited since the 5^th century B.C, it was a mountain monastery, but after King Kasyapa came into power, it was transformed into a fortress and a place of leisure. It was to serve as a safe heven in case the King's exiled brother was ever to return and claim his rightful place on Sri-Lanka’s throne. In the end, however, he ended up killing himself. There are paintings inside the rock. They still exist and remain beautiful after all these years. Also, on top of the rock the beauty of the whole area can be seen.

Next, Galle Fort was also added up to the World Heritage list for its historical and cultural value. 

It is one of the best preserved 17^th century colonial forts in the world, and substantial renovations inside the fort are strictly forbidden.

Another interesting site to talk about is the Elephant Orphanage that we have in Pinnawala, Kandy. The Orphanage was established to feed, nurse ,and house young elephants abandoned by their mothers and displaced from their natural environment by development projects. Most of the orphans cannot be introduced back into the wild, as other elephant family groups will not accept them. They enjoy a good life with their human parents, and many find good foster homes in zoos around the world. It is more interesting to visit an Orphanage during feeding or bathing time. Many tourists visit to see the performances of the baby elephants. Elephant orphanages are rarely built around in countries, which is why this place is really special.

Finally, Kandy, mainly known as the second city of the island, is a beautiful historical city in the citadel of the country. It was independently ruled by great kings for 225 years, but in 1815, the British came and took over it. The Sacred Tooth of the Lord Buddha was laid in a magnificent temple located in the city. The incomparable Perahera celebration, a procession of more than 100 elephants, is held here every August. Kandy is also famous for its tea cultivation.

I would like to conclude by saying that Sri-Lanka has become famous for a few other things. They export a wonderful tea known as “Ceylon Tea. In 1996, the national Cricket team won and brought fame to the countr. Sri-Lanka has its own marvelous beaches where tourists come to admire and see the beauty of nature. There are wide forests and also vast mountain areas.

I am happy to give some facts about my country and share about them with you. Being the only Sri-Lankan at CUK gives me pride and I am always proud to be a Sri-Lankan.

 

by  Siumie Dassanaike 

BILK (Because I Love Korean) Field Trip

For 3 consecutive semesters now, I have been a member of the group called BILK (Because I Love Korean). Basically, it is an exclusive group for foreign students living in South Korea who are studying in the Catholic University and staying in the in-campus dormitory.  BILK is facilitated by the dormitory management. The members are current students from various countries such as: The Philippines, U.S.A. Indonesia, Thailand, France, Nepal, India, Japan, Taiwan and China. The members are divided into groups of 4 or more people and are assigned one Korean mentor. The groups meet on a weekly basis and together we learn useful and basic Korean sentences, phrases and words that we could use on a day to day basis in our 2 year stay here in Korea.

As BILK members, the highlight of the semester is when we go out on a field trip. For this semester we went to Yangpyeong. It is a 2-3 hour bus ride from the school.  Last October 20, Saturday, we assembled at 8:15 in the morning in front of the IH Building and around 8:30 we left for Yangpyeong in 2 chartered buses.

When we finally reached Yangpyeong, our first stop is Yangsuri, the upper region of the Han River. Yangsuri is often used as set for movies because of its picturesque scenery. We went for a 1 hour walk and enjoyed the cool weather. After taking a walk we then went to Sanse Art Gallery to have lunch. There, we saw a traditional Korean house and a small cozy café. The place had a really nice ambiance. They served a delicious home cooked meal consisting of hot sticky rice, grilled pork, salad, some sausages and of course a Korean meal wouldn’t be complete without Kimchi! After eating and resting we then had another bus ride to go to our final destination, the Yongmunsa Temple. The Yongmunsa Temple is somewhat on top of a hill or a small mountain. We hiked for 30 minutes (or so I think it was but it felt longer) before we reached the top. On our way we passed by many streams and took lots of photos. When we reached the top, aside from the temples we saw Asia’s largest ginko tree. The tree is about 200 ft high and about 15 ft in diameter. It is believed to be around 1100 years old!  We were also instructed to drink the water coming from the small fountain because legend has it that drinking it will make you smarter! Of course we didn’t pass up on the chance of becoming smarter. The water was really fresh, cold and sweet. It was definitely a refreshing drink. Afterwards, we hiked back down because we need to leave the area by 4:00 in the afternoon.

Everyone was generally satisfied from the trip. We all took hundreds of photos! What made this trip extra special was because it was fall. It was a nice sight to see the leaves changing colors and falling down from the trees. Living in a tropical country like the Philippines, we do not usually get to see trees filled with red or yellow leaves. That is why fall is my favorite season of all. I am now looking forward for next semester’s (my last T_T) field trip! 

- by Karla Patricia Colmenar

Beginnings

Mid-term exams are finally over.  This means, we have all survived almost 2 months of being away from our loved ones.  For some this might mean as nothing special, but for others, like me, it’s quite the opposite.  For me, I look at it as an accomplishment.  I was able meet and know wonderful friends that I will forever treasure.

Looking back, it was only on the 27^th of August, where all the TAs gathered around and first met along with the professors that we would all be working with at the Global Lounge.  It was rather awkward at first because for some reason, we have yet to know everyone inside.  The newbies, like me and a couple of friends were given the chance to introduce ourselves to the group.  During that night, we were assigned to tasks we would be doing – some of us were assigned to do English Clinic and Clubs, one was assigned to being a CUK reporter while the rest of us would be Class TAs, and given the chance to interact with the group alongside the professor whom we would be working with.  Nobody knew then on how things would go and how friendship would be built towards each and every one of us.

In the middle of the first half of the semester, things have gotten more interesting.  As we see the faces almost every day and somehow in its own little way had the chance to bond with the other FTA’s.  Sometimes, I would be reminded by the saying “it’s not where you are; it’s who you’re with”, and would agree to that quote.  When I think of it, with them, I feel rather warm and happy.  They somehow, however they manage to do it, makes me (or maybe even you) forget the homesickness that a person might rather feel if they are on their own in a foreign country.

Bonding moments with them usually happens when we least expect them.  It usually happens when we don’t plan them.  Most of the time one person would suggest that we go outside our dorms and hang in front of the IH building and talk about whatever things we would want to blab out.  Other times movie moments work.  Sometimes a couple of friends and I would agree on a day (or not even set a day at all) on when to watch a movie.  

Somehow, in that way we bond in our own little way and create a memory worth remembering.  There are also times where we would coordinate on what we’d be wearing – one of my favorites would be this picture of us Filipinos together:

What we have built for some time now is rather an amazing treasure to me.  Like I said, I find it an accomplishment because I know having a friends like them is definitely one of a kind.  They are like precious gems – hard to find yet worth looking for.  

Going back to the fact that mid-terms are over, this also means one thing.  That is, we’ve only got half the semester left before we have a long break again.  For some it would mean going back to their respective countries while for others, it means one semester has been survived.  Birthdays, holidays, and school and work days may have come and gone but at the end of the day, it’s not how you did it that counts.  It’s the what you did and the friends that you made that matters and most of all the memories that you spent together and the magic where fate made us meet them, maybe not in the country where we came from but in Korea.

Making Friends

It’s only been a couple weeks and I’ve already met some really great people with great stories. Every single one of them has their own story. It’s interesting to listen to the students' future dreams. Some say they want to be professors, scientists, and some say they are still confused about what to do. I can definitely relate with them, especially about the confused part.

It’s also interesting to hear how close Koreans are with their family. I’ve never met anyone that close to their family. Korea is very family oriented and I really like that. I think one of the best parts about talking with the students is mentioning that in America, male and female dorms aren’t separated and we can have male roommates if we want. The reaction is priceless. Just like my reaction when I found out we were in separate floors. (I’m still angry about the fact that we don’t get a kitchen).

I don’t think I’m a funny person but my students laugh a lot at what I say because I tend to change subjects every thirty seconds.(like right now). I’ve told them about tripping down the stairs the first week of school, being hit by the elevator doors, and running into walls because I was so distracted all the time. I’ve already got to star in a student's music video for a class that promotes the school. I’ve also had dinner with many of the students and gone to noraebang with them already and it’s a blast! We then always manage to dance to "Gangnam Style" during most of our outings together. I’ve also gotten so much advice on where to go shopping from them so they are helping me get the best bargains! I’ve bought a lot of merchandise including Super Junior and Psy socks, jewelry, clothes, and makeup for less than 100,000 won! I’m still not done with shopping because I plan to do another shopping spree very soon.

Going back to the students, I feel really happy when they see me walking around and then they stop to say hi. I feel really thankful that they do that because sometimes I’m stressed out with a class that I just need someone to talk to. It’s the best feeling when they randomly see you in the hallway and run to give you a hug. We then start to fangirl over our favorite idols and start jumping and squealing. Another good feeling I get is when they sign up for me again or send one of their friends to sign up because they said good things about me. It really flatters me and makes me really really really happy! In conclusion, it’s been a blast so far. I’m really considering returning in the summer. I’ve just gotten really attached to this program in a month and I never want to leave T_T It’s just so great!

- 'ML' ~ a former TA

Paragliding in Korea

I have now been in Korea for about five weeks. Each weekend that I have spent here gets more and more exciting. This past weekend has by far been one of the best times that I have had, not only in Korea, but in my life. I was given an amazing opportunity.  Myself and a few friends all traveled to a place near Yong-In on Saturday. Around lunch time we all left Yeokguk station and rode the subway for about one and a half hours. Then we rode a bus for almost two hours. It has been the farthest I have been while here in Korea. Once we finally arrived at our final destination there was an amazing view. We could see many mountains and the air was much fresher than in Bucheon. We were picked up and brought to a school that teaches paragliding. Within the next hour I would get to fly! I have never been paragliding before but I was beyond excited. We were going to be strapped to a professional paraglider and would get to fly for about ten minutes. I was so excited to just get up there and have my turn but I was one of the last people to go. While I anticipated my turn I watched all of my friends land on the ground with huge smiles on their faces. They told me about how exciting it was for them and that just made me more excited to go. When it was finally my turn we rode a truck up to the top of the mountain. I’m pretty sure it should only fit like five people but we had about thirteen people all crammed into the inside of the truck. It was pretty uncomfortable but I didn’t care because soon I would get to fly. Once I got on the top of the mountain, the instructor picked me and started suiting me up. I was wearing a harness, gloves and a helmet. I wasn’t even on top of the mountain for ten minutes. It was so fast that I couldn’t believe that I had to wait so long for my turn. 

Once we were prepared for take-off my instructor told me to just run and don’t stop until he told me too. It felt like I was just running in place because we weren’t moving for the first couple of seconds. It was probably really funny to watch. Once I was in the air I felt so refreshed. It was such an awesome feeling. We took some pictures which felt really awkward because I looked like an idiot with that helmet on. Once we started taking the video it was really exciting. We took really sharp turns, which were extremely fun. My instructor compared the feeling to a roller coaster but I thought it was way better. I mean how many times you get to paraglide in your life.

I would say it’s much rarer than going to an amusement park. Once we landed I was told I should land on my butt, but one of my friends ripped her pants, so I didn’t do that. My instructor told me that I did a good job and that my flight was his favorite of the day. That made me really happy because it was awesome for me too. Once we all finished we went home and grabbed some dinner. Everyone talked about how awesome it was and we all wanted to go back again soon. It was the coolest thing I’ve done in Korea so far! Hopefully the upcoming weekends just get better.

-Sarah DeSpain 

Featured TA of the Week: Sarah

Shayla: “What do you think about being an English TA?”

Sarah: “Being an English TA has got to be the best job EVER. A year ago, I would have never thought that I’d be in Korea getting paid to do something that I love- TALK. Everyone I have met is just so enthusiastic and awesome. Even though it’s required on both ends for us to be there, it NEVER feels that way. All of the students are unique and bring something new and interesting to the conversation. It feels really genuine.”

Featured TA of the Week: Dan

Shayla: “Dan what do you like most about working in the Global Lounge?”

Dan: “I love playing games with the students in the Global Lounge. I have had a lot of fun with that. I've had some epic battles in Uno, Guess Who?, and Jenga. I have never seen a tie in Jenga before last week. “