I just have to start off by saying that the past couple of days have been so intense. We had orientation with KUBA (Korea University Buddy Assistants – they’re pretty much required for exchange students), who showed us around and helped us get basic things, like cell phones and bank accounts and student IDs. I don’t feel like going into detail about what this week has been like, because it’d take so long, so I’m going to sum it up into a list.
Words from a wise KU student:
- Don’t live in on-campus housing. At least, don’t live in CJ International House or Frontier House. I didn’t mention this earlier, but the walk up the hill to both is brutal (CJ being much worse). I dread the thought of having to walk up the hill once a day, and in reality, I go up it several times a day. There are plenty of off-campus housing options really close to main campus that are cheaper and better. Also, CJ is really far from main campus AND the science campus. The only redeeming factor is that there are buses that shuttle between CJ and the two campuses, but don’t count on them.
- Tell your KUBA buddy you want to look around for the best cell phone deal. KUBA buddies and exchange students are split up into many groups (there were 10 this year), and each group went separately to look for cell phones. Our group went to a cell phone dealer in the Science Library in Hana Square. Don’t go there. The prepaid phones are rather shitty. The truth is, if you don’t want to pay for a monthly plan, you will have to get used prepaid phones that may or may not work well. I have friends who bought used prepaid phones whose enter buttons don’t work. And they can’t even return them, since we didn’t get receipts. Be very careful. If you have a family member in Korea, make them buy you a phone on their plan.
- There is no online course registration at KU. That means, you have to go to the International One-Stop Center along with over 500 other exchange students who are all hoping to get into the same classes. I really, really hated this. A lot of the classes I got approved ended up being full by the time I could sign up, so I’m taking 2 Korean language classes. There’s an add and drop period, but that’s also done manually. I really wish KU would switch to online course registration like US universities do.
So much heavy stuff. I’m going to post a new post later with happy touristy things. For now, here is a picture of my friend Thanh and I in Myeong-dong in front of a Won Bin picture :)
This is my desk! I’m sitting next to the balcony (which isn’t very big, but you can walk out and see the city line). There’s a wardrobe to the right.
This is my desk, a bit unorganized at the moment, but it gets great sunlight! And the chairs are rolling; they’re pretty stylish :)
This is Christine, one of my suitemates. We have bunk beds! Warning: the bunk beds are a bit low, watch out for when you sit up – you might hit your head!
This is my wardrobe/closet. It’s pretty spacious, with not quite a full-length mirror. There are two rows of drawers on the bottom, and plenty of closet space. They don’t provide any hangers, so bring you own or be prepared to buy some. There is a convenience store right next door to CJ on the campus, so that’s a plus.
We’re off to a bus tour of Seoul soon, so be back later!
…and I’m stuck waiting at Incheon Airport all by my lonesome! I cried for my knight in shining armor to come rescue me…and it’s been over an hour and I still don’t hear galloping coming my way…going to crumple up in a ball now and cry some more…
But seriously, I thought I’d have my study abroad program team waiting for me at the airport once I arrived. And they are nowhere to be found. Nowhere. And since my cellphone doesn’t work in Korea, there’s no way I can call them (not that they have a phone number in Korea anyway, so lose-lose situation). So…I’m stuck here waiting by myself for the next three to four hours. LOVELY.
At least Incheon has really nice free wifi. There was this guy who approached me, probably because I was looking really tired and annoyed having difficulty push my baggage cart, and I didn’t understand what he was saying, so I said, “Hangungmal chal mottaeyo.” And he’s like, “Ahh…Jipon?” And I’m like…”No, Miguk” LOL I’ve never met anyone who thought I was Japanese. Well there’s a first for everything.
UPDATE: So I just found the other girl from my flight! She was just as lost and confused as I was! FUCKING A MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!
UDATE #2: So I’m in my dorm at CJ International at Korea University! It’s 6 AM on Wednesday morning, August 18, 2011. I’m wide awake because I got soo many mosquito bites during the night! Good thing I brought anti-itch cream because I’d seriously be bitching all day about it.
My room is share with another girl (a double) and we share bunk beds (I got the bottom bunk). We’re in a suite with another double room and a single room. CJ rules are that there are female and male only floors, so you can’t be caught on the wrong floor. I’ll post pictures of the room later, because right now my roommate is sleeping soundly!
Here’s my update with pictures from the airport!
karainseoul 