S.Korean Relations in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is an area that is unfamiliar to me. When arriving to Cambodia for example, I barely knew anything about the whole place. A few things I knew about was the Angkor Wat temple and that Cambodia is a backpack friendly country with sleeping busses and cheap beer. 

The strong South Korean wave has reached and made an impact all over the world. The dramas, music, the korean beauty, the korean cuisine, fashion, cosmetics... you name it. 

Traveling around Southeast asia, I have realized that South Korea and all it has to offer, is something trendy and hip in these countries. Turning on the TV, they will be showing k-pop talkshows and performances, dubbed k-dramas and even korean commercials. 

Walking along the streets there will be plenty of korean BBQ restaurants, korean markets, korean cosmetic shops and advertisements using korean models. 

All these korean influences has probably reached these islands for a reason. Scrolling through news on the internet, South Korea has become Cambodia's biggest investor mainly focusing the manufacturing of garment, electronic parts, toys etc. One example, that came across while buying a pair of sunglasses was: "Good quality, made in Korea. Chinese quality bad, Korea good!" I got no clue whether this was true, were they actually made in Korea, or does it sound better if the product I'm buying is made in Korea instead of China?

South Koreans are also very active when it comes to traveling. People from China tend to be everywhere, but traveling in Southeast Asia, tourists from Korea appears to be everywhere aswell. South Korea provides the biggest tourist market to the Philippines and there is thousands of koreans living around Southeast Asia.  

Being exposed to all of the korean inspired things, makes me miss South Korea. There is a lot of things in me that has changed during my time there and I have started to enjoy and appreciate things I didn't before. This is how I feel after five months in South Korea. How will I feel when it's time to return to Finland and say goodbye to everything?  

Midterm Exams,

So it's time again, that's probably why it has been a bit quiet around here. In my case, I have four midterm exams and one presentation. Last semester my motivation was on top. Seriously, I was studying many hours a day with friends, all motivating and pushing each other to study hard. This semester, my motivation is down to zero. I have been sick lately, with flue, which doesn't make me more motivated at all. Tomorrow, it's time for my final exam. To be honest it could have gone better, but honestly, the most important thing for me right now is to pass the course and get some credits.

Many of my friends have been staying up all night, with no sleep attended an exam. This is what's crazy about the culture in Korea. Studying, yes is important, but sleep is also important. Our bodies needs rest, so does our brains. I have had friends, who are having a "secret" competition with another student in a library, who is studying for the most amount of hours, the one who leaves first - lose. Isn't that insane? Insane not strange, just different. In many countries, what you wear and how much your white basic t-shirt costs, has a huge meaning, while in Korea, they value how much time you spend with your books. A comment I receive from friends, when I told them that I studied the whole night: "Woah Meri, you work s hard! Such a good student!" How can they know that, did I even learn the things I was supposed to? I love Korea, and the people here, don't get me wrong! I just like to analyze and realize our differences in our culture and the way of thinking, thats all!

Some picture proof, that I have studied something at least. Taking pictures while studying them and sharing with friends and relatives, is also as important as the studying itself!

#Happy Seoul,

Pharrell Williams released the most happy song made in many year, and the whole world made it into a big thing. There is a #Happy video made from almost every country or city, which is amazing. An artist like Pharrell who has been in the industry for so long, got the biggest reward from his fans. The whole world heard his song and loved it. 

My personal favorite, don't be shocked, is Seoul's video! I especially like the fact that I can recognize many of the areas where the video is made and also the ballerina just tops it! What would have made the video even better, would have been drunk grandmas and grandpas dancing and jumping around. They really bring joy to Seoul's streets. Have a look at the video and also take a look at Pharrells reaction to this phenomena. http://elitedaily.com/music/pharrell-sobs-tears-of-joy-while-watching-the-world-dance-to-happy/

The video makes me happy!

S.Korea and Tourism Issues,

Since I am studying tourism, news affecting the tourism industry and the country's image is something we have to read about and be aware of. Speaking to a friend from Egypt, he mentions that there is a big issue harming the tourism industry approximately every sixth year in Egypt. When they have recovered from the disaster, there is a new one coming up. 

South Korea has been mentioned in the news a lot the past six months. Every year in autumn and spring, the whole world can read about the yellow dust traveling from the area of China and Mongolia over to South Korea and Japan. This is an issue affecting the tourism image of Korea, and can make a tourist change their mind about their holiday destination. 

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/03/116_153639.html

Another issue which took place this year in February, where 10 people were killed and 100 students were injured when a rooftop collapsed. Apparently because of heavy snow, the roof of an auditorium filled with 560 people caved in. How is this affecting tourism? Korea has approximately 100,000 international students from 171 different countries. I can imagine that this number is increasing since the korean wave is taking the world by storm. Unfortunately, these kind of news can have an impact on students thinking about universities and countries where to do their masters or study in general. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/17/roof-collapse-south-korea

Lately, there has been a lot of discussions about the latest issue. A ferry heading to Jeju Island decided to departure regardless of the bad weather conditions. The ferry was late and the captain decided to take a little shortcut that didn't make the trip faster at all. Nine has been reported dead, and there is still a lot of people missing. To read more about this, follow the two links below. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/17/roof-collapse-south-korea

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140417000896

These events have occurred during my time in South Korea. When these news have reached Finland, I have received messages from friends and relatives asking me if I'm still alive or asked me if any of my friend is in danger. Luckily, nothing has harmed me, except for the yellow dust which gave me a terrible cough last year, but that's about it. I hear about the ship sinking issue every day and there is always new updates. As it seems like, there are so many people still missing, and the boat is already under the surface, I doubt that there are many survivors. I hope, that's not the case. Tragedies like this doesn't occur often, the same goes with plane crashes etc. I pray for all of them, I can barely understand that this is happening so close to where I am at the moment. 

Global Field Trip,

This will be my second global field trip in Korea. Last semester, IFCC did a great job with organizing an amazing weekend with a lot of fun. After that weekend, we all became close friends and all of us are still talking about it and how much fun we had together.

It's the time again, for another field trip. Same place, but with different people. Last semesters trip was close to perfect, so to top that can be challenging. The most important thing is to have fun. We gathered at main gate, we got to know our teams and I was in the Mint team. When we had to decide the name of our team, it was hard. Mint isn't the easiest color, so we just decided to call ourselves Fresh Mint. Our team chant came out to be the best and we also won the competition where people had to do a split and create the longest line.

The evening continued with drinks, music, crazy people for sure and we created some unforgettable memories. Since I am staff this semester, I was lucky that I could share room with the staff. We had food and drinks together before sleeping. And oh yes, too much soju, for sure! The pictures says it all. And you better watch the video clip. All the good parts from yesterday! We did it, and I had a blast!

"Graffiti",

After spending seven months in South Korea, mostly around campus, I have realized one thing. In most european countries and America, graffiti covers many empty walls. In my opinion, they usually look messy, and there is no thought behind the spraying. 

In South Korea, and especially Hoegi, there is a lot of graffiti, but not what you are used to see. Very talented young koreans have been decorating the empty walls of Hoegis small streets. Now and then, there will be new art sowing up, which makes it more fun walking to school everyday. I never had the time to stop and take a closer look and snap a few photos, but finally I found the time! I just wanted to show a few of the hundreds and here they are. Isn't it amazing? 

All of these, can be found in Hoegi and most of them are located on the same street! 

Spring Celebration,

Kyung Hee Seoul Campus is famous for being the most beautiful campus in Seoul in spring. Students will gather in front of the main building to eat, drink and socialize. This is the place where probably one billion selfies are taken everyday.  

The other day, me and a few students enjoyed our lunch in front of the main building. What made us laugh was that big groups of students were paying korean drinking games and getting drunk in the middle of the day. Super fun to watch! 

You can feel how the campus atmosphere changed in just a few weeks. People are more happy, social and enjoys every day to the fullest. Although, I'm happier than ever, many and especially korean girls won't like the spring. The cherry blossom is a very popular thing for couples to watch together, go for a walk together and take romantic photos together, which can be sad for a single korean girl. I can completely understand, every year there is over ten different "couple" days and without a boy or girlfriend, it might get a bit lonely. But I don't have time to be sad, I get happy when I see our beautiful campus. Pictures can't describe how beautiful it is here at the moment. 

The Language of Fashion,

Approximately one month ago I was asked for an interview. The magazine is called "The University Life" and it's the english university magazine of Kyung Hee University. I met up with Alena, a Belarusian girl who is a reporter for the magazine. Me with other international students were discussing about fashion and how important it is in our home countries. 

In Korea, looking pretty and following trends is extremely important. Just a while ago, short haircut became a trend, so many of korean friends decided to cut their long beautiful hair, because of a trend. In Finland, it's more important to feel comfortable and find your own unique style. We will attach some of the new trends, but mostly make it our own. 

This might be seen as a stereotype. I see Koreans everyday, and since fashion is a subject I'm interested in, my eye catches everything that has to do with fashion. A typical Korean girl will cover her shoulders, not show her chest, but will definitely have the shortest skirt combined with a thin long sleeved shirt, a cute bag or expensive backpack and a pair of sneakers/running shoes. The guys will also wear a shirt with skinny jeans or tight pants with their sneakers looking like running shoes. Koreans definitely know how to look good, but when it comes to the choice of footwear, I'm not sure if I like it or not. 

Here is the magazine, available at Kyung Hee Campus, if anyone wants to read it.