Life in Korea: First Day at Keimyung Daehagyo

Life when I was in Korea was awesome and life-changing. I had so many unforgettable memories that I will keep for a lifetime. Some of them are also happened to be things that have changed me personally. In the coming posts, I'd like to share some stories I've encountered when I was an exchange student there. So without any further do, I'll recall my journey!

So everything started in the beginning of March 2012 after I made it through an exchange student selection process in my home university. I was so thankful that I was ever given this opportunity, because apparently Korea had been my major destination that I'd always want to visit. I was so lucky that I got to travel here not as a tourist but as a legitimate exchange student. It was one of the happiest moment of my life, enough said.

I went to Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. Daegu is located in the southern part of Korea and it is one of the biggest cities in Korea along with Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon. The first time I stepped my feet out of the airport it was still freezing. It was late winter that time and I was a little concerned if it will get colder since I haven't prepared enough winter outfits. It was my first winter experience, so although it was cold I was kinda having my moment of glory lol.

In the airport I met Minah, my first ever Korean friend who happened to be my best friend. She was my buddy, the one who suppose to assist foreign students throughout our very first weeks in Korea. I was so lucky to had her as my buddy, she was a nice girl that was also so helpful. There's this funny thing upon our first meeting in Daegu. So after we had a little introduction chat, she asked me if I want to take taxi or take public transport to get to our university dorm. I didn't know which one's the best so I let her decide. She decided to take subway because its cheaper, but seeing all my luggages, she was a little concerned about me carrying them all the way to the subway station. So we took a taxi to bring us to the nearest subway station, then continued taking subway to our dorm.

Keimyung University Main Gate ( Saw this somewhere?, It was in Boys Before Flowers Drama )

Subway station in Daegu was good and clean, it's simple and only has two subway lines which was really easy to memorize. We took the green line and heading towards Keimyungdae-yog ( Keimyung University Station ). It wasnt my first time taking subway ( I've been in Singapore MRT before ), but it was my first time taking subway in winter time, which was interesting because the seats were surprisingly very warm. After 45 minutes we arrived in Keimyungdae-yog, it was not that busy that day. We got out of the station and we could see the university main gate in front of us. I was having my relief moment when Minah said that we must walk a bit more to get to the dorm. I was like, oh okay we've already seen the university gate it means the dorm must be somewhere close. But I was wrong, we walked to dorm for another 20 minutes, which nothing like "a bit more" for me. Besides that, I was so surprised because the way to dorm was such a struggle because we had to walk pass a freaking hill. So, our dorm was located on the back of the hill and the only way to get there was by passing that hill. For the next couple of months I spent in Keimyung University, that hill had been part of my everyday life, I should pass that hill whenever I want to go outside of dorm. Back to the first day story, so finally I managed to pass that freaking hill with all my luggages. I was safely arrived in dorm feeling like a zombie. I didnt have enough sleep because of the 8 hours flight to Daegu plus the surprise hill I just passed.

Part of the Hill heading to Myungkyo Dormitory

Myungkyo Dormitory

In the afternoon, Minah was nice enough to ask me out to have lunch after I put all my luggage in my room. With a little energy left, I followed her along because I haven't had anything that day. In front of the dorm gate we met another buddy with a foreign student with her. The foreign student was Anu, a girl from Finland who later happened to be one of my best friends during my exchange time. So, four of us then decided to have lunch together. It was my first lunch in Korea and I remember we were having tteokpoki ( spicy korean rice cake ), fried rice, kimchi, and some soup. It was the first day in Korea and it's already challenging with all the hills and the experience that waited me for the next coming months.

Bada

Changing Seasons

Recently season has been changing, rain has started pouring. The college life of mine has also been concluding as I'm finishing up my graduating preparation. Life waits me up ahead. 

It scares me somehow, but apparently there's nothing to do but standing tall and believing true to your self. Our fear might get bigger but having people around that always be so positive and supportive ease every encountering worries. 

I strongly believe life would be fair for everyone that work hard pushing their limits and always believe in their dreams. Nothing worthy comes easy, that explains everything. Every drop of tears and sweats would be paid off in the end. I might not be the most positive person on earth, I just don't want to find myself regretting in the future. I will stick this 5 cm on my forehead. Today, 22 years old Bada declare to himself and to the rest of the world that he would not get bent to failures, he would always find a way to achieve his dreams, he would never underestimate anyone around him, and he always believe that if he had gave his best, God will do the rest. 

I dedicate this posting for myself and my friends that have been graduating and started chasing their dreams :). Our journey have just begun, fighting!