Unforgettable moments in my life

 by : Sengsouriya phoudthavong

       p.sengsouriya@studenti.unipi.it

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My name is Sengsouriya Phoudthavong or just call me Lee. I am a fulltime lecturer from Savannakhet university, Lao PDR. I am a first batch of Heat Scholarship program. I have been studying at Department of Agricultural and Resources Economics, Kangwon National University. My journey was start from fall semester 2020 or another words, I already spent 1 year and half in South Korea. I would like to share all my experiences from the first day before and after got this scholarship and also every great memory. I hope that it is not too long for you to go through all of these experiences. I also add some tips from my experiences that might helpful for potential interested applicants and new HEAT fellows. 

HEAT’s applications preparation is first and foremost procedure for applying for scholarship, therefore be careful keep due date of application deadline. Second prerequisite thing is always reminding yourself being confident and show your strong ambitious thought in interviewing day by thoroughly prepare an important information like the fields of your interested research, methodology to conduct that research, and if you can give potential supervisor name is good preparation. I do hope that after you go through my stories then it will encourage you to apply for HEAT scholarship and acquire good memories as I got as well.

          Everyone who entered Korea, same time with me have to quarantine in a designated place for 14 days. It was one of unique experiences that unforgettable. I won’t go on detailed since you also just go through it. Lucky me at that time I had quarantine in the university's dormitory and after 14 days I just carried my luggage to the nearby dormitory. In my dormitory, there are designed for 2 students and an equipped kitchen inside. It is very convenient for cooking. Under the basement of the dormitory there are a lot of facilities that convenient utilization for daily life like washing machines, microwave, water filter, iron bar, and fitness room.

 

 

Due to covid outbreak situation so many courses cannot arrange face-to-face class as usual but some classes also still open face to face. Anyway, we have to follow strictly the regulation by wearing mask anytime in the classroom and also have a plastic sheet to separate each table same time with social distancing. Many classes were conducted the lesson through university’s online platform but before ending each course we have to present our group working in the class.

           

        In the early days here, it was quite difficult to stay and occurred some barriers in language. Anyway, after a few months when I could catch some basic conversation in Korean and had some friends to talk to then life was easier. Thank useful apps like Papago apps that help me to deal with this matter. Then I will suggest you in the next section of this essay. We Heat have our lab for self-study that our department designed for us. That room was fully equipped with convenient facilities that are necessary for studying and working on our work including a desk computer, printer, and high-speed Wifi. Additionally, our lab also has other appliances like a refrigerator and microwave so we can be working late here by stocking our foods and beverages we can eat anytime if we don’t want to go back home. When we have our lab for self-study like this our lab members (Heat members) can have a chance to discuss our work and share ideas about our course’s assignment. It is a good place for learning together. 

   

 A special event like International Youth Leader Exchange Program(IYLEP) that I have a chance to attend TEDx Talk competition even our team cannot get the first prize but it was my great opportunity to do things that I have never done before. I also have a chance to contribute my words to this event. The worth of the event is not about getting the prize but I can get to know new friends and overcome myself in developing critical skills and presentation skills that would be helpful in the near future when I have to defend my work in the thesis defense committee.

During summer break and winter break, my university especially the Office of International Affairs (OIA) will have a lot of activities related to building the soft skills of foreign students. Learning new soft skills including making cakes, drawing, decorating stuff, and K-Pop dancing. All of these activities are likely the missing activities I didn't experience during my childhood. These activities just filled that gap, and I hope that I can bring these skills back to my children.

  

 

           In addition, I also have a chance to learn new things that I have never done before like performing choir of Chuncheon city, and learning how to ski. The Rhythm of Chuncheon is a choir group that gathering of foreigners and Koreans who are working and studying in Chuncheon. More than that it was a group of people loving singing. To be part of these activities not only heals my mood after suffering from a stressful, anxiety attack and homesick syndrome but it also makes me proud of myself that once time, I ever served something back to Chuncheon City, Korean government in particular. Moreover, I can challenge myself and make it to be great memories that I can bring back home when I have to depart from this city and this country.

 

          

 Another unforgettable experience is learning how to ski and how to skate the snowboard. I always dreamed of having a chance once to experience this kind of sport but as you know, my country is in a tropical monsoon area and never drops one piece of snow. When I was young, I only enjoyed this kind of sport by playing a video game about snowboarding and skiing, and always stick in my mind that if one day I have a chance to do it I won’t skip or hesitate to try it. Thanks to my friends who joined me on this trip, sharing and experiencing together. Even at my first sliding the board it is quite difficult and always slippery but after several falls down, fall down and fall down then I could enjoy it even though I am still not that good at it. Hopefully, next winter season will have a chance like this again and it might be my last winter season in Korea.

         The latest activity that I joined early this year was being a member of a volunteer group. By joining this group, I have an opportunity to serve back to Korean society and utilized my semester break wisely. The aim of this activity is to deliver charcoal briquettes for elderly people who need those charcoal briquettes for warming their house in this winter season.

      

        My favorite activities during the weekend such going cycling, going hiking during the summer break with friends and playing some sports like badminton, football, and basketball. Anyway, cycling is my favorite activity. I got my bike from Karrot market or an online flea market where you can find reasonable and still good condition stuff there. Anytime I feel stressed or fall into the vibe of homesickness I will spend my time on my bike and go long way on the bike lane outside the city. Then, I can spend time for myself to think and calm down the bad mood that might happen when you stay alone for a long time and are depressed sometimes. The bike lane in my place is very nice and safe due to the city government’s consideration of bike lanes for cyclists and everyone who loves cycling.

          

        My university also always organizes the city tour and tourism famous places that are taken in charge by the Office of International Affairs. In my first year, I had a chance to visit the famous places of Ganwong provinces such as Nami Island, Inje forest, and Rail Park where I could enjoy the beautiful scenery of autumn season alongside the rail way with colorful tree leaves. Recently, OIA also guided us to the grand new opening of an attractive tourist place of Chuncheon city called Cable Cart Samaksan. On the top of that mountain, I can enjoy the views of Chuncheon City and the hydro electricity generator dam of the city. It is one of the tourist places that you shouldn’t miss if you have a chance to come to Chuncheon city.

  

       Last but not least, I am strongly recommended the HEAT program to all Asian lecturers who seeking a university to pursue Ph.D to become part of the Heat family. For all new HEAT members, I hope you will gain successful academic life and acquires tremendously beautiful moments life in Korea as I met. After graduation, I do hope to become a person who possesses the spirit of “Sil-Sa-Gu-Si” as KNU’s founding spirit and the dissemination of the greatness of South Korea, especially the greatness of KNU to my community and my students. Furthermore, I do hope I could keep relationships and collaboration with all professors in department who will help in special lectures or workshops in my deparment. Especially my supervisor who will continue to be a co-author of future research. Meanwhile, I also hope that I could invite professors in the department to join as keynote speakers in my university conference or symposium. In this last section, I have some tips suggestions during staying in South Korea that you should know as following.      

       Firstly, about traveling you should have a mobile application such as Kakao map, Kakao T, KakaoMetro. I use these apps when I need to go anywhere. For instance, the Kakao map is one type of online map which is similar to Google map but its function is quite easy to use and accurate in terms of searching destinations and bus routes. Kakao T is an app used for calling a taxi and its function is very good for those who cannot speak Korean because we can set the destination to the place that we want to go with no need to say anything to a taxi driver. And the next app called KakaoMetro is my favorite one because even the train system in South Korea very complicated and busy system but with these applications, you can easily transfer to the next station. And the arrival time of the trains that display on this application is very accurate.

      Secondly, refraining from going out during the covid outbreak era, shopping online is a good alternative. The apps that I recommend are Coupang and Karrot. You can buy anything in Coupang. You also can sell and buy secondhand things in Karrot applications. It is seeming like an online flea market community and you could find interesting stuff with a reasonable price there and the nearby areas of your place. Additionally, don’t forget to be memberships of any mart that you often go for shopping, buy food and any stuff because you could get discount and collect point for a special event then you can get a gift voucher.

       Thirdly, Conversation translator application namely “ Papago”. It is a very useful application for an early day in Korea when you cannot speak well in Korean. Because, early days in Korea you have to go to do a lot of documents including making an alien registration card, opening a new bank account, opening a key card for a dormitory, and buying a SIM card. If you don’t have any friends who can guide you to go those places that I mentioned you have to have that application to help you as your buddy.

       Fourthly, you should always check the weather before going out. Starting from March to May of each year at that time of year, there is a national disaster called yellow dust. It is recognized as yellow-colored sand dust which originated from the deserts in the northern part of China and the dry zones of Mongolia. It was very fine dust particles known as PM 10 increased up to 610 micrograms per cubic meter. Yellow dust has highly concentration that can bring health risky and harmfully. It can cause sore throat, dry eyes as well as respiratory complications for vulnerable and sensitive individuals like the elderly. The tips to avoid these circumstances. Firstly, you should try to avoid going outdoors and if you do, you must wear proper protective masks. And when you are at home, you should make sure that windows are close to avoid yellow dust flowing in. The air purifiers or humidifiers may also helpful. Finally, make sure to check levels of yellow dust in your area through the application called Airvisual to check air quality on a foggy and cloudy day or you can check the air quality in real-time at www.airkorea.or.kr

    

          Finally, In the winter season, the weather in this season is absolutely crazy for Asian people like us. I had never experienced extremely cold like this before. Dry cold air at night while deeply sleeping makes me feel a scratchy throat, and sore throat after the next day because of that dry cold air. To cope with this distraction to your health you might frequently drink warm water instead of cold water and find a personal humidifier in your room. Eating good food and doing basic exercise in your room then you will be able to confront with freezing weather in Korea. Here are some tips for keeping warm while you're inside: 1) Set your heat to at least 20–22°C to save on heating bills. 2) Make sure your house or room isn't losing heat through windows by keeping your curtains closed. 3) Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house. 4) When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and use extra covers. 5) Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don't eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you to stay warm. 6)If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend. Are you ready for the first snow? and enjoy the winter season in Korea.