I was in Korea (Gimhae, Busan to be exact) for two weeks in March last year for a culture program organized by Gimhae Women Welfare Center.
The organizer was a ex-lecturer from MMU and she saw an opportunity for students to experience Korean culture through this program.
Michelle asked me to join her and her friends on this trip and I was like why not. It was a long semester break and I had nothing better to do.
Prior to this trip, I had no knowledge of anything about Korea. It wasn't even on my bucket list of places to visit. I wasn't into the whole K craze that everyone was in. I wasn't into K dramas or Kpop. I was in my own lil comfortable bubble. But after this program, it totally change my whole perspective. I'm still not into the whole K craze but I'm totally coming back to Korea (but to Seoul or maybe Jeju next time)!
Arriving at Busan airport after a long 7 hour flight.
The lady in the red jacket on the top left is the organizer of this trip, Kim EuNa.
The lady in the red jacket on the top left is the organizer of this trip, Kim EuNa.
For anyone who plans to buys a prepaid sim. Damn expensive but me and Michelle both bought and shared one tho.
Here's an article someone shared with us regarding WiFi and Prepaid sims in Korea (click me).
But in my personal opinion, don't buy. There's free open almost everywhere.
But in my personal opinion, don't buy. There's free open almost everywhere.
Mandatory welfie with Michelle and her friends
We used the train to get to Gimhae Women Welfare Center while our luggages were transported by lorry.
It's fairly easy to navigate once you know where you are and where you wanna go.
Our destination was Bonghwang which was only a few stations away from the airport.
Dinner was prepared by people at the welfare center. Home-cooked Korean dinner.
It doesn't look much but I had second servings of dumplings and strawberries.
Itinerary for the next two weeks
I think I'll just skip the boring parts about classes and get into the more interesting parts.
I think I'll just skip the boring parts about classes and get into the more interesting parts.
We stumbled upon a convenience place quite near where we stayed and tried some of the local popular foods that people rave about.
Day 1 of Program
I admit the first class was quite boring. I almost fell asleep in class. Thank goodness there was free flow of coffee, tea, and fruits.
It stared getting fun when they asked us to change into their traditional Hanbok for a traditional tea ceremony.
It stared getting fun when they asked us to change into their traditional Hanbok for a traditional tea ceremony.
The lady on the right was the one that taught us how to wear Hanbok and how to behave and what to do in a traditional Korean tea ceremony.
Tidbits to go with the tea
After that they brought us out to our next class which was a makeup class.
Instead of watching how they makeup, some of us went shopping inside. Maybe because the place was small and not all of us could see what she was doing.
When they said that it was a lot cheaper to buy beauty products in Korea they were not kidding. We got crazy shopping inside. Masks were like 1,000won a piece and plus if you buy 10 you get another 10 FREE!
Does she look Koeran?
The adults gave us free range after dinner so we just walked around and explored more of Gimhae after that.
That's all for now. Till next time.
