Dankook University International Summer School 2011

Participants Pre-Travel Thoughts

An Introduction…

This is the first time that HELP students will participate in Dankook University’s International Summer School. Fourteen students are bound for Dankook’s Academic Program from July 10-August 5, 2011, and three are participating in the Intensive Korean Language and Cultural Program from July 31-August 19. Six students have been awarded full scholarships worth at least USD2,400 while the rest have all been given partial scholarships of USD1,000. Two students Elizabeth Lim and Yeap Ming Liong were selected to teach English for 3 weeks to Dankook students in a program called the ‘English Village’. Let’s see what are the views of from some of the participants prior to their program!

Vidhyalashmi N K Bachelor of Communication (Hons)

When the announcements were first put up, not many students were aware of what the Korean Summer Cultural Experience Program was really about. But soon enough, lecturers from different departments such as Communication, Psychology, Accounts and Finance, UEL and ADP had informed their students of the program, and students began to approach HELP’s Customer Marketing Department (CMD) for the first round of interviews. Scholarships were offered, both partial and full, and the game was in full swing.

While all of us are very excited to go to Korea, we also made it a point to have a few bonding sessions between us, in order to help us know each other better and have a great representation of HELP University in Dankook. One of it was the Food and Beverage sale that took place for a full two weeks.

Yee Shoon: ‘Please buy some of our delicious Ribena!’

One of our best-selling items, curry fishballs!

Arranging items for the sale!

Some of the cash we earned!

Three weeks before their departure, HELP threw a celebration dinner to commemorate the participants’ efforts in fundraising and as another platform for bonding among the participants.

Ms Dorothy Chen from CMD briefing us. During Icebreakers.

This took place at S’mores in The Sphere, near Bangsar South. The food was great, and the icebreakers arranged by Angelina and Kim were greater. All participants had a jolly time, and now as the clock ticks, we are in anticipation of what awaits them in Korea.

In a Group!

Yeap Ming LiongBachelor of Communication (Hons)

The chance to study and have fun at the same time brought us (Korea Summer Cultural Experience Program 2011 participants) all together. The thought and experience of being able to further expose ourselves academically and to visit South Korea, came as a delight and joy to all of us. Two Korean Universities namely Dankook University and Kyung Hee University have given us the opportunity to do so.Ming Liong (third from left) with his students at Dankook

University

The virtual boundaries of academic departments will disappear and we will all become student ambassadors of HELP University College and Malaysia. We did not distinguish ourselves as students from the Communication department or Psychology department or Business department. We are one; we are the Participants of the Korea Summer Cultural Experience Program 2011

Ming Liong at Dankook: soaking up the sun and the new experiences!

The initial stage of applying and the long wait for the results of our application. We converged at meetings to get to know one another and to be acquainted with our HELP University College program liaison Ms Dorothy Chen and her assistant Ms Angelina. Little did we know that from meetings to ice-breaking sessions, we would become a family and form a bond of friendship and esprit de corps. Strangers became friends, friends became family.

With this newly forged alliance amongst us, we took it to greater heights, where meetings and brainstorming sessions took place for the purpose of raising funds to assist ourselves financially. Finance was just the white veil unto our eyes. Friendship and the spirit of togetherness was the currency in use.

We concurred and embarked on our journey of selling food and beverages in front of KPD A to our friends, students and the staff workforce of HELP University and surrounding offices. The initial stage was tough as we had limited finance and a sky-high target to achieve. The encouraging words from Ms Dorothy Chen and friendship among participants made us persevere and work towards our goal.

Brainstorming sessions had already been cooking in our kitchen - to further explore and to tap the potential of our target market and to further challenge ourselves to reach greater heights.

To top it all, HELP invited all the participants for dinner. The warm feeling of family was reinforced and nurtured in our souls once again.

Undergoing student life is a golden opportunity and an unforgettable journey. In the words of Master Card: Working towards a financial budget RM XXX, preparing for a great time of fun, leisure and studies. Priceless.

On that note, friends and participants of Korea Summer Cultural Experience Program 2011, let’s make ourselves, our families and friends and Malaysia proud.

Ps: Please do not forget to bring along your plastic money. Major credit cards accepted.

Adeline Chew Jia Hui Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)

This is my first time to Korea, and it’s really exciting for me! I’m a huge fan of almost everything Korean, from the language to the dramas and even the food! And not forgetting the awesome K-pop industry too! For this trip, I’m hoping to be able to experience the different culture there, and also try out all the Korean food. Besides that, I’m also hoping to visit the beautiful places that I’ve seen in dramas and on the Internet. I hope everything will go well for all of us, and that we’ll be able to make lots of new friends from all the different countries during the course of this program.

Cassandra Ho Su LynAmerican Degree Transfer Program

St Augustine said that the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Not unlike the others, I hope to be able to immerse myself in the vibrant culture and traditions while in Korea. I look forward to visiting museums and old palaces, the bath house (which I was told I should definitely visit) and Everland! – with some shopping in between of course – and ultimately just learn what makes Korea, Korea! I also hope to satisfy my inner foodie with spicy rice cakes (!), bulgogi (!!), Korean pancakes (!!!!!), street food (!!!!!!!!!!!!) – and I should probably stop here. Hopefully at the end of this trip I’ll also learn to be more open to other people and cultures in addition to building friendships that can last a long, long time. So, in short, what do I expect from this trip? Other than adding another page to my book of the world, I hope that this trip will broaden my outlook and ultimately help me grow as a person.

Tseu Shi YiBA (Hons) Accounting & Finance

University of East London 3+0 Program

One more week to go! Actually I’m packing now. While doing so, I can’t stop myself from imagining and hoping for what might happen in KOREA! I do especially hope to meet a friendly and active roommate as I’m going to stay with her for a month. To be able to bring lots of souvenirs back to Malaysia after this trip and SWEET MEMORIES! Well, the main purpose of this trip is to experience the life of a student, whilst studying abroad. I have never done this before and may not have another wonderful opportunity like this come by me again. So hopefully I will be able to fully enjoy the trip and everything will go as smoothly as possible. Dankook, I’m coming!

Low Chern HongBA (Hons) Accounting & Finance

University of East London 3+0 Program

Hi!!! I’m super excited now as we are going to Korea in a week’s time! This is my first time to Korea and I hope to fall in love with it! I have done much research about the food and places of interest in Korea and I hope to enjoy my summer over there to the fullest. I will be taking ‘International Finance’ and ‘Beginner in Korean’ as my subjects in Dankook. I hope I will increase my finance skills after I graduate from this summer course. Besides that, I have never learnt any foreign language before and the Korean language will be my first. I hope to be able to speak fluent Korean when I return to Malaysia. Moreover, I hope I can bring pride to both HELP and Malaysia, by playing the role of a student ambassador while I am there. I’m currently hoping that time will fly faster in order for the 8th of July to come as soon as POSSIBLE!!!! HELLO KOREA!!! HERE I COME!!!!

Ross StephensonBachelor of Psychology (Hons)

• While some dread the prospect of leaving home for a month in an unfamiliar country, I relish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The moment I saw the flyer regarding this cultural program being held in Korea, I knew I had to join. Not only would I be experiencing Korea for the first time, but I now have the ideal chance to test out my independent living skills (which my mother has been drilling in me for so many years) to the best of my ability. Our group has also gone through a fundraising activity too in hopes of raising some profits to subsidize the costs of the trip. Now while our profits may not have met the target, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the process and the teamwork has really brought us all so much closer together. It’s especially important, considering we are all

that we have while in Korea. Additionally, I do intend to make as many friends as possible, from all over the world. As for the unique Korean cuisine, well, I have yet to try anything distinctly Korean before in my life, I hope to then experience it in FULL FORCE! After all, who better to appreciate good food than a Malaysian? I’ve even taken a stab at some useful Korean phrases… Haha hopefully they’ll understand my accent =) I know we’re all going to have an AWESOME time together in Korea. Now all we have to do is wait patiently for our flight to depart!