2nd July 2010: Impressive Koreans

~Written on the Korean soil~

We finally touched down in Incheon International Airport at about 7.30am. The airport facilities was impressive, there were AEDs everywhere. Though it was not as happening as Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport, it deserved the to be in the list of world 5 stars airport ranking by Skytrax with the other 2.

At the arrival hall, we were greeted by the program manager, Ms. Yu, Mr. Park, Mr. Kim and Ms. Sung. They all spoke fluently in English. We were then transported to the Lexington Hotel passing the Incheon City into the Seoul Metropolitan , experiencing the Seoul traffic.

Malaysian delegation with Ms Yu and Mr Park

When we finally reached the hotel, wao....never thought of getting such a luxurious accommodation. It was a 3 or 4 stars hotel and I was lucky to get the room to myself.

After refreshing ourselves, we gathered at the lobby and went to the hotel restaurant for buffet lunch. This was the first hiccups for the Korean. Our fellow countrymen did not eat those food saying that the food was non halal. With all due respect for my friends, especially the one seated in front of me, I didn't eat much as well despite the superb food being laid.

As I was appointed to be the interpreter for our Malaysian delegation, I have to explained our situation to the Koreans and asked for more vegetarian or seafood meals for our team. It was really hard to explain to them on our Malaysian understanding of 'Halal' food. Got to cover the type of meat, slaughtering method as well as the utensil used. :S Just discovered that the middle East Islamic followers were less strict in terms of food selection.

After the meal, we headed to the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service, TOPIS operation center. This was the control and monitor hub of the transportation system in Seoul. They have a super impressive and well organized system. The system covered managing the subway system and public buses as well as road traffic management. They have CCTV to monitor the traffic flow as well as the monitor regulation violator. Summons could be issued remotely from here. The visit ended with another round of hiccups from our delegation. Some irrelevant questions were asked :S

monitoring illegal parking violation and issuing summons

We got back to hotel at close to 4pm. The original plan to visit to Cheonggyecheon Stream was canceled due tot he heavy rain. Anyway we 3 LIMs managed to sneak out when the rain lessen and before dinner. We walked around Yoido and stopped by the Yeouido Park, a huge green park in business hub. We discovered many interesting signages and landmarks. We even got to try eomuk, 어묵 by a street vendor.

It was in heavy rain when we went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant, 'Spaghettia'. We were served with vegetarian linguine and seafood spagetthi. It was a quick arrangement by Kim to cater to our special needs. Thank him for such a quick respond!

We also got to meet a new Korean friend, Soomin during dinner. She was so nice to guide us to Myeongdong Market after dinner. So this was my first subway encounter in Seoul. We took the subway line 9 from the National Assembly and transited at Dongjak to Myeong-dong on line 4 subway. After the ride I could only conclude that Seoul was really huge. It took us close to 45minutes to get to our destination.

Anyway it was a worth while journey as I enjoyed shopping for facial product there. They were so cheap here, close to half the price they were sold in Malaysia and all the stalls were so generous in giving away freebies and samples. Luckily we only have limited time there if not I could finish all my money in a night :D

The journey back was interesting as well. Thanks to Soomin for those clear instructions and my excellent instinct *got used to traveling alone in foreign places :P, we didn't have any difficulty getting back to our hotel.

As a whole it was a short day but I enjoyed being in a foreign place and to explore the differences. Looking forward for more on the following days and hope that the rain would stop on the following days!

Not to forget to mention about great Korean hospitality. Kim equipped us an umbrella each after learning that we were not prepared for the weather.

For more photos,please refer to FB album

2nd July 2010: Approximately 25,000ft above sea level

Despite the sucks PDT, I believe this will be a truly enjoyable trip. The PDT started on the 30th in the Kompleks Rakan Muda Mont Kiara. With the lack of planning, we wasted most of our time there. We made full use of our time by doing last minute shopping and got our name card printed.

Our journey from the kompleks to KLIA was really terrible. The bus was in bad shape, moving at average of 10km/h, dragging the wheels all the way to Putrajaya where we were transferred into another bus. We were worried that we would not make it in time :S

Upon our arrival at airport, we headed to the check in counter and glad to leave our extra huge luggage behind. Never on any of my trip abroad, I have such a loaded bag. I would have packed differently if I were being informed about itinerary earlier.

Anyway, there's nothing to worry about the huge luggage as we were flying on business class. For me, it was superb to learn that I was entitled to the MH frequent flyer miles :-). As we are flying on business class, we got to use the golden club lounge. I tried to psycho the team into the terminal earlier so that we could enjoy and indulge there but some suggested that only light meals will be serve there hence we got to stay out till 9pm.

When we finally got into the Golden Lounge, many regretted for having their dinner out. PT and I enjoyed savoring those yummy delicacies and not to forget our refreshing shower after the sweaty and smelly bus ride.

We boarded our flight on time however there was a short delay due to other connecting flights delay. Anyway it was a pleasant flight on a super spacious and comfy seat. My seat could be lowered all the way and still would not caused any uneasiness to the person behind. After the satay at supper and a shot of Tia Maria, I just laid down and dozed off till the time for breakfast a little while ago.

What more can I expect on this trip? Looking forward to Korea. The next post I have will be written on the Korean soil.

감사합니다!

For more photos,please refer to FB album

True Meaning of Exchange Program

I was in Korea for Korea Malaysia Youth Exchange Program which was jointly organized by Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Korea. This was my 2nd exchange program abroad. My first was a 2 and half months in India under AIESEC, :-) another cool NGO run by youth and especially for youth development.

As I was not given any prior hiccups on the program itinerary in South Korea and with my tight and tiring schedule at work, I didn't have much time left to do any reading on South Korea culture. I went to South Korea with an open mind and without any expectation.

With this mindset and perhaps with my past experience being in exchange program as well as running the program itself, I could cope with the cultural difference very well. Through my experience, I found many have the wrong perception of cultural exchange program. In my opinion, cultural exchange program was not just a program where people go abroad and shout out loud about their country or parade with their flags.

For the visiting delegates, I personally felt that it was time where we learn by interacting and listening to people. Of course there were times when we should promote our culture to the hosting country but that didn't mean that all our conversations only revolved around my homeland. We didn't need to call for intensive Malay language class. In my case, I did talk a lot about non Malaysia related issues. This didn't mean that I don't love my country; instead it reflected the maturity level and intelligence of general Malaysians.

Secondly I found it very annoying when people were not sincere and honest in their speech and gesture. We all respect each other individually. The best way to make friends is to be honest to each other. There was no need to say you love the food or pretended that you enjoy the food when you didn't even eat them due to religious believe. I would prefer my guest telling me that they couldn't eat them and would prefer an instant noodle instead.

In an exchange program, host country plays an important role as well. It is really a difficult role to play especially dealing with a big group. On one hand, he needs to promote his culture to his guests and on the other hand, he needs to respect their needs and preferences. So it is best for the host to always communicate with his guests to know their cultural acceptance limit as well as their preferences.

As a whole, the Koreans have done a great job in sharing their culture with us while we fellow Malaysians have a lot to brush up on our hospitality way and we seriously need to raise our cultural acceptance level...maybe CCAP program Korea can be adapted here ;-)

Lastly I would like to thank my host especially Kim, Bryanna, Ms Yu and Park for being such a lovely and accommodating host. Not to forget my new found friends, the group of energetic youth delegates from Korea. I enjoyed my stay there very much thanks to you all!

To all my fellow countrymen heading abroad and to all our exchange program hosts to be, please prove to the world that Malaysians no longer live in our own caves. We are part of the global citizens.

Another trip came, another canceled

From the pretty empty weekend schedule in the last 2 years, my weekends now are demanding and tiring. With my master program on, I can not have much time for myself.

Sob, sob sob...

Then one plan came, another canceled.

Initially my travel plan for this year was

Family trip in Bali on 13 to 19 June 2010
VTSM gals in Hanoi on 16 to 24 October 2010

with 1 or 2 other short weekend getaways

Then suddenly came my business trip to Folsom from 15 to 30 May 2010. As I was just in the transition mode, trying to cope with new work allocation and study, I have to cancel my trip to Bali :-(

I can not make it to join my department in our quarterly teambuilding. It is so not cool to be able to plan and prepare but unable to join in the very activities. So no teambuilding for me on the 26 June 2010.

And now, I got selected to represent our country to Korea in the Malaysia - Korea International Exchange Program from 2 to 11 July 2010. I will have to skip 2 more weeks of class and a little more money to spend and less annual leave left. With this, I am uncertain if I can still make it for my Hanoi trip. However I will keep this option for now.

To summarize my annual travel calendar

• 15 - 30 May 2010 - Business trip at Folsom, California, USA
• 13 - 19 June 2010 - Family trip to Bali, Indonesia (PPKed)
• 26 June 2010 - Teambuilding at Cameron Highland (Withdraw)
• 2 - 11 July 2010 - Malaysia - Korea International Exchange Program in Seoul, Korea
• 16 - 24 October 2010 - VTSM gals to Hanoi, Vietnam (tentative)

Happy for some to happen :D and sad that some got canceled :S

Dissapointment from the Selection for KBS International Exchange Program

This article was written on 30 March 2010 but left unpublished till this moment I decided to spill it all out.

I was disappointed not that I did badly in the camp. I did well and was very outstanding despite me unwilling to fight for chances to outshine everyone there. I felt that everyone should be given equal chances and treated equally. We are all leaders, the cream of our respective organizations. None deserved to be abandoned at the floor. So I just went with the flow and be myself all the time.

I was sad to discover the true fate all fellow Malaysians. I have expected the selection camp to be very competitive but it turned up to be easy. Speaking in English in a bunch of non speaker, so called young leaders whom have dream of leading our country was the easiest I could get there.

I did not understand why majority of delegates there could not speak in English at all. Worse when I discovered that they have already went through one round of selection at their respective state. How can we send ambassador out to promote Malaysia when this person can't even speak any known language at the international arena more over a total foreign language?

Secondly I was disappointed to know that fellow Malaysian young leaders are shallow. In example, my group was given the topic Education to present on. The first idea that came to my fellow team mates' thought were we should present the good and the bad side of what education can bring to us. For good, just highlight his life during adulthood with good career while on the opposite side we will present how the teenage boy would end up being druggies or 'mat rempit'. Why druggies and 'mat rempit'? Was this all that we have? Was this idea appropriate when we are suppose to be Malaysian ambassador?

I respected them and listened to their ideas. Finally when my comment was needed, I managed to convince them on our role here in representing fellow Malaysian youths. I managed to remove the negative elements from our presentation and drive them to the right direction that was to promote Malaysia Education system internationally.

So we came out with brilliant ideas, making 3 scenes for our sketch. In scene 1, we wanted to highlight the education system we have now and our adaptation in making our education aligned with the IT and knowledge base era. One of the example quoted which was astonishing to me was the 'E-book' program launched at the Terengganu state. At first I was puzzled to learn about the program as my fellow team mates knew about the project at the surface only. They kept mentioning about e-book and quoting the physical appearance of the 'e-book', not knowing about what we called as Classmate PC or netbook in general.

Scene 2 discussion was the most hilarious one. We wanted to present what has education brought to us in terms of R&D achievement. So we brainstormed on the inventions by fellow Malaysians. Believe it or not, one can quote 'Microsoft buat Intel Core 2 Duo. Designer it orang Malaysia'. I almost laughed out loud listening to him. I would not blame him for not knowing who designed the processor but despise him for mentioning anything about Microsoft and Intel Core 2 Duo. Thank god, I was there to correct them on this!

Another invention quoted was a fellow Malaysian created a cure to stomach ulcer from mangosten extract. Someone asked what was stomach ulcer and the answer given was gastric...hahahahahaha. Forgive my shallowness. I just don't know the equation for stomach ulcer is gastric. btw I have not heard of any absolute cure to stomach ulcer nor gastric. I didn't say much about this as I wasn't in health care profession.

Scene 3 was about a foreigner

Youth without independent thinking...barely followers in nature. Just tried to outshine peers, but in real fact all are followers.

On the last day, we have our final challenge. It was a public speaking for merely 1 minute. I was nervous too but still manage to do it spontaneously. Earlier, I prepared a 5 minutes speech on the Government Transformation Program. I expected many to talk about 1 Malaysia but I doubt many knew the true concept of 1Malaysia what more about GTP. However I decided to change my topic to 'How to speak in public and how to overcome stage fright?' after listening to few others. They were trembling and shivering. Many could not speak fluently what more spontaneously. I wanted to help them and I mean it. I have no intention to be the best and fight for a place on the kapal belia. I just wished that these future Malaysia Ambassadors would not embarrass us during the exchange. However it was sad that I have been given too little time to share with them.