Buy Baggage and Meals Airasia :: South Korea Winter Escape Trip 6-15 January 2017

We absolutely need baggage, because it's a long journey. So, me and Vivi, decided to buy :

----- Baggage -----
JOG-KUL: 30kg for 2 person with price IDR 340.000 (each IDR 170.000)
KUL-ICN: 30kg for 2 person with price MYR 148/ IDR 446.250,86 (each MYR 74 = IDR 223.125,43)
ICN-KUL: 20kg / person with price MYR 102 / IDR 307.778
KUL-JOG: 20kg / person with price IDR 180.000

So baggage total price is IDR 880.903,43

---- Flight Meal -----
Actually, you can buy meal at the airport. But I'm sure, it's more expensive. So we decided to buy meal at flight. There's a meal combo promotion in Airasia.

We decided to buy for JOG-KUL and ICN-KUL because the flight right when dinner time.

JOG-KUL for IDR 33.900 (free mineral water 330ml)
ICN-KUL for MYR 15 / IDR 45.112 (free mineral water 330ml)

So meal total price is IDR 79.012


The journey with me, is semi backpacking type. I won't too counting about food, because I like to try new food. So, culinary (food, snack, cafe, drink) is okay for me. I won't too judge it by price.

Travelling is for fun, not to suffer. We are travelling to enjoy ourself and free ourself from work. So why suffering? If you need to spend some money to things that you like, then just spend it.
========================================
Flight Ticketing: IDR 2.768.454
Accomodation : IDR 1.871.895,5
Visa : IDR 750.000
Baggage: IDR 880.903,43
Flight Meal: IDR 79.012

----------------------------------------------
Total: IDR 6.350.264,93

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- 2nd Selections by NIIED

Today is the 2nd selections notice. And it come out in the evening (as usual).
It's a pity, I didn't passed the 2nd selections, because in the 2nd selections, you will compete with applicants from your country.

For university, only there's 10 people from Indonesia that will got the scholarship.  And I'm not in that 10 people.

Mmm.. It's a strict competition. Everything is beyond of luck. So, will I try again next year? :D

Credit: http://studyinkorea.go.kr/en/sub/gks/selectBoardArticle.do;jsessionid=26AE4D3274AFC41DF3EB989BAEAA91B0.node_20

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- I Passed 1st Nomanee for Sookmyung Women's University

Today is the 1st nomanee result. This evening, once I open the SMU Website, the notice is come out. And.... I passed 1st nomanee for Sookmyung Women's University.

OMG~ What should I feel? I'm happy, yet nervous, and confuse. This is beyond my expectation. But I stil have another things to passed. Next is NIIED 2nd result on 30th April.

Let the fate decide..

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- Interview from SMU for 1st nomanees

It's today, my interview.

I don't know where should I be to accept the calling. So I just let it be.

I got a call from Sookmyung Women's University but I didn't hear it because I'm still preparing to go to work. Then they call again at 07:21, they wants to remind me about interview which will took in 2 hours.

I go to office at 08:00, and waiting in there. But I feel that it's so noisy because my office is on renovating. So I decided at 08:45 go to KFC while eat breakfast, and also receive the phone call.

Then at 09:04, another call is coming. There's 2 professor that interview me. One of them ask me if I could speak Korean, and I said I can't. Then they said they will interview me using English.

They ask me to introduce myself first.

Then ask me,
- how did I know about sookmyung women's university?
- your precious major is different from HMBA, why I want to study HMBA?
- after finished, what will you do?
- what did I do as travel agent?

Mmm.. It's different from last year. And maybe the signal is not too good, when one of them ask me something, suddenly the phone call was drop off. But they call me again and said that's enough, and ask me if I had questions?

Mmm... I don't know, because it's just the 1st screening. I don't want to ask something before everything is decided. So I just said, that I don't have any questions right now.

Then they said goodbye and said, "hope to see you soon".

Really, this year it's really different interview. I could answer with smoothly, without nervous. I just learn that if you like what you do, then you won't be nervous. I just think the interview as a normal conversations. I didn't think anything about the scholarship. I just think that they ask, and I will answer.

Now I just wait for the notice.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- SMU Interview Schedule

Sookmyung Women's University interview for KGSP 2015 is out. Check their notice.

Link: http://e.sookmyung.ac.kr/notice/view.jsp?cmsCd=CM0341&ntNo=180&dvsn=&src=&srcTemp=&currtPg=1&fix=

I got interview on 3rd April at 11:00 Korean Time, which means 09:00 at Indonesian Time. Nervous? No.. I really feel relax this time, no under pressure, because I always remind myself that this is only trying. Everything happens for a reason.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- Email from SMU

After the phone call, then they send the email. It consists the same, notify me that they have received the documents, and ask me to check the notice at SMU website on 2nd April 2015, about interview time at 3rd April 2015.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- 1st Phone Call from SMU

In the morning, while I'm working, suddenly there's a phone call from Korea. It's from SMU. They tell me that they have already received my applications, and I have to check the SMU notice at website at 2nd April 2015 about the time of interview.

It's different from last year. Last year, they only send me email about document received. This year, they call every applicants, also to check applicants phone number.

The interview will be hold on 3rd April 2015, and they will announce the time at 2nd April 2015.

I have checked EMS tracking website, my documents arrive only 4 days works since I send the documents. Wow, it's so fast. This year, I didn't send any email to them. I thought that just let it be.

If I have a chance, then It will be my fate.

If not, then let it be, life must go on.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- Send the documents to Sookmyung Women's University

I decided, today is the right time to send my documents to Sookmyung Women's University at Korea by EMS. It cost IDR 189.200.

If you send the documents, my suggestions is, send it in a big brown envelope.

For KGSP, you need to send 1 original set of documents, and 3 copy set of documents. In here, original means not really original. But the documents, such as your transcript and degree certificate, must be notarized by university or notary or Korean Embassy.

KGSP documents

1. Application Form for applicants who apply via Designated University - this should be original. Type the applications form by computer, then print it and put your photo in there (1pcs of 3x4 this year -- I remember that it's different size last year, but I forget what size. Just make sure to read what they ask). I think, no need to give additional photos, because they only ask you 1pcs.
----- Copy this application form with photo 3 times, so the result there's a copy of your photo too (black and white).
----- If you apply for Embassy, there's Application Form for applicants who apply via Embassy (*don't make mistake)

2. Self Introductions - write your introductions in here, your course of life, your view of life, study background, work experience, your motivation, ect for only 1 page (don't write more than 1 page). The font size which provided from guidelines is so small, so if you can, adjust it until size 10 to make people comfortable to read it.
----- Copy 3 times (black and white)

3. Study Plan - write your plan of study, your goal of study and your future plan.
----- There's Research Proposal page, if you apply via embassy or designated university, you didn't need to fill it, only for reseach program.
----- Copy 3 times (black and white)

4. Letter of Recommendation - There's a template for the recommendation letter. Copy at your USB and give it to your profesor, and ask him/her to fill the template, print it, then sealed it in envelope with his signature in the back of the envelope. Then send it back to you.
----- You don't need to copy this letter, don't open it too. Let the embassy or university help you to copy it.

5. Pledge - Print and sign it.
----- After you sign it, copy 3 times (black and white).

6. Personal Medical Assestment - fill it.
----- Copy 3 times (black and white)

7. Diploma or Certificate of graduation from undergraduate institution 
8. Official Transcript from undergraduate institution
I have an english translations for my graduation certificate and transcript, so I just need to notarize it and copy 3 times. I'm using local notary, and I have to pay IDR 150.000 for 2 copy each documents (total 4).
----- If you have english version, then you just need to notarized it. You can notarized it in your university, or local notary, or Korean Embassy. Just choose which is convenient for you. You need to pay for this notarized things. After notarized, then you can copy 3 times (black and white), so you don't need to notarized 3 documents.
----- If you didn't have english version, then you have to use sworn translator to translate your documents into english, and notarized it at your university or Korean Embassy or local notary.

9. Certificate of TOEFL or IELTS score - This documents is optional. You can send it if you have, but if you didn't have then it doesn't matter. I have TOEFL score but not official, so I just send it without notarized. I also have HSK score, but I thought that didn't necessary so I didn't send my HSK score.
----- don't forget to copy 3 times

10. Copy of Passport

11. Copy of Parents Passport

12. Birth Certificate
I send copy of my passport and my parents passport without notarized. But I have birth certificate which already translate to english by sworn translator, and it's acceptable. Copy each of them 3 times (black and white)

----- Maybe it's different for some university, so you have to check it before you send the documents.

----- I'm using Mitra Penerjemah for translate my documents to English.

After all documens ready, put each set documents in chocolate envelopes which smaller than the big one (don't fold the documents, look for A4 / F4 envelope). I put every set of documents inside plastic, and chocolate envelopes so I have 4 small envelopes (don't fold, look for A4 envelope). Don't forget to name the envelope:
> Original Documents - KGSP 2015 - (Applicant's name) - (Country)
> Copy of Documents - KGSP 2015 - (Applicant's Name) - (Country)

Then I put them (all 4 envelopes) inside bigger envelopes. Then print the destination address and send it.

I'm using EMS from Indonesia, and there's no problem on sending process.

Now just wait until the documents arrive and the notice from the SMU.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- Recommendation Letter from my Profesor

Today, I got the recommendation letter for KGSP 2015 from my profesor. Thank you sir, for your letter. Time to send the documents.

This year, I just want to try, I didn't except too high, and I just curious. If it will be my way, then let it be.

2015 KGSP-Graduate -- Recommendation Letter

Today, I decided to contact my professor at University, and ask for Recommendation Letter. I can't go to the university, so I contact him using email.

Hope he is willingly fullfil the recommendaion template, and send it back to me.

2015 KGSP-Graduate - The Notice

Those who wants to apply for KGSP this year (2015), the notice is out. You can visit the website and read the guidelines.

Site: http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/sub/gks/selectBoardArticle.do;jsessionid=44F37E26D686BE121D6DBDDCAE592ABC.node_20

REMEMBER: Read it first, don't ask anything before you read it. If you really willing to apply for the scholarship, then I thought "read" is not a big deal. And try to understand the procedure is an easy things. Don't be lazy.

There's some method of applying, by Embassy and University.

For Embassy
For Indonesian, see the notice in embassy website (http://idn.mofa.go.kr/). There will be a notice about KGSP Graduate Program. Don't forget to see the deadline, because it's different with what is written in KGSP Guideline. This year, the deadline of KGSP through Korean Embassy in Indonesia is 6th March. For university, you can choose 3 of your choice (look the file ""03.2015 GKS Graduate courses University information(English).pdf [2441388 byte]"). Don't forget to call the embassy if you have any questions. But READ the guideline first before you call.

For University
See the university and major that you desired in the link above which wrote: "03.2015 GKS Graduate courses University information(English).pdf [2441388 byte]". Open the file and use "FIND" to searching for the university you desired or the major you wants. You can see the deadline of the application through every university information. DON'T FORGET, every university has different deadline.
Once you found the university and major you desired, then contact them via email to make sure the requirements and the deadline.

The deadline information in NIIED website is global, so to make it spesific, look the information in every university or embassy.

Good Luck~

Incheon International Airport > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 12 (1) - 2014 October 19 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

Wake up at 4 o'clock then ride taxi to bus station at 5 o'clock because the airport bus schedule is on 05.50. We decided to ride taxi because our luggage. And it only took 5 minutes. The bus has already in there and it cost W10.000/pax to Incheon International Airport.

The road take 1 hours. After we arrive in there, we proceed to tax refund counter. It's easy. Just go to the counter to check your shopping that wants to refund, don't forget, don't put your buying staff inside the luggage first. So after you got a stemple, then you proceed to the refund self-counter. Scan your passport, and your receipt, then the computer will tell you how much will you got.

If you didn't understand how to do this, ask the staff. They will help you.

Prepare much time before boarding.

After that, we put our buying things to our luggage, and proceed to check-in.

After that we go to subway station to refun our card which happened that we could refund at convenient store. And that's our mistake. The subway station is so far away from international departure and we waste time in there.

After that we eat breakfast on the 2nd floor of International Departure.

We passed Everysing SMent Shop.

Then there's a lot of restaurant and food court. We eat the food court. You can order on the cashier, then you will got a number. Just wait until they call your number and you can take your order.
This is also one of our mistake. It tooks time, and we didn't realize what time is it now. So we just eat and enjoy our waiting. We thought that it's still a long wait.

Then we proceed to imigrations, and take our money on refund counter. After that, we need to ride the monorail to our waiting room.

Out from monorail, when we ride the escalator, we heard a calling, Airasia to Kuala Lumpur. That's when we realize, it's only 5 minutes before departure time. OMG~~~ 5 minutes before departure time and not boarding time. I make a quick react to scream "It's us..." Then they ask us to run. Fortunately, we have prepared our boarding pass so we directly boarding.

We sit in the back, and so many people saw us haha.. It's embarrased.

Next time, If we wants to roaming around the airport, we have to come earlier. It's our mistake because we didn't predict the time too.
I never experienced this things, and this is my first time and hopefully my last time. I didn't want to risk to missed the flight.

Then we said goodbye to Korea. See you next time...

Dongdaemun > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 11 (5) - 2014 October 18 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

From Yongsan, we ride subway to Dongdaemun and walk around there. We also eat dinner in Doota.

Cheonggyecheon Stream also can be reached from Dongdaemun. It's more beautiful in night.

After that, we go back to hotel to rest and packing. Today is our last day in Seoul.

Yongsan E-Mart > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 11 (4) - 2014 October 18 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

On the way to Yongsan E-Mart, we passed Indonesian Embassy at Seoul.

E-Mart is the biggest and discount store in Korea. It's very famous. The E-Mart at Yongsan is the 70th E-Mart in Korea. Located on the first and second underground floors of I'Park Mall (A Giant Shopping Mall connected to Yongsan Station).

Credit: Visitkorea

It's nice in here. For a special product, you can try it first then decided to buy it or not. We bought so many snack. Famous snack recommended by my Korean Friend.

I don't know how to put it into my luggage haha...

NC Cube Canal Walk Shopping Street, Songdo > Incheon ~ South Korea > Day 11 (3) - 2014 October 18 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

After eat lunch, they take us to eat dessert in NC Cube Canal Walk Shopping Street. I saw this area once, on Running Man. So I know what is it.

You can shopping in here. And also a lot of restaurant and cafe in here. The shopping mall is unique, there's a canal in the middle of the building, with fountain and many decorations.

After walking around, it's already 3 o'clock in the afternoon. So we go back to Seoul. My friend's husband has something to do in Seoul, so they take us to Yongsan E-Market to shopping. While her husband go to Dongdaemun.

Songdo International Business District > Incheon ~ South Korea > Day 11 (2) - 2014 October 18 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

After put our luggage at the new hotel, then I'm going to visit my Korean's friend, Nana. We met when study Chinese at Beijing. She made Tteokbokki, from then, I like Tteokbokki.

Her house is located at Songdo International Business District. And it's far-far away from the city. We ride subway about 2 hours to Campus Town Subway Station.

Songdo International Business District (Songdo IBD) is a new smart city or "ubiquitous city" built from scratch on 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of reclaimed land along Incheon's waterfront, 65 kilometres (40 mi) southwest of Seoul, South Korea and connected to Incheon International Airport by a 12.3-kilometre (7.6 mi) reinforced concrete highway bridge, called Incheon Bridge. Along with Yeongjong and Cheongna, it is part of the Incheon Free Economic Zone.[2]

The Songdo International Business District will feature the Northeast Asia Trade Tower and the Incheon Tower. Schools, hospitals, apartments, office buildings and cultural amenities are to be built in the district. Replicas of architectural hallmarks, including New York City's Central Park and Venice's waterways, will also be incorporated. This 10-year development project is estimated to cost in excess of $40 billion, making it one of the most expensive development projects ever undertaken.

Credit: Wikipedia

The first impression for this city is, Wow... It would be nice to live here.

My friend pick us at the station, and then we ride car to her apartment. This time also, her husband cook Tteokbokki for us, and it's delicious. Too bad, I don't know why, but this time I travelling to South Korea, I didn't feel hungry at all. Even I still wants to eat, but I'm already full.

The apartment is nice and comfy. I would like to have one if I have a chance. haha...

Last Time at Phil House > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 11 (1) - 2014 October 18 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

We move to other hotel today. The hotel name is Blessing in Seoul. It's budget hotel and nice, but unfortunately, the location is a little far away from subway station. From Phil House, we ride taxi.

Let's see for the last time of Phil House 8 dorm room.

Then we move to Blessing In Seoul Hotel near Dongdaemun.

Blessing in Seoul
2-7 Cheongnyang-ni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea
+8270-4632-3290

The hotel is nice, it's a budget hotel. And the receptionist when we arrive is so kind. He really help us. We still can't check-in that time, so he said that he will help us to put our luggage on our room once the check-in time allowed.

Unfortunately, the hotel locations is far away from subway. Walk took 20 minutes to Hoegi Station, and this is the closest station to Kyunghee University and University of Seoul.

So there's so many students in there and also shopping street, restaurant and cafe.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain 반포대교 달빛무지개분수 > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (8) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

It's already evening, and I promise my friends to meet them at guesthouse at 17:00. So I decided to go back to the guesthouse. While on the way back, I drop by Wangsimi Subway Station, to go to E-Mart. I bought some snack, and also bread for my dinner.

Today is my friend's last day in Seoul, tomorrow they will go back to Indonesia. So tonight we plan to watch Rainbow Fountain at Banpo Bridge.

Only 4 of us go there, the others feel tired already.

After rest for a while, then we go there. We stop by Gangnam Subway station and walk along their underground mall first. It's cheap and many things sell in there. If you would like to shopping, this place is one of the suggestion.

The rainbow fountain show is 20:00 o'clock. At 19:30, we walk to Banpo Bridge directions. A lot of people go back after watched the 19:30 performance.

We passed by underground tunnel.

Banpodaegyo (Bridge) is a two-tiered bridge over the Hangang (River). Its lower level, called Jamsugyo (Submergence Bridge), is designed to be below water during the rainy season. In 2009, Seoul Metropolitan Government added the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain to the Banpodaegyo, creating the world's longest bridge fountain (as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records) with 380 water jets and a dazzling array of multi-colored lights.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is the world’s longest bridge fountain. The fountain is programmed to play different shows during the day and night. During the day, the fountain shows a hundred different configurations meant to evoke waving willow branches and willow leaves. When the sun goes down, 200 lights illuminate the fountain as it sends up dancing, rainbow-colored jets of water in the air in synchronization with music.

The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain's water jets are dynamic and can move in time to music creating spectacular ever-changing displays. Add to that the hundreds of rainbow-colored lighting combinations when night falls, and it is easy to see why Banpodaegyo is a magnet for tourists year-round.

The park also has outdoor stage, eco-observatory and picnic spots.

Credit: Visit Korea, Visit Seoul

My friends said, that if you visit on weekend, there are a stall that sell Seoul Fried Chicken, which very famous. Too bad, I visit when it's weekdays, so no one sell food in there.

The rainbow fountain is beautiful. I'm not regret come here during night, in the middle of autumn cold.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain Time:
> April-June, September- October (Duration: 20 min)
     Weekdays: 12:00, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00
     Weekends: 12:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00
> July-August (Duration: 20 min)
     Weekdays: 12:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00
     Weekends: 12:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30

City Light near Banpo Bridge

Then we go back to guesthouse for rest.. Tomorrow is my last day, and tomorrow I'm gonna meet my Korean friends.

Cheonggyecheon Stream 청계천 > Seoul ~ South Korea > Day 10 (7) - 2014 October 17 (Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul, Daegwallyeong, Nami Island, Mt Seorak, Kuala Lumpur)

From Yeouido, I decided to walk at Cheonggyecheon Stream. There's so many subway that could lead to the stream, so I choose Euljiro 3(san)-ga to Euljiro 4(sa)-ga.

Credit: Visit Korea

Until it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected waterway hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life.

Narae Bridge, representing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The Rhythmic Wall Stream, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.

It's unique. Pity I didn't have a change to explore more. Maybe next time. :)