Ni Made Erina Arya Puspita - Ciputra University(Indonesia)

“Hello, welcomee..”

The greetings are everywhere, with smile and laughter, these people greet me. I really thankful for 3 weeks amazing summer, that were really the experience of a lifetime. I made friendships and memories that’s unforgettable, found a comfortable place I could call home with amazing people around me. This program is really an open way to new great ventures, where you met people across your countries, blended with their cultures and differences with no judgement.

This program really helps me to improve, challenge myself into the next chapter. We are all different in every way, languages, traditions, countries, and even sleeping behaviour, yet it all makes it even more fun and better. We never met each other before, but we ended up being so close, some might forgot each others name, but it’s never separated us. We used to be strangers that always greet each other, but now have become brothers and sisters from other families. It’s always sounded difficult at first like worrying how to adapt to new environment, wondering how to survive, how to make friends and doing well in class, and turned out all reversed in the end, it was so easy. Helpful hands, smiley faces and laughter, cheesy jokes, the heat, the thrill of walking up to class, and even the convenience store to buy the additional happiness we call food.

It’s just not enough to say thank you for once, especially for the program arrangements, assistance, and hospitality. It really feels like home, no worries, no judgements, no doubts, just a bunch of people having fun and caring on each others, spreading happiness. I love the way our differences make us stronger and bring so much joy. I’m grateful for having a chance to know “us” instead of “you and me”.

Thank you, Asia Summer Program 2018.

“The problem isn’t when you are poor or sick, but the problem is when you have nobody to call as friend”

Noor A Alam - Daffodil International University(Bangladesh)

Coming to the ASP-2018 is one of the best experiences of our life. It is our honor to get the chance to participate this program.

When we first arrived at South Korea, we were curious and nervous but they welcomed us generously. At the opening ceremony, we got the chance to represent our university and country.

To the best of our knowledge, all the cultural events and activities were unique and we had a lot of fun in participating in the activities. In the activities, we get to see the culture of South Korea and visiting so many places are one of the best moments of our life.

We will go back at our country with lot of good memories and experiences we get from ASP. We are grateful to Dongseo University for arranging such kind of program.

At ASP, we get the chance to meet new people and our classes has given us this opportunity. We get the chance to learn new things and new cultures. All of the classes were unique and helpful and it is our luck to get such extraordinary teachers and classmates.

Park Yoon Young - Dongseo University(Korea)

I’m one of the students participating in ASP program. At first time I was very afraid how to get close to the other country students. Because they are using all different languages and I’ve never meet them.

Also it was awkward. But the day pasting by I found the differences. The differences were that the other country students usually come first and say “Hi” So I think that getting closer is not that difficult. In my case first I try to get closer with my roommates.

After that my roommate introduce the other friends which that came from same university. So I spent most of times with them. And then just I get closer natually.

Lastly I make lots of memories such as take pictures and share each country food. And the other way to get closer was the class activity. It means thanks to our class teacher. They give to students an assignment. It was a little hard to do assignment.

But if I think positively it was good chance to communicate with many countries. I know 3 weeks is too short however I had a great experience and also I proud of my self. I think that maybe it will helpful in my future.

LIN PEIXUAN - Guangdong University of Foreign Studies(China)

My asp in Dongseo Uni. was amazing . I got to know so many friends from other southeastern countries, and some of us became not just friend but good friends due to asp.

We have activities everyday after the classed and I still remembered the day after we had water-ball fight I talked so much with Ode and sofia (maybe until 7 o’clock)and then we are tired of standing so we go the dorm to play together.

Ode is from Indonesia and she suggested I should try the traditional clothes of her country. It’s so beautiful the clothes and we danced together wearing Indonesia traditional clothes. How amazing it was! She is so kind a girl and we discussed much about our different cultures.

Although I didn’t learned much knowledge during the summer classes which was a little bit disappointing, I have to say that during my class: the history and culture of central Europe, I absorbed some new ideas of the professor. Our professor is a nice guy ,he brought the chocolate and traditional candy from his country Hungary, and the taste is odd! Hhh we played Hungary instruments and learned the traditional folk songs of that country which is totally a new field for me.

I am really grateful for joining the asp and all of the stuffs are so patient but passioned to help us with kinds of trouble. Thank you so much , DSU. and 2018asp!

Eglė Našlėnaitė - Mykolas Romeris University(Lithuania)

Asia Summer Program is a great way to keep studying even during the summer. During the ASP we have a chance not only to get better in a professional sphere but also learn about other cultures, make new friends from all over the world, and explore a new city.

Asia Summer Program gave me the opportunity to visit South Korea, try local food, understand the Korean culture. I think that Dongseo University is a perfect location for ASP it has a huge campus surrounded by a beautiful nature. Busan is a very beautiful city with a lot of places to visit. Even from my room window, I have a beautiful view of mountains and city.

Even in those days when we didn’t have any plans, ASP offered to join the activities they had prepared for us. There were various kinds of the activities, so everyone had a chance to participate. Activities were fun, a lot of team games, so we had a chance to connect with even more people. Also, I really enjoyed Movie nights, I realized that Koreans create really good movies too.

Moreover, everyone seems to be very friendly. It’s so easy to start talking with others when you have so many cultural differences. Probably, the majority of conversations started with a question “where are you from?”.

I learned way more about climate and culture in other countries. Of course, I can learn that from books, but it’s totally different because you can ask questions right away and compare countries to your own. Also, I was able to share about my country too, I feel like now way more students know where Lithuania is.

Furthermore, because of the opportunity to choose from so many different courses, I can escape from my everyday courses. Even trying new studies, can help in finding new hobbies, or find the different view to your studies.

Also, it’s a good chance to practice the English language, as not being able to communicate with the lecturers and new friends in my own language gives a challenge. Also, because of different accents and pronunciations, I had more practice at listening to not native English language speakers.

All in all, I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate in ASP. I was able to learn not only the courses I had, but also about South Korea, and other countries too.

Rith Puthsahashvong - Norton University(Cambodia)

I’m so delighted to be going to Busan in Korea for life changing in summer, and I’m so excited that I have become one of the participant in this program, Asia Summer Program 2018. I couldn’t expect to get the first choice of both courses in the morning and afternoon for studying in Dongseo University as an exchange student from Norton University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It’s an open-eye experience, and the first time I travelled independently. From the beginning, ASP staffs were very warm welcoming with a huge smile to me when I arrived Gimhae International Airport, and the hospitality were very comfortable.

I have learned a lot about Busan, the second largest city in South Korea and the center for international conventions that hosting APEC in 2005, such as the lifestyle food culture people landscape and the development of Korea itself.

Then, ASP program 2018 provided the opportunity for me to make new friends from diversity background, to learn in cross-cultural environment with the professional professor in Asia and beyond, to foster my knowledge and understanding the people as well as the world trend and to be a role model for next generation.

While attending the classes at first, I felt like my understanding wasn’t good enough to catch up the lessons, but my professor was trying to teach and explain very clearly with the examples and activities until I understood.

However, I might lose some scores due to the lack of skill of editing the video since the homework is required to create the video. I have been trying my best to find someone to do me a favor and I also tried to learn how to edit the video myself, but it’s fine that I can know more concepts about creating the video which is the part of learning and shown my weakness as well.

Beside of studying, the activities after afternoon class in the evening led me to have more friends and learned how to work with the people as a team building.

I will never forget the moments that I have fun and challenge with those ASP friends. Moreover, I enjoyed the city tour and optional tour so much which I can explore more than I can possibly go through.

I liked the refreshment on the bus that the ASP stuffs provided. Also, the places where I had visited were spectacularly amazing and it attracted my feeling to living there.

Last but not least, for the talent show performance, it’s quite hard to form the team since everyone has their own obligation like nearly final exam, tiring from school work and some are irresponsibility. Although it’s complicate, there are some members in team will try to make it happen.

I thought of all the great times I had been a part of this program. The whole two weeks had been full of excitement because every day was a payoff of all of the work put into this experience.

I believed that everyone in this program would have a great memories and experiences.

Thanks ASP 2018k put into this experience.

I believed that everyone in this program would have a great memories and experiences.

Thanks ASP 2018!!

Tai Ngee Chia - Singapore University of Social Sciences(Singapore)

The Asia Summer Program (ASP) was amazing, and if I could have the chance to extend It beyond 3 weeks, I would. We are always busy and about, exploring Busan, talking with our new friends or simply learning or observing the nuances that occur when so many different people across the world meet.

Dongseo University has been very supportive and provided us with so much, from lodging to food. There was a city tour included which brought to us to many famous places in Busan, the places were beautiful, and everyone had a great time.

There were also many organised school activities by the staff, from challenges, sports to movie nights. These activities were just as fun as they were educational in teaching us about the games that Korean’s play, which were very different from Singapore.

They allowed everyone to bond closer to one another and meet new people. The staff made it amazing for everyone by keeping the atmosphere energetic and enthusiastic, which helped made it a truly enjoyable time. I liked that the ASP organisers didn’t make the activities compulsory as many of us often have different plans, exploring Busan, study or simply hanging out with our new friends.

Being in the ASP program was also a real eye-opener for me in terms of people. Despite being close neighbours, I realised that everyone has their own special way of doing things, speaking and lives. I’ve learnt about food in Lithuania, phrases in Korea and even tried unique snacks from China.

Truly, I had an amazing time, I’ve met so many friends from so many places and though we have different cultures, we get along well. After-all, everyone wants to make friends! Many of us are in contact with each other and have promised to visit each other in our native countries, creating not just a memory for today but for the future as well.

Classes during the ASP program were great in that our professors came from across Asia, as do our classmates. This gave us a chance to exchange ideas and way of thinking with each other in the classes, which has helped make it much more insightful and fun. The group projects also made classes more engaging and gave us a chance to get to know our classmates as friends.

In summary, the ASP was everything I had hoped the program would be and more. I have made many memories here and if I have but one complaint, it would be that three weeks is a little short to really explore Busan and connect with everyone.

CRIS ALLAN B. AGUSTIN - Tarlac State University(Philippines)

To be part of this year’s Asia Summer Program is really a wonderful experience! Let me start this essay by telling a brief story on how I was able to be part of this once in a lifetime experience.

Back in the Philippines, I am not just an ordinary student of my school, which is Tarlac State University. I also excel in extra-curricular activities like student-leadership that enabled me to be selected as one of the students who will be sent to Dongseo University.

We had undergone different stages to be selected. Luckily, I was one of the (7) seven students who got the chance to be sponsored by my University. My heart that moment was about to explode. It is because, one of my dream countries is South Korea. Then suddenly, I will be there for free.

I was so glad when I received already the program, it states that Asia Summer Program is a three-week summer program where students can earn up to four academic credits applicable at their home universities.

And not just that, the program also includes activities and tours providing insights into the host country’s culture as well as promoting cooperation and a sense of international community.

A lot of my “first times” happened in the best place, Dongseo University, Busan, South Korea. It was my first time riding in an airplane, sub-way and Korean Bus using Transportation Card, my first time meeting different nationalities in one class, my first time to try Korea’s best dishes, my first time to be away from my family for a long period of time, my first time to experience cultural diversity, and my first time to enjoy individual differences that created a relationship which will last forever.

Different groups of people all around the world may have different cultures. Through culture, people and groups define themselves, conform to society’s shared values, and contribute to society. Without culture, a nation will have no identity. Culture is a symbol of a nation. That is one of the attributes which I will keep on enhancing, preserving culture.

To be part of the success and victory of the Asia Summer Program 2018 will always be a great privilege for me. For this ASP will always remind me of no matter how far we are from each, no matter what nationalities we have, no matter what happen, the relationship we have built will always be in our hearts.

My deepest congratulations to the people who exerted their all-out efforts for this momentous event to happen. To all the participants of ASP 2018, kudos to all of us!

Sharifah Nazura Syed Sabeer Ali-University Malaysia Perlis(Malaysia)

“Life isn’t about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself,” – George Bernard Shaw.

Asia Summer Program 2018(ASP 2018) has definitely become a live changing experience for me and for all the students that were involved. It allowed me to experience many different cultures all around Asia.

It became a platform where I met new friends, learnt with amazing teachers, took exciting courses and most of all, I was able to build my confidence. Coming from different countries and living together, we have our own unique cultures and differences.

This made each of us special and enabled us to learn and respect other people. ASP 2018 is mainly about living in harmony, creating memories and most importantly making new friends from different parts of the world.

Moreover, The courses that the program had to offer gave a huge impact on me. Every teacher gave their full commitment to make sure that the students were able to gain knowledge and had an amazing time learning new things.

The hospitality, kindness and love that the teachers showed made the learning process even more exciting. The excitement that was potrayed in the classroom made me feel more cheerful and contented.

I would like to show my huge appreciation to the management of ASP2018 in Dongseo University for hosting the program, the university provided amazing facilities, and delicious food throughout the program.

The staffs and student staff were friendly, kind and were never hesitant to give guidance whenever there was a problem. Besides that, The schedule of the program was very well organised.

This could not be achieved without hard work and amazing team work. So, I would like to thank Dongseo University for making this program a reality.

I will definitely cherish the experience and memories that were made for the rest of my life.