Hello gais, do you ever have any intention to go to a country other than your country? If you are a student, how do you think if you are given the opportunity to participate in student exchanges as well as on vacation? That's what I experienced. I am grateful to have the opportunity to study as well as vacation to our neighboring countries, so I was given the opportunity to join the exchange of students to the Philippines.
The day before departure, I was very panicky preparing for all I needs while in the Philippines, because this is the first time I will go abroad hehe. But on the day of departure, a sense of panic turns into an excited. Interested in the culture of the country that I will go to. On the day of departure, I boarded the plane from Adi Soemarmo Solo airport (SOC) to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). But before we transit in the Soekarno Hatta Airport (JKT). When I boarded from Soekarno Hatta to Manila, I had difficulty raising my bag because of the high cabins (I think). At the time behind me was an American citizen, the man immediately took hold of my bag and raise it to the cabin. And the man said "ohh dear you can ask the stewardess to help you, they have to help a child" and after I heard that I immediately startled and said to myself "what, I mistaken little girl". After that I answered "sorry sir I am a student of university, but thanks a lot for your help" with a big smile and a little embarrassed for being called a child. Then the man replied "ohh you are looks like children", and after that the man laughs and me too.
When arriving at Manila I was very happy because the airport was very clean. Although I have to walk away with heavy suitcases and bags because of the airport is huge, but I am happy to arrive in Manila safely. Since from Jakarta I have made an appointment to meet with my friend from Makassar because assigned at the same University in Philippines. And while at the Manila airport we are together looking for a pick up from the university that we will go. And after a long looking for them, we met a buddy who would pick up and drive us to the university. I do not forget to exchange money at the airport first and just for advice, if you want to change your money in another country you can bring dollar and than change with money from that country, it so as not to lose too much. Because of my own experience that I compare with my friend, it turns out I was more profitable.
Then I along with my five friends and two buddies from the destination university went to the University I was assigned to. During the trip I was very impressed with the urban planning of the Philippines because of the many flyovers. If you see the city of Manila is almost the same as the city of Jakarta, and both have a dense population because we can seen from street traffic. We departed from the airport around 6:00 pm Manila time, then we paused to eat about 1 hour then continue our journey towards university. We stopped at the mini market to buy a drink and a new simcard that can be used while in the Philippines. We arrived at Tarlac Agricultural University Hostel at 00.30 am Philippine time. I was assigned to Tarlac Agricultural University, one of the universities in Tarlac, Philippines. We are Indonesian citizens who are placed in Tarlac Agricultural University of nine people from various universities throughout Indonesia. 1 person from Lambung Mangkurat University, 2 people from Halu Oleo University, 1 person from Jambi University, 1 person from Sebelas Maret University, 1 from University of Muhammadiyah Prof Dr Hamka, 2 people from Universitas Negeri Padang, 1 person from Universitas Negeri Makasar. And we also have 2 friends from Thailand who come from Lampang Rajabhat University.
The people I live in are so friendly and kind, I feel like I'm in my own home. The people at Tarlac Agricultural University welcomed us so well that we felt very comfortable and felt nothing short of anything. The people there really appreciate me and my friends and are very warm like family.
So for you who will travel to the Philippines do not worried about the atmosphere and the people there because they are so friendly and warm. So my first impression when I arrived in the Philippines is the people are good and fun, like being in the home environment because it is not much different from Indonesia and has many similarities ranging from language, culture, and more.
Maybe that's what I can share from my first experience when arriving in the Philippines for following the SEAMEO program. Hopefully useful for you..
