Become a researcher in Korea

A year ago, I was going to graduate from my graduate study in Seoul National University of Science and Technology (Seoultech). For several reasons, I wanted to stay longer in (South) Korea after graduated. The most important reason was because I wanted to get married soon, and my fiance (actually we weren’t engaged yet) was still studying in Korea too. My parents and I believed that long distance relationship after marriage was a very bad idea.

Looking for a job in Korea was not easy. My professor said so too. I tried to apply to many companies, most of them did not even reply anything. In the end, the one invited me to an interview was a start-up company located in Paju city, a small city near Seoul. The company mainly works in software area, while I was more a hardware fresh-graduate engineer. The interview was going well, as well as the programming test. They decided to hire me and would help me regarding the VISA issuance.

Birthday Present : Dobongsan Winter Hiking

I have always wanted to go hiking in all four seasons. I have gone in the spring, summer and autumn, not always the best time for each season though. Winter was the one remained. I planned last year to Hallasan, Jeju, but a plan was just a plan back then. I posted in my instagram a picture with caption “I have a wish to see snow covered #Seoraksan #설악산 before turning 25.” Why before 25? Because this year probably my last year in Korea, and i doubted any snow after my birthday.

The Devil

“I would like to know myself who killed her” said Huish. “From all i can make out, she was a fine type of woman. She has done a lot for people. For unlucky children, for all sort of charities. She’s the sort of person that oughtn’t to have been killed. Yes. I’d like to know. Even if we can never get enough evidence to satisty the D.P.P. I’d still like to know.”

…

Autumn Seoul

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Albert Camus

For me, the best place to enjoy autumn scenery is the mountain. There are many mountains in Korea, even in Seoul. The best ones they considered them as National Park. They offer some kind of magnificent view that i can only find there. I went to a Dobongsan, Bukhansan, Gwanaksan and Naejangsan this autumn, but not every time i can find the view i expected.

Naejangsan

After day after day checking instagram hashtag #내장산 or #naejangsan hoping it wouldn’t be too late, the day had finally come, 2014-11-08.  I woke up early, at 3.00 am, prepared everything, and searched for some important information. While doing so, I already pictured myself in a smooth journey. 3 hours bus ride, some hours hike while enjoying the great autumn scene end and 3 hours bus ride back. Everything’s smooth. I was wrong.

Seoraksan

24 kilometers in 18 hours walking. Started at 2:00 AM finished at 8:00 PM. 4 men looking for one of the most beautiful autumn leaves scenery in Korea. Splendid view. Awesome journey.

That’s what’s written in my friend’s Seoraksan Facebook album. For all the intention to celebrate my first year “hiking debut”, (it’s been late) the story goes like this.

Gwanaksan

Although i never planed it, i suddenly wanted to go to Gwanaksan on friday. I couldn’t get rid that temptation. To be honest every time i check instagram, i want to go everywhere i find it beatiful to see autumn foliage. I asked in some remarkable post, 어디에요? 언제 찍으셨어요? Where is is it? When did you take the picture?).

Bukhansan

This was not my first hiking, nor the first time i went alone. But in previous occasions i just went via easiest starting point i could get, took any random route to the top, or just followed my friends. For once i wanted to plan it, after the last time to Dobongsan. The only one thing that came up when i was planning it was that i need to take much longer route when going up than when going down. I circled some important point on the map. It became like this.

My Debut In Korea

There’s always a first time for everything, they say. Yes it did happen to me as well. In some point during my time here one year one month and 5 days since my arrival, i did some things for the first time in my 24 years-or so- life.

1. Hiking.

one of the things i like the most during hiking is that bromance thing

I am not really sure whether i am using correct word or not. What i mean is walking along mountain trail to get to the top. My hiking debut happened to be in Seoraksan, somewhere in northeast part of Korea. It is not the highest, but considered as the hardest and the most beautiful trail in Korea. Especially during autumn.

2. Ice skating

It always break my heart to see 4-5 years old kids play better than me (not shown)

It is not like i cannot play ice skating in Indonesia. There are some places where i can play. The thing is the price was usually a bit expensive for my wallet. Here, there are some cheap open to sky ice ring during winter. I can just pay 1000 KRW for 1 hour. Cheap.

3. Ski

This is one of those things i can only do in Korea or other 4 seasons country. Thanks to the professors in our join labs, who annually said “let’s go to ski resort” , i didn’t miss this rare opportunity. They pay for everything, so we only need prepare our self. In my mind, skiing is a bit easier than ice skating. All you need is enough courage to glide in high speed.Everything is set then.

If you brave enough, you can even alter your focus

4. Roller Coaster

Even though i went to amusement park once in Malaysia,i have never tried to ride roller coaster. In Chuseok holiday, this year come in early September, i came to everland resort, There are some “scary” rides, but the most famous one is T-Express. A wooden roller coaster. Why wood i thought. So many people have same interest, i have to wait for more than 1 hour. Totally worth it. With 50m vertical free fall, more than 100 km/h top speed you can scream to your heart content.

Manseeeee