First Encounter

Awarding Ceremony

The day after I arrived in Korea, I had to attend a welcome ceremony for new scholars under the Korea Green Promotion Agency (KGPA) Scholarship Program in Daejon City.  The program included an orientation on what KGPA is and its scholarship program.  The scholars came from various countries. There were three in our batch, an Ethiopian, a Chinese, and me. During the program we presented our plan of study. I guess mine was the least detailed one, mostly because forestry is a new field for me. I've studied horticulture for my BS and MS so even if it is somewhat related, forestry or more specifically the application of GIS/RS in forestry is something I still have to learn.

KGPA Scholars at the Korea Forest Service

We visited the Korea Forest Service after lunch. We looked at an exhibit showing the status of forests and forestry in Korea. One of the things I've noticed while travelling from Incheon to Sangju the previous day are the mountains which are all covered with trees. It was so hard to believe that the same mountains were actually devoid of forests in the 1950s.  Photographs showing how the Korean Government was able to reforest their mountains gives hope to someone who comes from a country or a hometown where landslides has become a common sight because of deforestation.

KGPA Scholars and staff at the hanok village in Jeonju City

In the afternoon we traveled to the hanok village in Jeonju City. It was such a great experience because we got to stay in a traditional house, try doing one traditional art (paper fan making), and eat traditional food. It was as if I'm in a Korean Telenovela.

It was so great meeting the other scholars and the KGPA staff, especially Ms. Ri Yoo who has helped me a lot when I was still preparing to come to Korea.

An amazing experience! And to think it was just my 2nd day in Korea.