Students' Travel to Korea Journal: Pre- Departure

Pre Departure Thoughts

February 12, 2011

I felt excited to go to Korea as a SDEAS student representative and to have an opportunity to share our culture to the Korean Deaf student. We had a send off mass, then we had dinner together at the CDEAF office. At 9:00 pm we took pictures before leaving for NAIA. This is a very new experience for me, to fly to Korea nd very first to go out of this country.

~ Patrick Silver Padao

I felt calm because I wet to church to God’s help that I am going to Korea with three Deaf students, one Deaf faculty and two hearing faculty. I am really happy that my mother prayed for us.

I was frustrated that I didn't know the two persons who worked in NAIA were helping us to carry our bags to the airport. I was just excited to take a picture of us and then bought some food for those who were starving.
~ Dan Lester Perez

We will be safe if we listen to the faculty who will care for us while in South Korea. We value the cooperatiion of our family and friends.

~ Maria Elena Lozada

**Last February 9 to 12, 2009, DLS-CSB SDEAS hosted the visit of Deaf students and instructors of the This was the first cultural exchange project between DLS-CSB SDEAS and IVCDC, both of which are partners of the Postsecondary Education Network International (PEN-Int’l). Last February 13 to 18, 2011, four (4) Deaf students and three (3) faculty of DLS-CSB SDEAS were invited to a cultural exchange project with Ilsan Vocational Competency Development Center (IVCDC). IVCDC is under the Korea Employment Promotion Agency for the Disabled (KEPAD) a private organization that offers help to the welfare of PWD’s in South Korea.

This project is supported by the Nippon Foundation through PEN-International. The purpose of this year’s cultural exchange is to provide an opportunity for the students and faculty to deepen their knowledge of other cultures that will help them develop their potentials, understanding and will contribute to improving their lives for the future.

The main participants of this project are four (4) Deaf students, one (1) Deaf faculty and two (2) hearing faculty. The group delegates were chosen based on their capabilities, more so with their positive disposition that will hopefully contribute to a meaningful exchange considering their ability to impart their acquired knowledge to the Deaf Community after the cultural exchange.

The cultural exchange aims to create an opportunity for the both Deaf students and faculty to engage and explore with different cultures in order for them to be able to strengthen their national identity and gain confidence that would help them develop their potentials in improving their lives for the future. The project will hopefully build the partnership with IVCDC for prospective collaboration.