January. My roller coaster journey started when I applied for the Junior Term Abroad Program. I was very eager to study abroad because I have been waiting for this opportunity since freshman year. Remember, I shifted majors (from MeCo to ComTech) just so I could join the JTA Program. My mom was first against the whole idea because it would cost a lot of money.
February. The list of the accepted applicants for the JTA Program came out and I was in the 64th spot. I then applied for the USD $2000 scholarship from the JGSOM and faced the Dean for an interview. Thankfully, I was one of the lucky few who was awarded the scholarship! That time, I was set on going to Sogang University in Korea.
March. New slots for universities were opened for the JTA participants and I saw a slot for Akita International University in Japan. I decided to ask the Office of International Program how much was the expected cost of living if I were to study in this university. Surprisingly, it was cheaper than the expected cost of living in Sogang University. So I immediately wrote a letter to the Dean that I wanted to change universities. Besides, it was still within the terms of the scholarship (must be a university in Asia). When the semester ended, my friends and I headed to Subic for some R&R.
April. Just when I thought everything was already okay, I got a call from the JGSOM office while I was vacationing with my blockmates in Tagaytay and Batangas. The Dean wanted to speak to me. When I got back to Manila, I faced the shock of my life. I was told that I could no longer get the scholarship. It turned out that the scholarship is only available to those who choose to go to any Asian country except Japan. How unfair is that! But I insisted in the most respectful manner that I have inquired about the cost of living and it is even cheaper than my previous choice. But the Dean still declined my plea. I was given an ultimatum--either I go to Macau or Hongkong or not join the JTA at all. I was ready to back out at that moment When I went back to the Dean's office to tell him about my decision, he just got off the phone. He then told me that he just spoke with the head of the OIP and he was reconsidering his earlier decision because the new school in Japan is indeed more affordable. What a relief!
May. This was very stressful month because of the tons of requirements from the different subjects I was taking: Operations Management, Introduction to Finance, Introduction to Marketing, Philosophy 101 and Introduction to Multimedia. I was beginning to doubt if the JTA Program was worth all the stress. But there was a silver lining this month. I got a surprise call from the Dean. He told me that he recommended me for the JASSO scholarship, which offered better benefits than the scholarship money from JGSOM. I was over the moon!
June. My friend, Mitch, started talking about the idea of getting an internship during our short break on July and August. I was very interested because I wanted to earn some extra money before leaving for my JTA. Inspite of all my sleepless nights and very ngarag schedule, I managed to squeeze some interviews after class hours together with my partner in crime, Irma.
July. The first JTA semester finally ended on the 13th. Goodbye stress! The Monday after that, I immediately started my internship in Korea Trade and Investment Promotions Agency. I loved the idea of dressing up and wearing heels everyday for work. I felt like a real grown up! Another thing I loved about the internship was that I got paid more than what I expected.
August. Irma, Den and I had a little R&R in my hometown, Cagayan de Oro. It was their first time to travel to Mindanao so I was very excited to show them around. We went rafting and explored Camiguin Island. After being an intern for six weeks, I finally bade my company goodbye and left Manila on the 23rd to start my Junior Term Abroad in Japan.
September. I have gotten used to my new lifestyle as an exchange student in Akita, Japan. The school load was nothing compared to my load in Ateneo so I was feeling very happy and lazy. I realized that the JTA was my reward for all the hardwork I have invested on my studies the past two years. Furthermore, JASSO, the organization that granted me a scholarship, did not disappoint me. They were very generous with the allowance they gave me.
October. The highlight for this month was our paid community service activities. You heard it right, it was PAID. At the end of the month, Jam and I went on a three-day trip to Tokyo. We visited the major sightseeing spots and also went to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea. This was also the month I was able to buy myself a brand new Sony Cybershot camera.
November. After the fun-filled Tokyo trip last month, I was determined to go down South. I was a bit disappointed that Jam could not join me. Thank goodness Laura, Kathryn and Emmy decided to come with me. We went to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
December. It was hard to say goodbye to the new friends we have made the past few months. Jam and I cried a lot when we left Akita. We knew that we ended our Junior Term Abroad successfully because we both got straight A's. Hooray! Before leaving Japan, Jam and I travelled together to Yokohama, Nikko and Tokyo.
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