THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF KOREA :TRUTH, SERVICE AND LOVE

As I am about to leave the portals of my Alma Mater here in Korea, the Catholic University of Korea, I cannot help but reminisce all my sad and happy memories during my two year sojourn. As a graduate school student, I experience a lot of hardships that will arm me as I go out to the real world. I am forever indebted to CUK.

The University Flag and the Taegukgi (Korean Flag) during a procession at Myeongdong Cathedral

 The Cardinal Kim Sou Hwan International House and the Sacred Heart Convention Center

 The Global Lounge located at the First Floor of the International Hub

 Veritas Hall (Main Library)

 A Sacred Heart statue adorns the Smurf's Hill 

Smurf's Hill during Spring

  David and Solomon's Hall (Science Hall)

Michael Hall (Administration Building)

 The University was first named as Sacred Heart Women's College. It was in 1994, when they adopted the name, Catholic University of Korea

BRIEF HISTORY

The Catholic University of Korea is a prestigious Roman Catholic institution of higher education in South Korea. It operates campuses in the capital, Seoul, and in neighboring Bucheon City. The university operates a medical school, which is considered to be one of the top three medical schools in Korea along with Seoul National University and Yonsei University. The medical school has eight affiliated hospitals in major cities of the region.

The university traces its roots to St. Joseph's Seminary in Baeron, a Catholic refuge in modern-day Jecheon, North Chungcheong province. It was founded in 1855 before Christianity was legalized. After the legalization of Christianity, the school moved to Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in 1887, and was renamed Seminary of Sacred Heart of Jesus. A hospital associated with the seminary was opened in 1936. The seminary became Songsim College in 1947 (Songsim, or 聖心, means 'Sacred Heart' in Korean) and the medical school was established in 1954. The name was later changed to Catholic College. Songsim Women's College was founded in 1964; 

 the two colleges were merged in 1990 to form the present-day entity of Catholic University.

visit its official website:

http://www.catholic.ac.kr/

LOTTE WORLD: A WORLD OF MAGIC

LOTTE WORLD: A WORLD OF MAGIC

I want that Lotty toy!

 A replica of the Trevi Fountain at the entrance

 Welcome to Lotte World

WHAT TO SEE:


Located in the heart of the city, Lotte World is the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as a folk museum, a lake, and much more. About 6,000,000 visitors are welcomed every year, and about 10% of the visitors are foreigners. The structure inside makes use of the natural sunlight, and it is open for visitors all year round, regardless of the weather. 

 The skating rink

 I play this toy when I was in pre-school.

 A band performs their version of Livin' la vida Loca

 A man on stilts

 cute Lotty and Lorry dolls.

The Grand Carousel, Winter Sonata once shoot here.

Lotte World is divided into a '’Adventure’ theme once you are inside the building, and outside is a ‘Magic Island’ theme next to Seokchonhosu Lake. Lotte World Adventure has certain districts representing different countries with various kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy watching parades, numerous films, laser shows, and a variety of international cuisines even during the holidays. Magic Island is situated outdoors, where the dazzling Magic Castle is located as well as thrilling high-altitude rides that you can't experience elsewhere. Be sure to also check out the peaceful walking trail around the lake. 

One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte World is the amusement rides. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top pleasers– a steep drop with an altitude of 70 meters, or taste the thrilling sensation of being inside a tornado. You may need to take your shoes off before you get on since mostly likely they will come off during the ride. The Flume Ride is a long boat with a high-altitude wave, and the Spanish Pirate Ship swings at an electrifying 75 degrees. Besides the excitement of these rides, Lotte World also contains a variety of parades and laser shows. The 200 performers sing and dance to music in the World Carnival Parade, which adds excitement to the theme park. The parade takes place at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and the laser show is held in the late evening at 9:30 pm 

After enjoying the rides, don't miss skating on the ice rink as well as visiting the museum. The ice rink is situated indoors on the B3 floor, and is opened throughout the year. Its pleasant atmosphere is perfect for family and couples to enjoy. The hours are from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm, and runs even during the holidays. Its facilities include a restaurant, a ticket booth, a snack bar, a sports shop, a skate rental service, and a changing room. 

On the other hand, The Folk Museum is the most popular museum for foreign tourists. Folk cultural items are displayed and the items go back 5,000 years in Korean history as well as miniature villages, and a playground. The museum layout was arranged to attract the visitors' attention and the displays are easily understandable. In addition, audio-visual devices and miniature models will make it more enjoyable.

WELCOME TO THE FOLK MUSEUM!

Pre-historic Korea

 The Silla Dynasty

 A soothsayer

 An old man playing gayageum

The Gyeongbok Palace during the coronation of the King

REVIEW:


If you are on a tight schedule then Lotte World is for you but I will highly recommend Everland as the former really looks like more of a mall or a carnival. The theme park was jam packed with people that will make you feel uneasy. As a matter of fact, you need to queue for an hour and a half just to ride a 5 minute attraction. I really cannot put the blame on the management alone , given the fact that it was raining hard that day and all the people are inside the covered area. The place reminds me of Star City in the Philippines.


I hope the management can also maintain the cleanliness of the place and remove all sorts of vandalism left out by some visitors. In addition to that, it will be better to monitor the inflow and outflow of the guests so as not to the surpass carrying capacity of this attraction. 

 The most photographed part of this theme park: Lotty and Lorry's castle

 The Gyro drop

Operating Hours

Mon - Thu : 09:30 - 22:00 Fri - Sun : 9:30 - 23:00

Parking Facilities

Available (5,400 spaces) Fees Admission ticket holders - free for the first 3 hours and 1,000 won for each additional 10 minutes  Passport holders - free for the whole day

Admission Fees

* Day (09:30 ~ ) 1) Admission  Adults 26,000 won/ Youths 23,000 won/ Children 20,000 won 2) Passport  Adults 38,000 won/ Youths 33,000 won/ Children 29,000 won * Afternoon (16:00 ~ ) 1)Admission (16:00 ~ ) Adults 22,000 won/ Youths 19,000 won/ Children 16,000 won 2)Admission (19:00 ~ ) Adults 15,500 won/ Youths 13,500 won/ Children 11,500 won 3) Passport  Adults 31,000 won/ Youths 27,000 won/ Children 23,000 won  ※ Youths (age 13 - 18), Children (age 4 - 13) >> Click here for more details

Baby Stroller Rentals

Available (3,000 won)

Directions

Jamsil Station, Subway Line 2 & 8, Exit #4 (Direct access from station)

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Seoul Playground, Jamsil Sports Complex, Jamsil Seonchakjang, Olympic Park, Mongchon Clay Castle, Baekjegobun.

THE 4TH BATCH OF WORLD STUDENTS IN KOREA CLOSING CEREMONIES

THE 4TH BATCH OF WORLD STUDENTS IN KOREA CLOSING CEREMONIES

 This blog made it to the top:) Thank you to all those who follow this blog.

August 12, 2011 (Chungmuro) ----The closing ceremonies for the 4th Batch was held at the Korea House at Chungmuro, Seoul. Best bloggers were awarded digital cameras and a trip to a rural fishing village. Chairwoman Lee Bae Young gave her opening remarks as the 5th Batch of WSK writers excitedly awaits their confirmation.

Yelena Lim, one of the best blogger gave a presentation regarding the various activities for the last 8 months. After the program, a one hour Hanji (korean paper) art class was held at the Activity center in the said venue.

Here are some of the photos:

 The Korea House, a center of Korean Arts and Heritage at the center of Seoul

 With my friends Jaya from Indonesia and Veronica from Spain

  With Saimullah

 Mark from Manila

 Jaya from Jakarta

 Vanny from Phnom Penh

 I will miss you guys!

 Abby and Karina shows their cute mirrors made from Hanji