Day 6 & 7 !!
written on April 16, 2017
DAY 6
Hi, so it’s the last few days of our korea trip and it’s kinda funny how everyone was a bit sian on the first day, and thinking of when we can do more stuff or if the trip would be as we expected it to be.
But I can say, for sure, that we definitely had a really good time and experience in Korea!!! Even though for a majority of us, muslims, didn’t get to savour the full Koreans flavour, we got to indulge ourselves in such a history rich and smart country. Which brings us to what we did on Day 6!!!
On day the 6th Day, we started our journey really early, as it was a 2 hour drive up to Sejong City. Sejong City is the de facto administrative capital city for South Korea, furthermore, it is also a ‘Special Self-Governing City’. The city has cleverly integrated smart technologies to help improve the efficiency of which the produce is produced and marketed. These smart technologies are specially and proudly sponsored by SK Telecom, which is one of the largest wireless telecommunications operator.
One representative from SK Telecom explained to us in great detail the type of technologies and their functionalities that were installed in the Sejong Creative Village and Smart Farms. We thought it was really interesting at how these advancements were more targetted at the younger generation rather than the older ones, for the reason that there are more individuals being interested in Agriculture Studies.
During the tour, he showed us, how you could control the greenhouse virtually just with a tap on the screen, opening and closing the top row of windows, or even turning on the sprinklers when the crops get a lil thirsty. On top of that in the town itself, where the farmers commute to sell their produce, there is a risk of competitors from big corporations reselling it at higher prices aka stealing their fruits of labour and making a GIANT profit. So, SK Telecoms decided to install CCTVs on the various telephone poles to monitor and ensure that none of these stealing happens.
Who knew the solution was so simple??
After seeing models and mock-ups of the Smart Farm and Creative Villages, it was time to have a look at the real ones!!
In this greenhouse, they were growing cherry tomatoes, it was quite a pity that when we were there, these weren't ripe but we still tried one or two and it was so so sweet and crunchy
AFTER VISITING THE FARM WE WENT BACK FOR SHOPPING IN MYEONG DONG!!!!!!!! TIME TO SPEND MORE MONEYYYYYYY
DAY 7 LAST DAY :(
7 April. It's our last day in Korea and the weather is warmer today, so so so much warmer that all of us are stripping our layers. On the last day, before catching our flight which was at 1930 we still had some visiting to do. We back to Gangnam, Samsung D'Light shop. What's a Korea study trip when you don't go and visit one of the biggest Korean Electronics Company??
Whilst we were there, we saw right outside of the Samsung building were posters, from anti-supporters. It was interesting, because, in Singapore, you only hear of our unhappiness or read about it on social media sites, whereas these are actual boards and figurines etc made by the people and placed outside of the building.
After touring the outside of the building it was time to go inside!!!
We started our tour on the second floor. This section was called 'Connect Tomorrow'.
Basically in this level, it showed the semiconductors that are used in Samsung Electronics and how they will change in the future. This whole floor is an interactive and super high tech one. They show various scenarios where, a drone can help deliver a gift which you bought while on the way to an event just 10 mins before, to a bathroom mirror being able to tell you what is causing your complexion to be this way and what are the dermatologically tested and trusted products to use to help improve it.
Back at level one, aka the 'Start of the Samsung Experience', the guide was telling us that special semi-conductors were added in the visitor wrist tags to ensure that throughout their exploring the Samsung shop, they would get information and instructions in a language that they understood.
On top of that, you had to create a profile, where as you go along the shop and do the various activites, will tell you what kind of person you are.
It was more of like a fun and clever way to help discover more about yourself and the technologically advancements that they are using. At the end of the tour, she gave us 30 mins to go and have a try at the Rollercoaster VR!!!!!! Man, it was so life-like and entertaining!! It was truly such a fun experience at Samsung.
After the Samsung Experience, we went to visit YEONSEI UNIVERSITY!!!!!!
While in Yeonsei, we got to know a little bit about how the school started and a feel of the campus dyanmic culture. It had so many foreign students and it was so westernised. It was like we went to visit a US Uni rather than a Korean one. Just like in Pusan National University, they too had a place to showcase the Korean history.
This is the original building that was preserved.
It was nice to see that the Koreans value their history and origins so much that they would do anything to ensure that it is preserved and can stand the test of time. It is really the true embracing of "Never forget your roots".
Once the tour was over, it was time to head on down to the airport to check in and leave for Singapore:((
BYEBYE KOREA YOU WILL BE MISSED
