Another grad school entry
I guess, I just can't be stopped with all the graduate school hype, eh? I sometimes really confuse myself. I love studying but I am a terrible procrastinator--which I hope I'll manage when I get myself into grad school. Well, I guess, I'd have to start with sleeping properly and getting a job. :P
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http://upeaceeng.hufs.ac.kr/
YES! Hanguk University (Korea) and University for Peace (Costa Rica), it is! I know, I've kinda declared I'd take Chinese Studies at UP but I think this one, I'm more interested to pursue. Besides, I believe that even after getting an MA degree I'd still want to take another one. LOL (But not a Ph.D, I guess that would be too much for me.)
After contemplating for some time on what I'd be more interested to study (with the intent of working at the UN as an end result), I'd narrowed my academic interests on Chinese Studies (because of the country becoming an economic and cultural power reasons aside from the fact that I fancy Chinese Mandarin) and International Law.
YES. I know, International freaking Law. Who knew I'd actually think of taking up anything with law in it when I refused to follow what my dad told me-- that I should just take up Pre-law or anything that will make me end up in Law school after undergraduate studies. Really who would have freaking known. A little over four years after that fateful conversation, I'd stumble into a course on Public International Law (ironically- my major is, IN FACT, a pre-law course. ha ha! I found that out when I was totally in love with the tortuous subjects back in Sophomore year.). Bought the most expensive book I ever had in my whole freaking life-thinking that I'd never find joy in it, read more than what I should for the subject and voila! Looks like I was shot by Cupido with this subject. I absolutely loved it. From the hard readings to the discussions (of which some I regretfully missed D:, gah can't just seem to forget it) and just about everything related to International Law. I really do not know why or how but I just did. Sure it made me sleepy while reading some materials but who cares? Everyone does. Besides it wasn't the only subject I had when I was taking it in college so take it that I was always tired (especially of that Iraq War thesis. Oh Lord. Worst. Experience. EVER.).
Well, I knew after a couple of 3-hr classes that I loved studying International Law and still never thought that I'd even think about taking it up in Grad School. Back then, I was given the assumption that I had to take four years of Law School here in the Philippines so I can take that 3-unit International Law subject and specialize on it through work experience. With that option, I was getting tired of just thinking about it. The horror stories of Law School here has taken a toll on me. I actually have a friend who took up law and told me what he read in his four years of undergrad in Economics was only one semester in law school. Okay, now, who won't be scared with that? Especially if you really didn't have the heart to take every law in the Philippine constitution. :S All I wanted was to study international law. Some people say it is harder than Law School itself but at least I wasn't scared at the initial thought of "international law". In fact, the thought of thesis in the curriculum did not actually terrify me, unlike the previous curricula of other MA courses I've looked through. I kind of just know and feel that even though it's hard and might make me cry or be suicidal about it, I'd still fairly enjoy it.
And it turns out my initial IL assumption was a myth. First, I found out that John Hopkins in DC had an MA course on International Law alone but it was too expensive-- $45K/year (MA IL in John Hopkins is for 2-3 years). Where on earth would I get that money?! Even if I'd work for 5 years here, I don't think I can save that much! Plus, the expensive US Visa expenses!! Even though we have relatives in the US, I can't just ask them to help us financially because times are hard. And our relatives are not really 1st degree. They're like 3rd degree and 2nd degree cousins of my dad so.. I'd really be embarrassed to ask them for financial help. More so, it's John Hopkins. For goodness sake. It's like the best International Studies school in the whole freaking world. I'd seriously throw a grand party if ever I get in that institution because it would be so hard for me to even be selected for application!
And then when I thought I was out of options on International Law, I found HUFS-UPEACE Special (Double) MA course! If ever, I get Master of Laws from HUFS and MA in IL and HR from UPeace. Though this program isn't exactly inexpensive, the tuition fees per year for both unis are cheaper than John Hopkins. Plus, according to the site, Hankuk uni is open to giving financial aid to students, same with UPeace so that gives me an impression I won't be completely in debt after I finish the degree.
When I stumbled on the HUFS-UPeace program, I was beyond ecstatic. It was like I felt that the heavens really loved me! haha And okay, Hankuk Uni = KOREA. It's a mere coincidence. Some people would actually claim that I dreamt of studying in Korea because it is the fateful land of my ideal husbands. But I think I've come past that. Korea isn't only the land of flower boys. Its universities are world class, less expensive than US/European schools, easier admissions (I'd like to believe) and closer to home (which means cheaper airfare). While the idea of 'fangirling' is still present in my agenda on why I want to stay in Korea, I think it's just about the same as "I'd want to go to Costa Rica and study there because I'd want a new and challenging environment". It's not entirely it, but it's inevitably part of what I want and aim for.
So now, I don't have a job. STILL. I'm enjoying the bum life, to be honest about it. I love how I go about my time and just teach my brother at the end of the day. :) But then, I need money. I'm a social being, yknow. I somehow felt like college deprived me of having fun and going out with friends. Now, I'm trying to get it back. Only have another big problem, tho: MONEY. Sad life sad life. I know I can't forever sit under my parents' wings but maybe just for a few months (Oh gawd, I just kinda hated myself for actually admitting that though it's really true). In relation to graduate school, a relevant job would be mandatory for this program, which means I can't apply right away even with the financial aid available. Sad. :( I've been actually looking for a relevant job since day one but I'm not lucky enough. I guess it's either I'm barking up the wrong tree or I have yet to be exposed to that opportunity. I'd really like to believe in the latter. :)
Okay so basically my entry about grad school ends here. The following parts would be about a lil bit more in depth feelings on why I'm attracted to the program. You may or may not read it, but if you're bored and want to know more about me... then just do it. :P
Okay, so why University for Peace (UPeace)? For one, it is in Costa Rica and Costa Rica is like the ideal country for every peace advocate. The President, Oscar Arias, demilitarized the country and in general the country has been very peaceful. I am a peace advocate (and studied it for two years- it's actually one of my minors, the other is Mandarin) and I wanted to actually see how the country is with my two eyes. While studying peace, there were times I've felt skeptical and cynical on the theories but then after reading about case studies and success stories on places like Costa Rica, I've been positive on the thought of Peace. Honestly, the topic of human rights isn't that grand to me. Found it a lil bit boring but I've managed to grasp it fairly well. I am actually leaning to Security issues and stuff like that but now that I think about it, International law is heavily related to HR. Fair enough, HR has parts which involves significant amount of Security Studies so I guess it would be a good trade off. Well, anything with relation to International Politics, I'm really up for it. :)
So with that, even with all my love for cussing, throwing stuff when I'm mad (I'm really working on it. :s ) and verbal harassment to some (............. also working on it), I genuinely LOVE studying about peace and I'm ALL for it. So imagine my thrill when I found the existence of this university from a schoolmate who applied for it (hopes that she gets in for next year! :D), I just felt like this is my dream university. I really just wanted to cry out of desperation and eagerness when I was reading the information from the site.
And Korea! How can I forget? I actually have a history of wanting to go to Korea and study because they have one of the best universities in International studies in Asia way back freshman year in college. During that time, even before I started my classes, my dad opened the idea of me going to Korea as an exchange student. Yes, he was the one who supported me all along through my battles in my academic career! haha. My dad was definitely sending me away overseas to study, travel and just see the world~ While my mom... ugh, let's just not talk about her. Anyways, unfortunately, I couldn't go to Korea as an exchange student because of thesis issues. But my dad still succeeded because I'd have gone to the US to travel, meet family and study a bit (and have fun at the same time) and he was the one who paid for like everything! And I'm so thankful for that! :) My mom actually told me she'd support me to study anywhere in the world as long as I'd finish everything here. I don't really know if that is still open though. Still, I'd like to believe the both of them would be open that I'd be gone for a longer time to study. I know it wouldn't be this year or the next but some time in the near future. Again, plans might change, be delayed or what- but as of now, either UP first or this one.
Oh, another thing that I love and hate about talking graduate school applications: uncertainty. The doubt (to myself) and the thrill and excitement thinking about, I've grown to be accustomed. But I'd talk about that some other time! It's almost 4AM and have to get up by 9am! :x Woops. Tata! <3