Migo and the MABex program (features)
Summer. The long, hot days of summer are finally coming to an end when thunderstorms roll across the sky near the start of school. The times when we sigh and wish we could trade this for a few more weeks of rest and relaxation. Admit it, you do this, right?
Sometimes we ask ourselves if we really have been productive during the last 2 months: “Have I actually been doing something to achieve my goals, to improve myself, or have I just wasted my time staring blankly at the computer, or at times mashing buttons, playing video games during sleepless nights?”
As for me though, I had a very productive, and rather, fun time this summer. You might ask me, “Why? What was so special about your summer?” Before I answer your question, let me ask you something.
Did you remember the time we had the PAASCU program? Remember when we were visited by students from South Korea to interact with us? Remember when we had foster families to take care of them while they stayed here, and they spent time with us during class? Well, it was decided that we return the favor.
During the summer, I took part in a life-changing program: The Miriam-Ateneo-Bulam Exchange Student Program, or the MABex Program. It’s a program where students from Ateneo and Miriam go to South Korea to interact, to bond, to experience Korean culture, and share Philippine culture with the Koreans.
During the PAASCU program last year, the Korean students from Bulam Elementary (a public school in South Korea) came here. This summer, though, it was our turn to go to Korea. 20 lucky students from Ateneo (Grade 6 - 2011-2012 batch) were chosen to go to Korea for this program (I was one of them), and 20 students from Miriam were chosen also. For our family, this was a dream come true because my parents wanted this for me. 
They wanted me to be open, explore, be adventurous, make new friends, and see the world. At first, I was hesitant. I wanted to shy away from something I was forced to take. I’m not the adventurous type, to be honest. This opportunity was something my parents wanted, and as much as I denied it, I needed this program to build character.
Besides, I had no choice. My parents’ decision was final; I couldn’t run away from it even if I wanted to.
The parents and teachers prepared all 40 of us for this trip. And as the days drew nearer and nearer, we were more oriented, more ready, and more excited.
Finally, the big day came. We bade goodbye to our families and drove to the airport. We flew to Korea, wondering what it would look like, what the weather would be, and how the people were.
We landed at Incheon Airport, South Korea. We walked around the huge airport with tons of shops. It was so cold! It was early spring, so it had a freezer-like temperature. You could even see your breath when you breathe outside! Our initial reaction to Korea was to be amazed at the unique environment.
We ate lunch, had a Filipino mass (Yep, you read right, a mass in Tagalog!) in a church where we were acknowledged by the priest and by the Filipinos around. We headed over to the school, Bulam Elementary to have an orientation by the English-speaking Koreans, and we were introduced to our first homestay families. We were paired up and sent to our Korean families after this.
The following days were amazing. We had tons of field trips in Korea, like when we went to the Hyundai factory, or when we made green tea, or when we slept in a hotel, or when we watched an interactive play about 2 rival chefs called “BIBAP”. We learned about the vast culture of Korea, and how much they valued and cherished it dearly.
We ate the food of Korea, like Kimchi, Bulgogi, Kimbap, and Bibimbap. Our Korean families were very hospitable, serving us with food, bringing us to places, and giving us treats. We went to famous places like Insadong, the Korean version of Divisoria, Lotte World, Korea’s amusement park where there were many rides, shops, and people. 
We also visited the Embassy of the Philippines. Since it was very rare to find a Filipino in Korea, we were overjoyed by the familiar Filipino feel, the faces, and especially the language. We had so much fun interacting with the Miriam students and our Korean friends and family.
And all the while, we would communicate with our family thru cellphones and often Facebook. We learned to respect other cultures, and most of all, to love our own culture even more. This trip, with its fun and happy experiences, taught us to be more open to other experiences, other cultures, other people. It taught us to love and respect our country and its culture. It taught us to explore, to be adventurous, to get out of your shell to meet other people.
This experience was truly a turning point in my life, and it serves as a landmark in my personal history. Before, I was a shy, mostly introvert person. Now I’m more open, more outgoing, more fun, and more experienced. I thank God for this wonderful program because it really helped me become better. It made me into more of a man-for-others, and it molded me into a more confident person.
This experience could change lives. It could change yours. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next exchange student bound for Korea, Japan, Europe, Thailand, etc. And when you do, you will be changed in ways people can’t imagine. When that happens, then this would serve as a good introduction, and I wish you God bless in advance.
Migo Pagdanganan,
Delegate of the MABex Program
