#ipetokyoseoul

[umichenginabroad]

Week 4| Something Light: Savanna x Tokyo x Seoul

Guys you’ll never believe what happened this week… I got sickkk 😖. A study abroad student’s worst nightmare, am I right? Luckily, there are several easily accessible pharmacies scattered across Seoul with VERY symptom specific medications available for use! The pharmacists were extremely helpful, and I began feeling better before I knew it!

However, because of my illness, I did have to miss a day of school; and unfortunately for me school got REAL this week so I 100% have some locking in to do. I definitely took it easier this week overall as well, so I didn’t get many pictures. I fear there won’t be a “fits of the week” at the end of this post either 😬,  but I promise to make up for all of this later!! Essentially, I’m saying all this to say that I will be keeping this week’s post short and sweet! 😂

CAMPUS: I believe now would be a good time to discuss Sogang’s campus a bit. I will leave a map of campus, as well as a link to Sogang’s English virtual campus tour below. The campus is pretty small compared to Michigan’s campus. It is approximately a 20 minute commute from Local Stitch via public transportation, and is located not too far outside of Hongdae. You’ll likely only have to occupy one to two buildings for your classes depending on which courses you opt to take. (both of my classes were in the same building) There is a plaza near the campus dormitories where students can go to access different restaurants, Starbucks, the dining hall, and a convenience store to grab food and refreshments for lunch or before/after class. There are many off-campus restaurants within a walkable distance as well that students could go to instead. The campus also includes a gym (not a workout gym, it’s essentially just a big indoor basketball court), a soccer field, tennis courts, and an outdoor basketball court as well! Overall, the campus is very pretty and I admire the floral additions to certain parts of the campus. WARNING: Campus, as well as all of Seoul, is very hilly in some parts!! Be prepared to hit leg day everyday. 💀

Sogang University Campus Map

Sogang University Campus Tour!

As stated previously, I took it easy this week for the most part. However, on Monday I was able to make it to the buddy activity! We went to a gun shooting simulator and got to play games that were really fun! My partner and I even ended up winning one of the rounds. I truly love going out on these excursions and making deeper connections with the buddies and other students in my program!

Shooting Simulator Outing!

We also went on a field trip to Sokcho over the weekend! We went hiking, visited a Buddhist temple, went to the beach, and went to a market. My favorite part was definitely hiking. (besides the bugs lol) I just love being enveloped in nature and taking in the natural beauty this world has to offer! 

Buddhist Temple & Hiking!

Sokcho Beach!

Market! (Side tangent: don't you guys think the crabs deserve better living conditions for their last moments of life??? If they're going to die, I feel like they at LEAST deserve to spend their last hours/days living in a comfortable area. I'm not vegetarian or vegan but seeing these tanks overly filled with crabs genuinely made me so sad 😭. They just look so miserable. #SaveTheCrabs✊)

That’s all from me this week guys! I’ll do my best to come back with more pictures and fun things to share next week! As always, stay safe and be blessed. 🙏🤍

Savanna Evans

Robotics Engineering

IPE: Engineering in Tokyo x Seoul

[umichenginabroad]

Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul: Season 🇰🇷Episode 0

It’s hard to believe I’m already in my third week abroad, transitioning straight from my time in Japan to my first week in South Korea. Stepping onto the campus at Sogang University felt like a whole new start. The campus is vibrant and energetic, making for a great home base while I’m here. My classes are a cool mix of subjects ranging from Korean movie culture and Hallyu to a statistics course that's equivalent to EECS 301 back home at Umich.

(view of Sogang University's soccer court from above)

After settling into classes, I headed over to Hongdae where I am staying to check out the local scene. It’s the center of youth culture here, and the streets are filled with music, shopping, and street performers. I stopped to watch a talented young performer putting on an awesome show right on the main street, surrounded by huge crowds taking in the music and energy. Everytime I pass by and see performers I wonder if I will be one to capture the next big idol. 

(a young idol performing in the streets)

To get a better look at the scale of Seoul, I visited the observatory to see the entire skyline spread out in front of me. Seeing the city lights stretch on into the distance really put the size of the city into perspective and remains one of my favorite sights in Korea. 

(observatory in Seoul)

Later that evening, I took a bus tour along the bridge crossing the Han River right at sunset. The glow of the sun over the water and the silhouette of the city was easily one of the most calm and beautiful sights from the whole week.

(sunset on Han River)

One thing I heard Korea was known for was fried chicken, so knowing that we went out to Outdark which is a popular chicken restaurant in Hongdae. They served up massive platters of crispy chicken piled high with fries and potato wedges. Eating incredible comfort food with friends in a cozy spot made for the perfect dinner after a long day of exploring.

(one of the best fried chicken I've had)

I also made sure to catch a Korean baseball game at the dome, watching the Kiwoom Heroes take on the LG Twins. It was technically a home game for the Heroes, but looking around, almost the entire stadium was packed with Twins fans. Surrounded by a sea of rival fans, I couldn't help but laugh at the situation and ended up grabbing some Heroes merch for myself despite cheering for the Twins the whole time.

(my first baseball game ever)

Toward the end of the week, I took a trip out to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which was a much more reflective and grounded experience. Right before heading down into one of the historical tunnels running beneath the border, I snapped a quick photo of the memorial monument out front. Going inside the tunnel itself was intense and photos weren't allowed, but walking through it felt incredibly cramped, damp, and deeply underground. Getting the chance to see a recently used war tunnel really reminded me of the history between the Koreas during the Korean War. 

(monument by the DMZ)

My first week in Korea has already been packed with new routines, memorable sights, and plenty of laughs. Moving from Tokyo to Seoul has made this third week abroad feel like an exciting new chapter, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the semester brings.

[umichenginabroad]

Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul: Season 🇯🇵 Episode 2

(rooftop in Harajuku)

It’s honestly hard to believe my time in Japan has already come to an end. It feels like just yesterday I was stepping off the plane, trying to figure out the train system and wondering what these next few weeks would be like. Looking back now, I realized my last week wasn’t really about checking more places off my bucket list. Instead, it was about appreciating all the little things that had slowly become part of my daily routine.

Standing above Harajuku one last time, I found myself taking everything in a little differently. During my first week I was amazed by how massive Tokyo was, the crowds, the buildings, and the energy everywhere you looked. By my last week, though, it didn’t feel nearly as overwhelming. It actually started to feel familiar which is something I never expected after only a few weeks.

(J.F Oberlin University campus)

One of the biggest reasons for that was getting to study at J.F. Oberlin University. Even though I wasn’t taking engineering classes and instead took an anime elective, it gave me a chance to experience what student life in Japan is actually like. One thing I noticed almost immediately was how quiet everyone was during class. Students listened carefully and rarely interrupted the professor. Coming from the US where classes are usually a lot more interactive, it definitely took some getting used to. However after a while I started to appreciate how focused everyone was.

Outside of class, I found myself settling into a routine. Every morning before heading to campus, I’d stop by 7-Eleven to grab an onigiri for breakfast. I honestly didn’t expect a convenience store to become one of my favorite parts of living in Japan but here we are. The food was fresh, it was quick, and somehow those morning stops became something I looked forward to every day. It’s funny how the smallest routines end up becoming some of the things you miss the most.

One thing I did have to adjust to was how quiet people were in public. Whether I was riding the train or walking through Tokyo, everyone mostly kept to themselves. At first I thought it would make it hard to meet people. While people may seem reserved at first, the students I met at J.F. Oberlin University were incredibly welcoming. They were always willing to answer questions, talk about life in Japan, and make international students feel included. They completely changed my first impression and ended up being one of the best parts of my experience.

(yakitori over rice)

As my last day got closer, I started appreciating moments that probably wouldn’t have stood out during my first week. One of my final meals in Japan was this bowl of yakitori over rice. Nothing fancy, just really good food. Looking back, that pretty much sums up my experience here. Some of my favorite memories weren’t the huge tourist attractions but rather simple moments like grabbing breakfast before class, trying a new restaurant with friends, or wandering around a neighborhood with no real plan.

(Tokyo tower at night)

Of course I couldn’t leave without seeing Tokyo Tower one more time. Seeing it lit up at night reminded me of how excited I was when I first arrived in Japan. It’s one of those places everyone recognizes, but by the end of my trip it reminded me of all the memories I had made while I was here.

(building inside the imperial palace)

Another thing I’ll always remember is how Japan blends the old with the new. One minute you’re surrounded by skyscrapers, shopping districts, and train stations filled with thousands of people. The next you’re walking through peaceful gardens around the Imperial Palace, surrounded by buildings that have stood for generations. That contrast is something I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of and it’s one of the things that makes Japan feel so unique.

Looking back, I think the biggest thing Japan taught me is that the best parts of traveling aren’t always the ones you plan for. Before coming here, I thought I’d remember the famous landmarks, the food, and all the places I’d seen online. While those were definitely amazing, what I’ll actually miss the most are the routines I built and the people I met along the way. I’ll miss grabbing my morning onigiri, walking to class, and especially the students at J.F. Oberlin University who made me feel welcome from day one.

Japan has been an incredible way to start this study abroad experience, and it’s definitely a place I’ll want to come back to someday. However for now it’s time for the next chapter, Seoul South Korea! I’m excited to see what Korea has in store, but Japan will always be the place where this adventure really began.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 2 in JAPANNNNNN: Savanna x Tokyo x Seoul | Bye Bye Tokyo 😢

Guys I can’t believe my time in Japan is already coming to a close 🙁. It’s so crazy to think that two weeks have already gone by. I’ve made so many new memories with new friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life! But it’s ok… this is just the beginning. I still have a whole SIX WEEKS in South Korea to look forward to! And believe me when I say that I WILL make the most of every second I have there.

Week 2 in Japan was really bitter sweet. While working through final projects and squeezing in last minute travel and activities (which I will fill you guys in on later, don’t worry), I found myself often reflecting on all of the experiences I’d had already during my short time in Japan. One thing that couldn’t help but come to mind was how much money I spent that first week… yeah… it was reaaaaalllyyyyy bad (i’m so sorry mom and dad). I don’t know if you guys have ever seen those tik toks where they start off with like one million dollars and then end up in the negatives by the end of their Japan trip, but that was the life I was living. AND I AIN’T GOT ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO START WITH IN THE FIRST PLACE 😭. I was so confident going into this too thinking: “Pshhhh everything in Japan is cheaper than it is in America I’ll be fineeeee.” Whole time, it’s that “it’s cheaper here so it’s ok” mindset that got me in trouble 😔. Well, that plus the excitement of being in a new country for a limited amount of time… I guess I just found it difficult to spread out my expenses when there was so much to see, do, and buy 😅. BUT IT'S OK!! I MADE THE MISTAKE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO. Here are a few tips I picked up on to budget better and make my wallet hate me a little less during my time abroad! Feel free to use them on your trip as well~:

CONVENIENCE STORES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever it may be, you can find a solid meal for $5 or less at your local convenience store. In fact, most mornings I got breakfast from Lawsons or 7-eleven. You can save so much money by trading some of your restaurant meals for convenience store meals!

Categorize your spending: I have a set number of money I’m allowed to spend per week. Looking at one big number can be misleading on how much you actually have to spend on non-essential items like clothing, souvenirs, or excursions. Instead, it helps to divide that big number into smaller numbers, and assign each smaller number to a specific category to help set limits on your spending. For example, I could say: “Okay, I’m going to set aside $50 for transportation this week, $100 for meals, $70 for activity A, $75 for shopping…” etc. By doing this, you have a better idea of how much you can ACTUALLY spend on certain things, and not mistakenly think you have enough money to spend $300 on clothes and shoes in the first week haha… 😃

Actually check the price of transportation: Although transportation is fairly cheap, those expenses definitely add up. When selecting your route on google maps, don’t only consider which one is the quickest, but also which one is the cheapest! Ubers and taxis can be pretty expensive so try to avoid those as much as possible.

Don’t set yourself up for failure: Self control is actually kind of important guys lol. I know how hard it can be to walk by a store and see the most coolest, awesomest, most amazingly stunning pants you’ve ever seen in your life and KNOW you can’t go in or else you’re going to end up making the worst decision of YOUR LIFE. But sometimes you just gotta close your eyes, walk away, and cry about it later. If you see a store you’ll have no self control in whatsoever, and know your bank account can’t afford you losing all good sense, don’t do it. Your wallet will thank you later, trust.

BRING THAT PASSPORT EVERYWHERE: Tax free shopping is real and it’s basically everywhere however, you can’t take advantage of it if you don’t have your passport. I keep my passport on me wherever I go jusstttt in case I need it. But guys, please don’t lose your passport. That’d be like… really bad. Keep it in a passport cover or your purse or wallet. Somewhere you know it will be safe.

THRIFT!: Take advantage of the vast amount of thrift stores here. I guarantee you will find something you like for a price you’ll like even more.

Use Klook to book your activities and excursions: Not only is klook the easiest way to book any activities or excursions you may be interested in, it also helps to show you different price ranges for whatever it is that you may want to book. This will allow you to book with the company that provides you the best bang for your buck!!

I hope those tips can help you out a bit during your trip! Now on to my week. This week I..

Went to Kyoto and Osaka via Shinkansen (bullet train)!

In Kyoto I… - Visited Kinkaku-ji Temple - Hiked to the top of Fushimi Inari Shrine - Visited Toji Temple - Walked through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Hand crafted my own chopsticks! - Went to a local onsen (bath house): a unique experience for sure but I loved it SO MUCH. It was something so beautiful about comfortably existing in a setting like that. I made such cool friends there as well that helped me feel more comfortable throughout the entire experience. (Shout out to my girls from Denmark. It was their first time too!) The locals were super friendly and helpful as well. I recommend everyone to experience this at least once!

In Osaka I… - Took a detour to Nara Deer Park and fed the deer - Walked around Dotonbori: saw THE Peter Parker there btw - Visited Osaka Castle - Ate an amazing breakfast lol

Participated in sushi night!: This was my first time having sushi! Safe to say I am now a sushi fan 🙂‍↕️.

Got a Cherry Blossom Tattoo!!: It’s on my lower back and it turned out sooooo cute. I plan on getting another one in Seoul so stay tuned~ 

Tried Ichiran Ramen: The hype is valid. You gotta try it TRUST ME. 

Got an A on my final project presentation 😛: If you ever need to know about the “dere” character archetypes in anime: yandere, tsundere, dandere, and kuudere, I’m your gal. 

Got crepes with my buddy!

Went to the farewell dinner and prepared to leave for Seoul~

Fushimi Inari Shrine x Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: It should be noted that June-July is Japan's rainy season!! It's usually on and off showers but that day was a particularly rainy day.

Kinkaku-ji x Toji Temple x Fushimi Inari Shrine

Chopstick Making~ My instructor was so awesome and we're basically besties nowww!

Me and my new buddy Bambi!

Osaka Castle x Delicious Food x Dotonbori x THE Peter Parker

Sushi Night x Crepes x Tattoo Design x Ichiran x Farewell Party

Our banner we all got to sign!

I’m truly so grateful for all the people I’ve met and all the experiences I’ve had during my time in Japan. I’ll definitely be counting down the days until I can come back and do it all over again. (and more!) Now it’s Seoul's turn to show me what she got! Watch out, cuz here I come!! Oh! You didn’t think I forgot did you?? It’s time for the FITS OF THE WEEEEEEK. I’m not gonna lie though, I did a pretty poor job capturing my outfits this week… I’M SORRY I’M SORRY IMMA DO BETTER I PROMISE. Please enjoy what I have to offer 😞and I’ll see y’all next timeeee~ Stay safe and be blessed. 🙏🤍

FITS OF THE WEEEEEEK: Week 2

Savanna Evans

Robotics Engineering

IPE: Engineering in Tokyo x Seoul

[umichenginabroad]

Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul: Season 🇯🇵 Episode 1

Hey guys it has officially been a week that I have lived and taken in Japan. Coming to Japan, I had my expectations of what the country would be like from various online sources such as TikTok. Bright lights, beautiful shrines, anime everywhere, and beautiful plates of food. While most of that has been true in my time here, there have definitely been various surprises along the way that I did not expect.

Image of night time in Shibuya

Starting off with Tokyo everything felt fast, efficient, and alive. From Shibuya crossing to Memory Lane I always felt in awe with the busy city around me. However what struck me more interesting was how only a couple blocks away you could find a residential area where it seemed no one ever passed by. An example could be my hotel in Ekoda where it feels at some times I am in the suburbs despite still being within Tokyo.

Image of Memory Lane(various tiny bars with a very social atmosphere)

Despite the bustling city I found it a bit odd how the people themselves living in Tokyo were reserved. My comparison is likely exaggerated referencing them to New Yorkers but I still felt that people were overall more quiet just observing how they lived their daily lives and hangout.

Image of a Torii gate in Kyoto

Over the weekend I got the chance to go outside of Tokyo and explore the southern region of Japan mainly around Kyoto and Osaka. This part of the trip felt completely different from Tokyo. While Tokyo was endless lights and crowds Kyoto felt like going back into the past despite being only 3 hours away on bullet train. Walking through endless temples and shrines made life feel slower and more traditional. Exploring this city made me appreciate all the history of Japan and how much of it is still preserved despite their rapid modernization.

Image of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka

Osaka on the other hand felt like a blend between Tokyo and Kyoto. It had that exhilarating energy from Tokyo but a more social and slower way of life like Kyoto. The food was one of the biggest standouts as there were various food stalls ranging from a variety of sweet and savory foods. (Also they had Super Nintendo World so this might be my favorite city 😭)

Looking back on my first week in Japan, I think the biggest surprise was how balanced the country was. It had great city life and traditional suburbs and everything in between which allows there to be a place for everyone. Japan definitely extends past what is often seen online and there is culture and experiences that can only really be experienced firsthand by just allowing yourself to get lost. Overall Im excited to continue my experience here and what the next week will teach me. :)

[umichenginabroad]

Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul: Season 🇯🇵 Episode 0

Alright let's do this for the first time. My name is Edward Vazquez-Hernandez and I am a rising sophomore studying electrical engineering. Currently I am studying in Tokyo through the Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul summer study abroad program . In this program we are granted the opportunity to study abroad in not one but TWO countries.

As of writing this I am currently taking Cross-Cultural Studies (Japanese Anime and Popular Culture) at J. F. Oberlin University in Shinjuku(which as of writing this counts as a 300 level humanity requirement for engineers!). Speaking of Shinjuku it is definitely one of my favorite wards of Tokyo(top 3 ranking coming soon!) with vibrant city life and youth.

Study abroad has always been a dream of mine ever since high school when I was exploring options to go outside the United States. I had the general idea of going as far away as I can from home and now I'm 7000 miles from home (Go Knicks!) dealing with insane jet lag and cramps.

Aside from gaining course credit my goal for this study abroad experience is to immerse myself in this new world whether that means taking the extremely cramped Yamanote train during rainy rush hour, trying heart and liver skewer, or getting lost in Shibuya. As an engineer I believe it is important for us to spend time focusing on technical skills and problem solving but I also believe experiences like this one will help build something equally important. Perspective.

Throughout this blog journey I want to document not just the highlights of my time in Tokyo, Japan, and Korea but also the challenges, surprises, and lessons that come with living halfway across the world. I hope to capture the smaller moments often overlooked by content creators and in the end help inform my readers of what life is truly like in East Asia. By the end of this program, I want to come back not only as a smarter student, but also as a more independent and open minded person who will make better informed engineering decisions with people across the world in mind. With introductions out of the way I am excited to begin sharing my experiences in Japan!

[umichenginabroad]

Japan x Seoul Week 0: The Beginning

こんにちは (ko-nni-chi-wa)! 안녕하세요 (ann-yeong-ha-seyo)! Hello everybody! My name is Savanna Evans. I am a rising Junior studying robotics engineering at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. This week, I am beginning my study abroad program: IPE Engineering in Tokyo and Seoul!! (AHHHHHHHH I’M FINALLY HERE) I will be spending the next 8 weeks in Asia: two weeks in Tokyo, and 6 weeks in Seoul. In Japan, I will be taking a humanities course about Anime and Japanese Pop-culture, and in South Korea, I will be taking EECS 301 (Probabilistic Methods in Engineering) and an elective course on K-movies. Both of these locations have been at the top of my travel bucket list for YEARS; so I am so grateful to not only have found a program that involved traveling to both locations, but also being accepted to participate in the program as well. I am beyond excited to experience all that this next phase of my life has to offer, and promise not to take ANYTHING for granted. There are so many goals I have set for myself while I’m abroad. First and foremost, obviously, I need to pass all of my classes and receive all of my credit. As my mom always says: I’m here to work hard so I can play harder. Outside of excelling in my classes, I want to do as much exploration as possible. I don’t know when I’ll have the opportunity to come back, but trust I WILL be coming back, so I want to see and do as much as possible. I want to continue learning more about who I am and who I want to become as well, while growing my independence. This is my first time so far from home for an extended period of time without my family. The thought is honestly kind of scary, and I began feeling more and more anxious as the day of my departure came closer. However, I’ll never let that stop me. It’s time to put on my big girl pants and take on the world; standing on my own two feet. 

Althoughhhhhh… I will admit that my parents did walk me all the way to my gate and waited with me until I boarded the plane. And I may or may not have cried 3 or 4 times before and after boarding the plane… DON’T JUDGE ME. After weeks of preparation and prayer with my family, not to mention the COUNTLESS trials and errors while packing (I hate you scale), I finally made it. I hope you guys enjoy watching me take on this new journey!

My mom, my dad, and I waiting at the airport!

View from the skyyy~

First view of the city! (I do not remember where I was I'm sorry)

-Savanna Evans Robotics Engineering IPE: Engineering in Tokyo x Seoul