2012 Scholarship in Korea

Guideline for 2012 KGSP Graduate Application

"Korean Government invites 322 international students from 100 countries who wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in Korea. To apply for this program, you should contact one of the 1st Selection Institutions (90 Overseas Korean Embassies or 51 Domestic Universities) and submit the application no later than the mid-March. For more details, please refer to the attached." [sic]

Visit niied.go.kr -> click "Korean Government Scholarship Students" -> click "Notice" -> click "Guideline for 2012 KGSP Graduate Application" dated January 30, 2012, to download the pertinent documents for the application.

Good luck! ^^

Face and Fingerprint Scan for Foreigners

Fingerprints and facial recognition will now be required for all inbound foreign visitors to Korea starting January 2012. This process was first required in July for longer-term visitors.

Except for people exempt from mandatory submission of such information by law (e.g. foreign government officials, international organization representatives, etc.), any foreign visitor aged 17 or older will be obligated to go through a fingerprint and facial recognition registration process at immigration at all ports and airports across Korea.

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If only we could have something like this in the Philippines, not only for foreigners but more so for the citizens. Thing is, the public trust in the government is not far from rock-bottom and a national/foreign ID can easily be misconstrued as a political weapon against an opposition, individual or group. I'm thinking, however, if the process of safeguarding and recalling private information being assigned to a public-private entity would make any significant difference in terms of delimiting information access only on the basis of highly defined criteria and substantiated security concern.

Full-time Nanny

Happy new year everyone!
I'm posting this entry for anyone who is interested in nannying a one-year old baby boy in Bucheon City, South Korea (5-minute walk from Yeokgok Station). The baby's mom is a full-time professor and is in need of a stay-in nanny from 8am to 7pm. The mom was my professor and friend. She can speak excellent English and is a very generous and God-fearing woman. I expect no less from the nanny. She specifically wants a Filipino nanny as she trusts the nature and conscience of Filipinos.

If you are interested, or if you know anyone who might be willing to work in Bucheon, please contact me at (0 1 0 555 8 13 eighty six).