My 3-week experience as Student and Tourist in Manila.
In 2022, I had just finished my marketing program at college. I was all set to graduate, but then a fantastic opportunity came up that made me decide to extend my studies for one more semester. I received an email from the study abroad department at my college announcing new study abroad courses. At first, I wasn't sure if I should apply since I was already on track to graduate and didn't need any more credits. But, I figured I had nothing to lose, so I signed up for the virtual meeting they were hosting to learn more about the courses.
After attending the virtual meeting, I was blown away by all the information they shared. The study abroad program involved studying for 4 weeks in Vancouver and then 3 weeks at a university in the Philippines. To participate, I had to take two of the three courses they were offering. After much thinking, I decided to extend my studies for one more semester so I could experience Asia for the first time.
My adventure to Asia began after four weeks of classes in Vancouver. It was my first time traveling to Asia, and I was a bit nervous about what to expect. The flight from Vancouver to Manila was 14 hours long, but it didn't feel that bad since I was able to sleep for most of it. The seats on the Philippines Airlines flight were comfortable, and I had no complaints. Landing in Manila, I was greeted by hot and humid weather, despite it being February. However, the heat wasn't too bad in the following days.
When we finally made it to the hotel One Pacific Place Serviced Residences in Makati city, our rooms weren't ready yet. So, we had to chill in a conference room while a university rep came to chat with us about what to expect. The hotel we stayed at was amazing - clean, spacious rooms, a pool, gym, and a killer balcony view of Manila. The included breakfast buffet was amazing too. Filipino cuisine was a hit the whole trip. Seriously, trying all their dishes was incredible. I couldn't get enough of the banana cue, ube ice cream and mangoes - they were out of this world. Those mangoes and smoothies were the sweetest and most delicious I've ever had. Man, I miss them already.
We arrived on a Sunday, so classes started the next day. I took two courses: Human Resources and International Business Management. Classes were from Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, but we usually got out earlier. We attended Far Eastern University in Makati where were warmly welcomed by the students. They were so excited to have international students for the first time. The Filipinos I met were incredibly welcoming and friendly - I really loved the people there. We got a tour of the university and even visited the main campus in Manila, which was much bigger. The facilities were different from what I was used to, but it was a unique experience that I'll never forget.
During the class week, I'd have a delicious breakfast buffet, walk to the university with my classmates (it was only a 15-minute walk), head back to the hotel, explore the shops and restaurants nearby, have lunch at different places, study for midterms, and then return to the hotel. We mostly walked everywhere since everything was close by, but one time I took an taxi with a classmate to go to some malls further away. Transportation is very cheap. they usually charge $6 for a 30 minutes ride.
During the weekdays, I had the opportunity to try the famous fried chicken at Jollibee in the Philippines. Their pasta was the most delicious I've ever had. We also enjoyed participating in various activities on the Manila and Makati campus, such as workshops, student events, guest speakers, and meetings and interviews with professionals in business and human resources. One highlight was trying Kamayan, a traditional meal where everyone eats together using their hands on banana leaves. So delicious!!
Places I visited
On Fridays to Sundays, we explored the Philippines as tourists. Our first stop was Villa Escudero, a coconut plantation with a museum, bamboo rafting, water buffalo cart rides, live performances, a village tour, pool, souvenir shop, and a restaurant under a waterfall. The food was amazing, especially the experience of dining under a waterfall with your feet in the water. It was a unique and unforgettable experience that I absolutely loved.
For our first weekend, we went to Puerto Galera, known for its crystal-clear beaches. We hopped on a boat to get there and checked into the BADLADZ Staycation Condos. The hotel was fantastic - clean rooms, a serene beach, delicious food, well-maintained facilities, and even hammocks in front of the beach. It was the perfect place to relax. We spent the entire weekend relaxing and swimming in this beautiful beach. On Sunday, before heading back to Makati, we made a small stop in Tagaytay for lunch and enjoyed the breathtaking point view of mountains and the ocean.
During our stay, we also explored a few malls. My favorite was Ayala Mall, it has a beautiful outdoor market and a Tim Hortons branch. Canadians, don't forget to grab your double double in the Philippines! We also visited SM Mall of Asia, the largest mall in the Philippines and one of the biggest in all of Asia. It was so massive that we couldn't even explore half of it - I was exhausted from all the walking!
On another weekend, we went to a different resort - my absolute favorite, let me tell you. We headed to Subic Bay and stayed at Central Park Reef Resort. This place was absolutely stunning! It had two pools, one of which was an infinity pool on the roof. The food was amazing, although a bit pricier than the first resort we visited. The beach was also much better - crystal clear and calmer waters. The facilities were amazing, with clean and spacious rooms, and even a restaurant with a cool 50s theme. I was in love with it all. But the best part was the view from the rooftop at sunset - it was absolutely breathtaking. Right next to the resort, there was a floating water park where I had so much fun, even though it was pretty challenging with all the slippery surfaces. I definitely left with more than a few bruises, but it was totally worth it!
Our last tour in the Philippines took us to the beautiful city of Manila. We were guided by the enthusiastic tourism students from Far Eastern University, who showed us around this vibrant city. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Manila Cathedral and the historic Fort Santiago, a fortress built by the Spaniards in 1571. Inside Fort Santiago, we explored a museum, a man-made canal connecting the Pasig River and Manila Bay, ruins of Spanish colonial barracks, and even old prison cells. The most impactful experience for me was entering one of the underground prisons used during World War II. The cramped conditions and dark atmosphere made me feel the weight of the history that took place there. The entire visit was truly fascinating and educational. Don't forget to pick up a souvenir from the shops before you leave.
And finally make sure to visit Harbour Square for a meal with a stunning ocean view.
As my adventure in this beautiful country came to an end, the students from the university prepared a goodbye party with food, souvenirs, and games. I had an amazing time and fell in love with the country, its cuisine, and its people. I highly recommend a visit to the Philippines for an unforgettable experience.
