Busy Is a Blessing to Filipino DJ
By Chung Eun-ji
Contributing Writer
Some people today complain about being too busy. However, one multiplayer lives a 24/7 life and calls it a ``blessing.''
Maria Regina P. Arquiza is a 26-year-old from the Philippines currently studying advertising and public relations at Ewha Womans University.
To list just a few extra things she does: she writes feature articles as an editorial advisor of the newsletter ``Sulyapinoy'' for Filipino workers, is president of the student council organization of Filipino students in Korea, and is a translator for the magazine ``Rainbow'' for multicultural families.
She is also a DJ for the first radio program in Korea for immigrants from the Philippines, sponsored by Woongjin foundation, which airs daily.
``Everything I do now is such an invaluable experience which would have been hard to gain if I was only in the Philippines. These days I have so much fun recording the radio program for spouses who may have difficultly living in Korea due to cultural and language problems. I'm very touched when I happen to meet Filipinos and they say `I listen to you,''' Regina said.
And she seems to enjoy her busy life. ``There are tons of things to do. But if you like what you're doing, you don't feel the burden. I rather feel blessed to have a chance to study in Korea and experience all this.''
Regina was offered a full scholarship to Ewha in 2006. She seized the chance and came to Korea. She had a job after finishing college in the Philippines, but was always interested in Korea and Korean culture, which she was only acquainted with through Korean dramas and movies.
Before she received the scholarship, she searched the Internet and sent e-mails asking if Korean universities provide any scholarships to international students. It was the first year that the university launched the ``Ewha Global Partnership Program'' and Regina was chosen to be one of the first beneficiaries.
``It was my first time being abroad so it definitely was a big challenge for me to come to Korea. But I felt more excited than scared. I was willing to take the risk because I knew nothing would happen if I didn't try for it. I wanted to improve and develop myself more,'' she said.
``I take classes with Korean students and get the feeling that they are full of competing with others and obsessed with getting A-pluses. Many of them also seem to be afraid of taking challenges. I want to tell them, 'Don't be afraid to get out of your box and experience new things,''' she added.
Now, she has one semester left and is planning to enter graduate school in Korea and study her major more.
``When my studies are done, I plan to go back to the Philippines and work for a Korean company or teach at universities and share my dynamic experience with others,'' Regina said. She is DJ-ing her own life ― and enjoying it.