Travel Goals 2019: What a Filipino Government Employee Must Know When Traveling Abroad

Hello Philippines! It's my first time in South Korea.

My First international travel is really a great challenging adventure since I stepped on the Immigration of Cebu International Airport. You know why? Let me tell you why. 😊😎

If you are a government employee, you must secure a Travel Authority from your agency. I'm under DepEd so I must have it signed by the DepEd Secretary. Before, we can have it signed by the Regional Director. This time, no more. It should be forwarded to the Central Office. Unfortunately, my request of travel authority was not returned to me on time and being my first time in the immigration, I didn't anticipate much how strictly they are. If you are planning to travel abroad, start processing your travel authority 3 to 6 months time. In my case, I got cleared at the Division Office February 1, 2019. My flight is April 27, 2019. So better process it the earliest time as possible.

So, going back to the 27th of April, the schedule of my flight, I was on hold at the immigration for 3 hours and 10 minutes. My flight is 5:30 pm so I must be on board 45 minutes before departure. I entered the immigration at 2:00 pm. Thank God He is been so gracious as always. I exerted all efforts to have a copy of the endorsement letter of my request. I was not able to bring it, fortunate that the people where I can ask for help was available. Thanks to my older sister who traveled home for 30 minutes just to look for my endorsement letter at school and at home. And to my immediate boss at work who was at a meeting that time, for extending her help writing a letter of approval together with the attacked copy of her school ID ( a proof that supports her being my School Head). The immigration needs a paper that you at least process a Travel Authority for their records. That is why endorsement letters or leave form is an alternatives if Travel Authority is delayed. Thirty minutes before departure, I am cleared from the immigration. I have to run fast because I am the only person not yet on board. I have this heavy packed bag and one more handy bag and a sling bag with me. It wasn't that heavy anymore when I have to start running after an officer told me I have to. And so, I was in the plane then, I couldn't expect I'm going to fly to SK! It was a 50-50 flight. The plane started to fly 5 minutes after I was on board. We fly 4 hours and 30 minutes to Incheon International Airport. One more thing that made this flight more challenging was my phone got empty battery before arriving at my destination. Another problem I have to hurdle hahaha. So because I started a little conversation with my French seatmates ( Good thing they speak English), I tried to ask them a favor if I can possibly call someone who will fetch me at the airport. I secured my friend's number on a scratch using my liquid eyeliner before my battery got empty. That is resourcefulness. Lol! I was able to call my friend. He didn't expect me to call using a Korean mobile number. Thanks to Rima and her boyfriend who let me have a phone call and a power bank and to the great conversation we had while queuing at the SK immigration. Lesson learned, never forget a charger and a power bank while traveling. Lol it's really basic but I failed. 😁 maybe I got too excited to my flight? Lols! Another lesson, initiate a conversation to your seatmate. The 4 hours flight is quite boring. It's good to at least get acquainted with strangers especially foreign ones.

My French seatmates who have such a kind heart. Thanks to you guys!😘

Upon arriving at the airport, we have to fill in a health concern form. The form is already given at the plane before arriving. Then go straight ahead to the immigration, there is another form given during the flight. It is all about information needed by the Korean immigration like some personal information, complete address while in SK, number of days in staying at SK, etc. At the immigration, the officer only needs your passport, flight number, thumb mark and the filled in form. No more questions or interviews. Then, they will hand you your entry confirmation sheet indicating until what day you are to stay in SK. Simple as that! After passing the immigration, don't forget your checked in baggage. You might forget it out of excitement. Lol! Then you're good to go! One more queue going out, prepare your flight number, passport and entry confirmation and you're ready to sojourn SK!

South Korea is so amazingly beautiful. It is clean and very organized. You will surely love almost everything in SK as I do.