{"id":9170,"date":"2024-11-14T23:06:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T23:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/?p=9170"},"modified":"2024-11-15T01:37:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T01:37:36","slug":"first-time-in-the-philippines-10-things-to-know-for-a-great-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/first-time-in-the-philippines-10-things-to-know-for-a-great-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"First Time in the Philippines: 10 Things to Know for a Great Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hello, future English students! Are you ready for your adventure of learning English in the Philippines? Today, we will explore valuable experiences from our &#8220;seniors&#8221; who have gone through this journey. Let&#8217;s find out 10 things to keep in mind for a smooth and memorable start! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Communication: English is the key<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippines is a multilingual country, but English is widely used in daily communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don&#8217;t be afraid to speak English, Filipinos are very friendly and patient<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn a few basic Tagalog sentences to score points with the locals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a translation app like Google Translate when necessary<br>Tip: Participate in &#8220;language exchanges&#8221; at school to practice English and make new friends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Getting Around: Diverse and Fun<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippines has many unique modes of transportation, each offering its own unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jeepney: The most popular and cheapest form of public transportation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tricycle: Good choice for short distances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grab: Safe and convenient ride-hailing app<br>Note: Always negotiate a price before using a tricycle or regular taxi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Behaving with Locals: Respectful and Friendly<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Filipinos are known for their hospitality and friendliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always smile and say hello<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the word &#8220;po&#8221; or &#8220;opo&#8221; when talking to elders to show respect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid overly intimate gestures when you first meet<br>For example: When invited to a Filipino friend&#8217;s house, bring a small gift such as candy or flowers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Food: Discover new flavors<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Filipino cuisine is diverse and unique, don&#8217;t miss the chance to enjoy it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Try street food like balut, isaw, or fishball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visit night markets to experience local food culture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be careful with spicy food and strong spices if you are not used to it<br>Tips: Bring stomach medicine and digestive enzymes in case you don&#8217;t like the local food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Financial management: Save and be smart<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open a local bank account for convenient transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a spending management app like Mint or YNAB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find out about promotions and discounts for students<br>Note: Always carry some cash, as not all places accept cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Connect: Stay in touch easily<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Staying connected to the internet and communicating is important when abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buy a local SIM card as soon as you arrive at the airport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find out about student data plans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install a VPN to access blocked websites (if needed)<br>Tip: Use apps like WhatsApp or Viber to make free calls to Vietnam.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Take advantage of every opportunity<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget that your main goal is to learn English!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Join English clubs at school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch movies and listen to music in English every day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find a &#8220;language partner&#8221; to practice outside of class<br>For example, organize a weekly &#8220;English movie night&#8221; with friends to have fun and learn English.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Safety: Be alert and smart<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippines is generally safe, but you should still be careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always keep an eye on your belongings in public places<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid going alone at night in unfamiliar areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save the emergency phone number and address of the Vietnamese embassy<br>Note: Register with the Vietnamese embassy in the Philippines as soon as you arrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Weather: Prepare for all situations<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The weather in the Philippines can change quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bring an umbrella and a light raincoat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use sunscreen daily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare suitable clothes for both the rainy and dry seasons<br>Tips: Download a local weather forecast app to stay updated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Culture and festivals: Immerse yourself in local life<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippines has many interesting festivals and cultural events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn about local festivals and participate if possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respect local customs and practices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be open to learning and experiencing new cultures<br>For example, join the Sinulog festival in Cebu or the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo to experience authentic Filipino culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-2.jpg 612w, https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/First-time-in-Phillipines-2-300x251.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boracay, Philippines &#8211; January 29, 2011: Tricycle motor running on the street in Boracay, Philippines. Motorized tricycles are a common means of passenger transport everywhere in the Philippines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Have you had any interesting experiences when you first came to the Philippines? Share them with us in the comments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take a quick survey with Vera!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What worries you most when you first come to the Philippines?<\/strong><br>A. Communicating in English<br>B. Getting around and finding your way<br>C. Adapting to a new environment<br>D. Managing your finances<br>Don&#8217;t forget to share this article with your friends who are preparing to study English in the Philippines! Wishing you a wonderful and memorable study abroad experience!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello, future English students! Are you ready for your adventure of learning English in the Philippines? Today, we will explore valuable experiences from our &#8220;seniors&#8221; who have gone through this journey. Let&#8217;s find out 10 things to keep in mind for a smooth and memorable start! \ud83d\ude80 1. Communication: English is the key The Philippines [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,26,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-internship","category-philippines","category-study-abroad"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9170"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9200,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9170\/revisions\/9200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veraacademy.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}