Originally Posted by mosburger
I personally don't think security at major hotels can be overstated in countries like the Philippines. I was in Jakarta a month after the Marriot bombing and even then found the checkpoints almost too laid back, especially as I have some personal experience in uniform of establishing perimeter security. It's a small nuisance compared to what downplaying security issues for the sake of tourism might mean as we saw in the recent Tsunami impact on the Phuket region.
I just found it a bit strange as I’d personally consider Intercontinental and Hyatt to be more “high profile” names than New World Renaissance. Yet those locations had no bag searches. I’m all for strict hotel security in the Philippines though.
Originally Posted by fallinasleep
Off topic comment. When I was a university exchange student years ago, I had a Finnish classmate who was the envy of us all. Apparently, the Finnish government essentially paid his tuition and a stipend for his living expenses abroad, and he said it was common practice for any Finn choosing this route. Is this still the case?
Originally Posted by jpatokal
Yes, if I can correct a few details. Many Finnish universities have exchange programs with other universities, which usually means waiving the fees for both parties. And a fixed stipend is paid for students studying overseas (subject to time limits and academic performance and other income, yadda yadda); it goes a very long way in, say, Bangkok but isn't so hot in Japan (or Korea). But free money is still free money
That’s it. But for example the housing aid goes nowhere in more expensive places and in Finland. But as said above, free money is free money.
Seat2A,
After reading yet another BA F mastepiece of yours, I'm very tempted to book a BA F award myself in May.
Pictures from my travels are now available at
http://lari.pp.fi/
Best Regards,
LH747FTL