Google Student Ambassador Summit: Day 2

Hello! :) So, day 2! Let's go!

The second day was generally learning more about Google and their different products and services. One of the first things we learned was about the culture at Google. As you will see in the next few photos, it's pretty chill, casual, colorful yet simple. The environment makes you want to match up to its creativity and simplicity which I think is important when you're talking about Google. 

If it's one of the few things that come into mind when I think about Google besides it being worldwide, big-time, and "Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.", it's that it's all about creativity and simplicity. Don't you feel that when you're using your gMail or Youtube? It's easy to use. :) 

Anyways, that definitely wasn't the perfect explanation of the culture but I just wanted to share what I felt and what I picked up from the talk and my stay there. Definitely, there's a lot more I'll learn throughout this whole year and there's a great possibility that I'll share it with you guys in the future.

Treats table :) 

They have a swing!!

We had about ten talks that day. Some products and services we learned more about were Google Docs, Chrome, Chromebook, Google Maps, and Google+. These are the some of the common things we know about, yet it was interesting knowing more about them.

CHROME

Chrome is my primary browser. Actually, it's one of the two browsers installed in my laptop, but it's the one I use all the time. (FACT: 73% of those who viewed my blog entry for the first day of the Google Student Ambassador Summit were using Chrome) One thing cool I learned about it is that it had the incognito mode. I was always wondering what that white being with the collar of his coat popped up, wearing a hat was. I used it once but found out that it's like your regular tabs but it doesn't save the history or the cookies. So, if you're using a friends device and you don't want to leave a trail of the websites you went to, Incognito Mode is the way to go :)

CHROMEBOOK

Here are pictures of the Chromebook which we got a first hand touch of :)

GOOGLE MAPS

We also learned more about Google maps. Every so often, we find ourselves (or at least my dad and I) using Google maps to get directions to a place we haven't been to before. Or, I use it before asking permission to go to a friends birthday party or a get together to know what to say when asked about the location. Like, it's near this place we went to or near that mall we always go to. You get the picture ;) 

Something I learned about the maps is that we as the primary users can help making it accurate by correcting the name of the streets, putting streets where there are streets but are not on the map, etc. The have this thing called Mapmaker (<-- link). One of the Filipinos we met there (hi Arielle!) also shared to us how she organizes groups together and they map out streets in the Philippines. Very cool!

GOOGLE+

Another thing we learned about was Google+. There are so many cool features in Google+. They have this thing called Hangout wherein many people can video chat at the same time. Also, if you want to have a gig online but you want to do it in your own home or at a friends house, like if you guys have a band and want to share your music, you can link the hangout to those who you want to see it. Based on personal experience, it took about a minute or less to download. So, it's fast to download and easy to use.

There's also another cool feature in Google+ called Party Mode. I really don't know how to explain it well so here's a link to know more about it. But, what I understand about it is that there will be a live feed of pictures from the party. If you snap a picture in your phone, it'll automatically upload to Google+. This is something I have to try in the future! :)

That's it for now with some of the products and services. Maybe in the future, there will be more cool things I can share to you guys ;)

After the talks, the GSA's were shown the beautiful Singapore by the hosts.

Some of our new Southeast Asian friends :)

The other boat with the other GSA's.

Our friend from Thailand being interviewed.

Chinese kids going on a cruise too.

After the cruise, we had time to take photos. I'll introduce you to the Google Student Ambassadors from the Philippines.

The first batch of Filipino Google Student Ambassadors :)

GSA's from De La Salle University
from left to right
back row: David Ramos, Sam Perez, Johan Aguilar, Mikee Villegas
front row: Patric Sugay, Queenie Reyes, Amourr Arenas, and Pat Chengliong

GSA from Ateneo de Manila University
Kirk Jamison

GSA's from the University of the Philippines
left to right
Ryan Caro and Jyle Sulit

GSA's from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
left to right
JM Basa, Mafe Ortego, and Toff Dela Cruz

GSA from the University of Makati
Ruel Grajo

Some of the GSA's with some of the Googlers! :)

After that, we were treated by Google to a sumptuous dinner at Medz :) It was a buffet but those ones wherein you have to pick one specific meal for each course.

The appetizer

Mushroom and something soup :)

Striploin - Medium Rare

We also had dessert. A lot of us chose crepe wherein we all got to choose from a variety of flavors for the sauce such as strawberry, mango, and chocolate. :) Yuuuum!

After dinner, we headed back to our hotel which was the Grand Copthorne Hotel. Thanks again, Google for another day!

Here's our hotel room and my room mate, Mafe! hahaha!

After a day of talks, more bonding with the other GSA's, a cruise of Singapore, and a sumptuous dinner, a lot of the GSA's were eager to continue discussions with for a presentation which I mentioned in the post yesterday so we had meetings late that night.

Lastly for that day, the night didn't end early considering that it was the last night we were all going to be complete in Singapore for the trip, many of the GSA's hung-out which would definitely include the Filipino GSA's who bonded even more! :)

Here's the group shot for the day:

credits to:  Benny Suryajaya for the picture

If you made it this far in this quite lengthy post, niiiceee! hahahaha! Thanks again! :)