Emily P. | UCB Study Abroad

"I really took pride and importance on my own identities when going abroad- understanding the complexity and interconnectedness of my identities with my host country’s culture was enriching. I learned to further embrace my identities because that's what allowed me to connect with others-both locals and other study abroad students!"

What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

I had previously travelled to South Korea and knew I wanted to return for a longer time period than just a vacation. I truly wanted to come back with a greater grip and knowledge on the language and culture, which led me to study abroad during my junior year. I chose Yonsei University in particular because it is a world-renowned university, very famous for its study abroad/international student program, and I felt confident about the resources provided pre-departure.

What salient identities do you hold? How did your identity/identities impact the way you prepared for, or chose your study abroad experience?

My identities all are very important to me and relevant to the work I do and the education I seek. Being a Latinx woman and first-generation student from a community that has taught me to be resilient and empowered is extremely intentional in all of my goals and ambitions. My mixed roots stem from Mexico and El Salvador, two countries that are historically and culturally different from Korea. I strive to greatly represent my community and people wherever I go, carrying it in my voice and holding it in my heart while sharing it with others. My home community is beautiful and strong, though it does not have a strong immediate connection to the people of my host community.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

A typical day abroad would be, me waking up and joining my early classes in the morning from the comfort of my SK Global dorm room. Then, I would head out to get late lunch with friends (either through the bus, subway or walking!), head to a themed cafe, and study in between those two options. I would then head back to my dorm or another cafe and join my next set of classes.After classes, I would either be at some sort of concert, celebrity event, or travelling throughout the city. Everyday was a new adventure!

What coursework did you take while abroad? How did courses abroad compare with Berkeley classes?

The courses I took abroad were:
1. Contemporary Korean Cinema and Society
2. Korea-US Relations
3. Understanding K-pop
4. Intensive Korean Language (Level 3)
In comparison to Berkeley classes, they were less hands-on, more independent, less assignments but more heavy workload on studying for exams or essays. Due to the nature of the COVID precautions, they were also extremely flexible as they were all online.

Often, studying abroad can influence or shift our understanding of our own identities. How did your experiences studying abroad impact your understanding of your own identities? And/or what lessons did you learn in general related to your identities?

I really took pride and importance on my own identities when going abroad- understanding the complexity and interconnectedness of my identities with my host country’s culture was enriching. I learned to further embrace my identities because thats what allowed me to connect with others-both locals and other study abroad students!

What was the most memorable/meaningful aspect of your time abroad?

Every single experience was meaningful- every new restaurants explored, new friendships made, concerts attended, and domestic travel. However, in particular at the end of my time abroad I felt like I had a local perspective and experience in the country, which made the country feel like a 2nd home.

What was the biggest challenge/concern of your study abroad experience? How did you respond?

Going abroad during a pandemic, particularly a country that had strict covid rules intertwined with your immigration/visa status- it was a bit stressful to keep up with updated changes. However, this made me more resilient and grow my skills to advocate for myself!

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially if they share similar identities and/or are considering your country or program?

I would recommend reaching out to other students who share similar identities before departure and during the program. Don't let your identities alone stop you from going somewhere vastly different from your background!