Pre-Departure As a first-generation Texan Korean American, I can’t count how many times I’ve said the word “Annyeonghaseyo.” Balancing two cultures has always been “normal” for me. Within the community at the University of Texas at Austin, many people are unfamiliar with Korean culture. I had the unique opportunity to… read more
Global Ambassador
Finding Hygge in Copenhagen
After spending my last summer in Europe, I wasn’t expecting Copenhagen to be much different from other major cities. I figured Copenhagen would be loud, noisy and chaotic. But as I began to settle in, I quickly realized that Copenhagen had a unique charm that set it apart. The Danish… read more
Embracing Discomfort Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
It’s unbelievable how big and small the world can feel simultaneously. Yesterday, from where I was standing on an Australian beach, I imagined zooming out via Google Maps to the rest of the world. In my imagination, I was a minuscule dot at a single moment in time. Yet everything… read more
Costa Rica’s Model of Health and Culture
Throughout my time in Costa Rica, I’ve discovered the beauty in the small things. From the kindness of a family to the warmth of sharing our culture, it has been an experience like no other. Additionally, learning about the healthcare system in Costa Rica has allowed me to understand health… read more
Thailand: A Whirlwind of Experiences
“Sawadeeka. Kopunka. Chai. Mai chai.” These phrases echoed in my mind as my twenty-four-hour flight landed in Bangkok, Thailand. After months of practice, these were the words I committed to memory before embarking on my six-week research opportunity at Chulalongkorn University. As a first-generation college student, even the thought of… read more
A Simple Guide To Voting Abroad
Traveling abroad, especially living abroad as a student, is an exciting time. It can feel very busy as you are settling into a new culture and probably taking a deeper dive into a new language. But there are ways to stay connected to home; this fall, you can also make… read more
Seoul Searching: Studying Abroad in South Korea
Pre-Departure Traveling to South Korea has been a dream of mine since I was 13. I was the biggest K-pop fan and had a deep appreciation for the culture and language as a kid. I began studying the language on my own. Eventually, I took the Korean language placement exam… read more
Add Some SPICE to Your Life
“Don’t just be in another place, live in another place!” These were the very wise words in a text my mom sent me a few days after I arrived in Erfurt, Germany. When I got the text, I disregarded it with a half-hearted “I know.” The first few nights I… read more
Never a Better Time To Explore London
Despite the constant clouds and persistent rain that has Londoners reaching for their umbrellas over their sunglasses this summer, the charm of this city is unmatched. Upon landing, I discovered that I had seemingly stumbled upon the very best time to travel to London. So far, I’ve had the opportunity… read more
How Interning Abroad in Spain Changed My Life
If someone had told me, a Mexican immigrant, that I was going to intern abroad in Barcelona, Spain through Absolute Internship last summer, I never would have believed them. Fast forward a year and I’m now interning in Spain for the second time as the Program Coordinator in Madrid for… read more
