Mai-Anh Hoag

Major: Biology
Minors: Public Health, Biotechnology
Pathway: Values Science Technology
Study Abroad Program Location: Seoul, South Korea
Study Abroad Term: Fall 2024

Student Testimony

What motivated you to pursue a global education experience?

I am from the Bay Area and have never lived far away from home or my family. I wanted to study abroad to experience a new environment and grow from what I already know. I chose Seoul, South Korea because I wanted to be more integrated into Asian culture. As an Asian American, I have not visited Asia enough to call it my second home. Choosing Korea would allow me to learn more about the various Asian cultures, lifestyles, and influences that shape the country.

Describe your initial thoughts and feelings as you prepared to study or intern abroad.

As I was preparing for studying abroad it did not hit me that I would be living in another country for four months. During the summer before, I knew I would need to save up for the trip so I worked a couple jobs to have a comfortable budget when abroad. I was expecting to face a large language barrier so I studied the language before coming. I did fear that I would be lonely and it would be hard to make friends since I came into the program not knowing anyone. Lastly, I aspired to be more outgoing on this trip and make the most of my time.

Share a memorable experience or encounter that immersed you in the local culture.

I would say the program hosted a trip to Jeonju, a city known for its historic structures and cultural murals have allowed me to immerse myself into the local culture. There we got to try and dress in traditional Korean clothing, participate in fan decoration, and learned a bit about Korean calligraphy. Experiencing this helped me understand the history of what beliefs and practices has shaped the country today.

Discuss your academic or professional experiences abroad. 

My favorite class and class I learned from the most was Korean 1. In high school, I only took Spanish classes and at home, I speak Vietnamese. Learning a new language was exciting for me, especially when it's the primary language in a foreign country. The professor was extremely enthusiastic about teaching us the language and we got to learn phrases that helped us get through our stay there. Studying in a different environment has helped me learn different studying methods and what environments I thrive in. For example, in Korea, we had access to many study areas like cafes and within walking distance. The cafes here catered to many students hosting free wifi, outlets, and tasty drinks for one to enjoy.

Reflect on the personal growth and development you experienced during your time abroad.

Using social media platforms significantly helped me learn about resources to help me adjust to my time here. My program advisor was also a great help since she was a local and knew services and helped in translation when facing difficulties. Learning about societal norms helped me adapt, especially learning the language. I learned that language is a great access to knowledge and learning even small phrases will help you be integrated into the culture.

Describe the friendships and connections you formed with both local residents and fellow students.

I met so many people from all over the world in the program and friends that I will always remember. During my time abroad I also get to meet people from my school who I have never met before. Coming into this program I got to interact with people from other schools and in my school. During my time there I got to join a mentors club where I met local students and exchanged our experiences there. I got to learn about Korean traditions, like food and drinks, and spots around the city where I could visit. I got to learn so much more about her experiences there and share my experiences with other students in the program. These relationships have made my experience tremendously more positive.

Share a story about a challenge or obstacle you faced while studying or interning abroad and how you overcame it.

An obstacle I faced while studying abroad was being in constant communication with friends and family abroad. With the large time difference and limited ways of communication, it was difficult to constantly update my family about my whereabouts. To conquer this we set up a certain time to call and understand that I was constantly on the move.

How has studying or interning abroad influenced your career goals, worldview, or future aspirations?

Studying abroad has influenced me greatly to explore more career and education options abroad. In the future, I would love to study in Korea again or immerse myself in a different culture. I would like to explore other countries as well and hopefully find a career where I could do so.