Maria Isho
STAMPS School of Art and Design
The biggest reason I wanted to travel abroad was because I had never been abroad before, and I wanted to experience a different culture and setting than what I am used to.
A core memory of mine was sitting by the Hangang River and eating food with friends while the sun was setting. It was so scenic and was the breath of fresh air I needed in life. I also sat and picniced by a canal which was equally as relaxing. Because my class schedule was from 8am -3pm, I had to use the rest of my days wisely and often crammed as much as I could, so moments like sitting alone by the river were the best way to sit and take in everything you’ve done. I also enjoyed exploring new areas every day and interacting with locals. The locals made me feel so welcome and appreciated. I did not know much about any Korean prior to the trip, but I did my best to learn before going places and it led to many pleasant interactions. Studying abroad most certainly impacted my academic focus. As an art major, I’m always curious to learn about new art techniques and practices, and what better way to do that than to travel somewhere else? I had access to materials that I would have otherwise had difficulty getting here and worked with genuinely brilliant professors who taught me about traditional Korean craft. The skills I learned from them I plan to carry into my work and explore further. One of my biggest struggles on the trip was my physical unpreparedness; there were extreme hills and stairs everywhere we went, unlike Michigan’s relatively flat land. Had I known, I would have started endurance training much earlier and more consistently than I did prior to going. If I were to do the trip again, I would use the art studio resources to my fullest extent; I was a bit slow at learning ceramics, but once I got the hang of it I created pieces I really enjoyed, but because I was slow I only had a few pieces to bring back. I would also like to visit more museums and revisit the palace.
My trip to Korea was genuinely the most fulfilling life experience I’ve ever had, and it would never have been possible for me to go without the First-Gen Education Abroad Scholarship.
As a first-generation student, I often felt guilty that I was able to have this amazing opportunity to not only go to university but also go abroad. I know that my parents deserved to accomplish the same things but it just did not work out that way. Because of that, I made sure to make the absolute most out of my experience in Korea and explore as much of the culture as I could, and I updated my parents every day about my travels.
Here is my advice for future students who would like to study abroad:
1. Try to learn the language when you can; it is respectful and people will appreciate your effort.
2. Don’t spend all your time in your dorms! There is so much more to do than just attend your classes. Try to explore as much of the culture as you can and make the most of your trip there.
3. Talk to your classmates, they all often have good insights on how to navigate things like public transport or currency.
4. If you’re traveling to Korea in the summer, be prepared for the monsoon season! There is a month of intense and non-stop rain, but don’t let it disrupt your experience. Just make sure to have shoes and clothes suited for the weather. Speaking of, I recommend buying a handheld fan as the summer heat is intense.
5. Don’t be afraid to travel alone! I loved making friends and meeting new people, but my experiences while traveling alone helped me become even more independent and were just as enjoyable as traveling with groups. And if you are starting your trip with your friend group, try branching out and meeting new people.