Help Kristen Study Abroad in South Korea!

Kristen Fiske Start Date: Apr 14, 2017 - End Date: Feb 18, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • South Korea

My Travel Story

by: Kristen Fiske Start Date: Apr 14, 2017 - End Date: Feb 18, 2018
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Studying abroad is something I have wanted to pursue for several years. It would be an absolutely amazing experience to further my education in a completely new and different culture than what I am used to living in. That is why I have applied and have been accepted through Winona State University to study abroad at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea for the Spring term of 2018.

            I have researched several different study abroad programs throughout the course of this academic year, however I decided to choose South Korea as my destination. One of the reasons I chose South Korea is because of my dear friend, Chaerin. She was an exchange student from South Korea who attended my high school in 2014. We became very good friends as we had several classes together. It was a very emotional experience when she left to go back home, which is why I have been longing to see her again. Another reason I chose to study abroad in South Korea is because it is not among the more popular destinations students tend to choose. When students are planning on studying abroad, they usually think of Europe and Australia. However, I did not want to conform to what other students were choosing. Instead, I chose a less popular destination that is known to be exciting, nonetheless. Korea is also a very interesting and attractive destination to further my education in my major.

            My course load at WSU has been intense over the past two years, averaging 17 credits per semester. Even though my course load has been heavy, I have still managed to keep my grades at an A/B average. I have also been juggling two jobs, attending one during the week and the other on the weekends. During my first year of college, I started out as a Nursing major. However, as I took more and more classes that were Nursing-related, I realized that I was not as passionate as I thought I was about that particular field. I began to look into Geoscience because I loved the environment, however I ended up choosing Legal Studies instead. I chose this field because I have always been great at arguing. I think I would be proficient in criminal law because I am extremely interested in the Criminal Justice system and have had a Criminal Justice minor since the start of my college experience. The reason for my interest in the Criminal Justice system is because I want to help restore communities that are in turmoil because of crime.

            Through the once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying abroad in South Korea, I hope to develop a broader perspective on International Law in order to help me grasp a better understanding of how Korea deals with legal issues and how their system is different from other countries’ systems. A course that I am planning on taking that Chung-Ang offers is called “History of American Foreign Relations.” With this course, I hope to learn about the history of Korean relations with America and how the two countries have maintained a steady relationship over the years. I think this would greatly benefit me as a Legal Studies student because learning about legal issues in another country will broaden my perspective on these issues and will help me to gain more respect for other cultures, as I will have gained expertise in this specific country. This experience will also benefit me when I apply for Law School because it will show that I am not afraid to venture into a foreign country and it will also demonstrate that I have taken a big step in educating myself about foreign relations in another country. My experience as an international student in Korea will also help me empathize with those in the criminal justice system who are not the dominant culture of the United States. Immersing myself in another culture will not only help me to grow professionally, but also individually.

            This amazing experience will help me grow and develop my personal character. I will be able to reflect on and discover myself within a foreign country while simultaneously learning and gaining knowledge about the country. The need to navigate unfamiliar places by myself and meet new people will also help me become more independent and outgoing.

    Funds are extremely tight for me to pay for my education, so I am forced to take out several loans that are already accumulating interest that I will be forced to pay off in the future. My parents try to help me out when they can, however they cannot always afford to help me out. That is why fundmytravel will make a huge difference in helping me achieve my dream of studying abroad in South Korea. I will be deeply thankful for any amount of donation I may receive for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
  • South Korea

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