Hi everyone! My name is Daphne, and I am a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where I study Business. I was born and raised in California, but I have family from Taiwan, Argentina and Mexico. Growing up around different cultures made me curious about the world and excited to learn about people and places that are different from my own.
My journey to South Korea actually started with something simple: watching K-dramas and listening to K-pop! I became interested in Korean culture and decided that I wanted to learn Korean. I started teaching myself Korean, even though I still have a lot to learn! This fall, I am taking my learning one big step further by traveling to Seoul to study at Seoul National University. While I am there, one of my biggest goals is to improve my Korean and hopefully become much more fluent.
I also chose to study in South Korea because I want to learn more about Korean culture and what everyday life is like there. In the future, I hope to work in international business, which means I may have the opportunity to work with people from many different countries. I think understanding other cultures is an important part of being able to work and communicate with people around the world. Studying abroad will also give me the chance to become more independent by living and studying in a country far away from home.
Outside of school, I enjoy playing the piano, baking, and taking long walks. I also love sports! I played Division I basketball in high school, and I practice kendo, a Japanese martial art. I have competed in kendo at the national level and have won three All-National U.S. Kendo gold medals. I was also a member of the U.S. women's kendo team. Sports have taught me the importance of practice, patience, teamwork, and not giving up when something is difficult.
During my time in South Korea, I am excited to explore Seoul, try new foods, meet new people, practice Korean, and discover what it is like to be a student in another country. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can show you that something as small as being curious about a new country can turn into a really exciting adventure. I can't wait to share what I learn and experience with you!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
