My name is Helen. I grew up in Orange County, California. My family is from China and every 4-5 years we would travel and visit my grandparents. This is the initial spark that made me want to travel the world. I'm from Los Angeles, California, and I study anthropology. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting stuffed bees. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and reading in the park and the beach.
I have always wanted to learn about cultures and societies that differ from mine. Orange County is diverse in terms of ethnicities and cultures. Growing up in that environment has made me grow appreciative of everyone's backgrounds and experiences. In college, I am able to study cultures that I would not encounter in my everyday life like the Indigenous people of Australia. At this time, I choose to learn more about them, leading me to study at the University of Melbourne. During my stay, I will take classes to better understand Indigenous history and cultures. I'm most excited to try Australian food.
I hope you will join me for this exciting adventure!
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 clicking here!
