Hello everyone! My name is Caroline Banh, and I’m in my final year of college. As a first-generation, low-income student, for me, studying abroad, has been a monumental and life-changing experience. At one point in my life, I thought this opportunity might not be possible due to financial barriers and the challenges that come with being the first in my family to navigate higher education. While I was growing up, studying abroad felt like a distant dream, something that seemed out of reach. However, through hard work, perseverance and through the support of various programs and scholarships, I was able to make this dream a reality.
Being able to immerse myself in a completely different culture has not only broadened my worldview but has also reinforced my belief in the importance of stepping outside of one's comfort zone in order to grow as a person. I grew up in the Bay Area, where I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by family, community and the comfort of my own safe "bubble". While I’ve always loved the energy of my hometown, I realized that my experiences, though valuable, had been confined to the familiar. One of the main reasons I chose to study abroad was to push myself out of my comfort zone.
