Why did you choose this program?

I chose to participate in an internship program to gain more insight into my future career. I wanted to have a hands-on experience abroad! I also decided to go through TEAN and ISA because I know they are good at finding internships that align with what you're looking for. Their commitment to diversity throughout their programs also made me feel welcomed and well taken care of.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Throughout the process, I received a lot of help from my study abroad advisor. I would say the process wasn't as stressful since it was my second time going abroad, so I was familiar with how things would go. For the most part, I kept my advisor updated when filling out forms with my home university and attending required meetings. Since I participated in a third-party program with TEAN and ISA, I needed to handle this myself, with support from my advisor when needed.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One thing I wish I knew before starting my internship would be to always have a backup plan. Whether it's emergency funds, an alternative route to your internship location, or carrying a portable charger. Despite having support from onsite staff, it's important to be independent in getting to and from your internship. Overall, my best piece of advice would be to always have a backup plan in case something doesn't go as planned.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My average week consisted of Mondays and Fridays being the busiest. Tuesdays and Thursdays were excursion days, whether indoors or outdoors. Wednesdays were dedicated to catching up on personal office tasks. I typically worked around forty-two hours weekly. With activities scheduled for four out of five days, I mostly focused on completing tasks such as Korean lyrics translation, graduation certificates, or helping set up the cafe.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear abroad is getting hurt. During one trip, I sprained my ankle, but my tour guide provided support and care. They gave me medicine, wrapped my ankle, and made sure I was okay overall. They stayed in contact with me after the trip to ensure I was receiving the necessary care and to monitor my recovery. With the support of the staff and friends I made abroad, who helped me find medicine pharmacies, I overcame this challenge. I will always be grateful for the staff's assistance during my biggest fear.

Write and answer your own question.

I think what people would be most interested in would be cultural games, traditional foods, cafe culture, etc. From my experience, I think the best way to explore Korea would be to dive into the culture head first. You can experience so much when you get out of your comfort zone, so my best advice is to at least try everything once.