Written by Genesis Mendez
Deja McLean is our newest Study Abroad & Away peer advisor and is a Fall 2022 study abroad returnee who studied in South Korea. Deja studied abroad in South Korea during the global COVID-19 pandemic and had to be quarantined upon entry per the country’s entry requirements for foreign nationals. Below, Deja shares her experience, insights, and takeaways from her studies there.
What was it like to study in such a distant region of the world, with so many differences in South Korea?
Studying abroad in South Korea was an amazing experience. I was able to grow independently as a young woman abroad. I also made new friendships and connections with people from all over the world. There were good moments and bad moments that came with studying abroad there, but I persevered and learned from them. I would do it all over again.
What was it like to be a person of color studying in South Korea?
South Korea is a homogenous society, so the foreign population is not big. Before going abroad, I prepared myself to accept stares and other problems that may occur. Even though I prepared myself for the worst, my experience there had a different outcome. I was able to meet a lot of Korean people and became friends with other foreign students from Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and the UK! I didn’t feel so alone abroad anymore after becoming friends with almost everyone I met.
Was it always clear to you that you wanted to study abroad, and if so, how did you know?
I didn’t gain interest in studying abroad until I got to college. Liz was my First Year Experience advisor so when I first learned that she was the director of the Study Abroad office I instantly wanted to know more about it. Towards the end of the Fall 2020 semester, the idea of studying abroad wasn’t just an idea for me anymore. I brought it up to my parents and they were very unsure about it at first, so I think their reactions made me determined to study abroad. The more I talked about it with them, the more comfortable they became with me going abroad. I knew I wanted to do something in my college career that would be completely out of my comfort zone and that’s what studying abroad was. Like I said earlier, I would do it all over again.
At the time you studied abroad, the South Korean government required you to be quarantined for two weeks upon arrival. How would you describe your experience being isolated in a small hotel room during a pandemic?
So, I quarantined through a service called EnKor and my quarantine room wasn’t that bad. It was basically an apartment. My daily activities consisted of watching Netflix, Facetiming my friends and family back home, and studying Korean. Being quarantined didn’t go downhill until I got to week 2. I desperately wanted to go outside and get fresh air, but all I could do was open the windows. I stopped eating the food they delivered everyday because the food they delivered became repetitive. Thankfully I was able to order pizza and chicken for delivery some days! I think I could do another quarantine if it was one week shorter.
During your time in Korea, how did you adjust to the Korean language and cultural norms?
I studied Korean for a year with a private tutor for about a year before going. I continued my private lessons with my Korean tutor even after I got to Korea. I even got to meet her in person! I knew most of the cultural norms already prior to going. If I didn’t know, I was always open to learning and improving for next time. Since I had this mindset, I didn’t have a major culture shock experience.
Did studying abroad assist you in any way in your personal development since you studied abroad?
Yes, I grew a lot after studying abroad. While I was away, I only had myself and the advice my parents could give me over the phone to rely on. I had to learn how to live independently for 4 months, and I learned how to do that quickly. For instance, I developed problem solving skills, how to adapt to a new environment, and my skill level in Korean improved a lot as well. Those are just some of the skills I gained whilst abroad.
Since your first semester at TU was virtual during spring 2021 and your study abroad program happened in the fall of 2021, how does it feel to be on campus for the first time in spring 2022?
Before the spring semester started, I was actually very nervous to be on campus. I didn’t know where any of my classes were and that freaked me out honestly. However, my friend offered to show me where my classes were on campus. So, I took the offer and after that day I felt more comfortable with navigating the campus by myself. Now, being on campus is so fun because I get to meet old friends that I went to high school with and make new friends in my classes. Plus having the opportunity to work in the Study Abroad and Away office is super fun because I get to meet a lot of students with similar interests.
What drew you to your chosen location to study abroad?
I knew I wanted to study abroad somewhere other than Europe, the Caribbean, or South America. I remember seeing a TikTok about South Korea being a good location to study abroad. So, I did a lot of research from cultural norms to watching YouTube videos about people of color’s experiences. I really wanted to prepare myself for what to expect as a foreign student living in South Korea for a semester. Plus, I do enjoy watching Korean dramas and movies, listening to Korean music, and eating Korean food as well.
What was it like to live in South Korea compared to the U.S?
Overall, living in South Korea was enjoyable and I think I would live there again. Access to public transportation and navigating it was easy considering I have never used public transportation ever. Compared to the U.S., it was cheaper to charge my t-money card (transportation card) than paying for gas every 1-2 weeks. Also, everything was walking distance, so I didn’t have to walk far if I wanted food or craved something from the convenience store. After coming back home, I do wish there were some things that the U.S. had that South Korea does have. For example, when you’re in a restaurant and you want to call your waiter, you can press a button and they’ll come to your table. I could go on and on about things South Korea has that the U.S. doesn’t.
What advice would you give to a student preparing for a study abroad program?
Don’t let outside opinions sway your decision on studying abroad. If you believe that a study abroad experience will benefit you in the future, then go for it. When considering a study abroad program, ask yourself a lot of questions and do a lot of research on your own. You’ll find a lot about yourself once you do all of that. P.S. exchange money with your bank prior to going abroad!
What inspired you to pursue a career with a major in computer science?
I was encouraged by my parents to consider studying computer science. I actually wanted to study law first, but because I was also interested in tech, I decided to major in computer science. I am enjoying it so far and I can’t wait to see where I will be in the future.
What career would you like to have with your major in computer science?
I would like to take my computer science degree and work for the government. I’m certain I want to work with the Department of Defense in the future, so I will be applying to those internships soon.
Despite COVID being in the way during the time Deja studied abroad, she still took full advantage of the opportunity to be in a new cultural setting and around a new culture where the customs and way of life were different and was able to adjust to them. Deja’s time in South Korea allowed her to make new friends, grow as a person, and improve her Korean language skills.
