I just bought my plane ticket to Seoul! I leave from Detroit on August 20th and I arrive in Seoul on the 21st. It's a 13-hour direct flight, definitely the longest flight I will have ever taken (the second longest was coming from Istanbul last summer, which was 11 hours). I'm so glad I found a direct flight because I won't have to worry about my baggage getting lost during layovers at other airports. Plus longer flights have nicer airplanes which is a bonus as well.
I'm also working on my visa application. I just need to get a money order from my bank and take passport photos. Thank goodness I can mail everything in instead of having to go in person to the Korean consulate. Finding a way to get to Chicago would have been really annoying. The only thing I'm worried about is my passport getting lost but I'm mitigating the problem by buying mail that has insurance and express mailing.
I'm slowly checking off the items on my to-do list. This week I also have a doctor's appointment so I can get the medical letter needed for Boren. Whenever I become stressed when thinking about all the things I need to accomplish, I keep reminding myself that in two months I will be in the country that I've wanted to be in for the past two years. The wait will be worth it!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Encouraging students to study abroad
I want to take this opportunity to let others know about two MSU students who are also studying abroad for a year. They are writing blogs too and I encourage you to read them because they provide another side to studying abroad.
The first blog comes from Marisa Reynolds, who is also studying abroad at Yonsei University. Here's the link to her blog: http://studiesin-seoul.blogspot.com/
Marisa and I have been in the same Korean class for the past two years and I'm so pumped to represent MSU with her in Seoul.
The second blog comes from Chris Murphy, who is studying abroad in China. He's currently in Harbin for a two-month summer program and then he heads to China again for a year-long program. Chris also received the Boren scholarship. Here's the link to his blog: http://spartansabroad.wordpress.com/
I'm hoping that with all three blogs, Marisa, Chris, and I can encourage Spartans and future MSU students to study abroad. The journey may seem intimidating (and I would lie if I said it wasn't), but adding personal voices allows students to see that the process really is doable and also extremely rewarding in the short and long run.
The first blog comes from Marisa Reynolds, who is also studying abroad at Yonsei University. Here's the link to her blog: http://studiesin-seoul.blogspot.com/
Marisa and I have been in the same Korean class for the past two years and I'm so pumped to represent MSU with her in Seoul.
The second blog comes from Chris Murphy, who is studying abroad in China. He's currently in Harbin for a two-month summer program and then he heads to China again for a year-long program. Chris also received the Boren scholarship. Here's the link to his blog: http://spartansabroad.wordpress.com/
I'm hoping that with all three blogs, Marisa, Chris, and I can encourage Spartans and future MSU students to study abroad. The journey may seem intimidating (and I would lie if I said it wasn't), but adding personal voices allows students to see that the process really is doable and also extremely rewarding in the short and long run.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Back from the Boren orientation
Last night I arrived back in East Lansing from the two-day Boren orientation and convocation in Washington, D.C. It was the shortest yet busiest trip I think I've ever been on; the only down time I had was at the airport!
At the orientation I was able to meet other Boren scholars and fellows, meet Boren alumni, and have all my questions answered about the scholarship and the one-year congressionally mandated service requirement in the federal government. I also had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and several staffers!
I received a lot of great, solid advice from several leaders and alumni. If you want to work in the federal government, there are three things you have to do: get an internship, pass your security clearance, and network. The advice is simple but judging from the current careers of the Boren alumni, following that advice will make you successful. The orientation also served as a great networking opportunity; I received contact information from several people working in government and I plan on keeping in touch with them.
I was heavily spoiled during the event! NSEP paid for my hotel (which was two blocks away from the Capitol!), flight, meals, and even gave me a $100 stipend for additional meals and costs for public transportation.
Furthermore, I met a lot of very influential people. If anything the orientation taught me, is that I really do have a passion for public service. I am now even more excited to pursue a career in the federal government. The journey will be long and very stressful, and I will fail several times, but my life experiences have already taught me that the journey is more important and memorable than the goal.
Everything's so official!
At the orientation I was able to meet other Boren scholars and fellows, meet Boren alumni, and have all my questions answered about the scholarship and the one-year congressionally mandated service requirement in the federal government. I also had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and several staffers!
This is me with Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
I received a lot of great, solid advice from several leaders and alumni. If you want to work in the federal government, there are three things you have to do: get an internship, pass your security clearance, and network. The advice is simple but judging from the current careers of the Boren alumni, following that advice will make you successful. The orientation also served as a great networking opportunity; I received contact information from several people working in government and I plan on keeping in touch with them.
It was nice having the opportunity to visit the Capitol again!
I was heavily spoiled during the event! NSEP paid for my hotel (which was two blocks away from the Capitol!), flight, meals, and even gave me a $100 stipend for additional meals and costs for public transportation.
Furthermore, I met a lot of very influential people. If anything the orientation taught me, is that I really do have a passion for public service. I am now even more excited to pursue a career in the federal government. The journey will be long and very stressful, and I will fail several times, but my life experiences have already taught me that the journey is more important and memorable than the goal.
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