Ignacio Gama won the Uni International Scholarship to study in South Korea.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, I found out since I asked for reports to enter the race.
Did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
No, I thought that there were going to be many obstacles and that the competition was going to be strong.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
No, never.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
To get to know new customs, cultures and meet people from different countries.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because it was one of the two countries where I would have to practice my English skills and learn about other cultures.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
I felt nervous, because I was the only Mexican who arrived separately and I had no one to talk to at first, and no one to ask for help if I got lost. But those nerves went away as soon as I left the airport.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
Very good. The university helped me since I arrived there, because I arrived there has a volunteer student program called "buddies of Hallym", in which the students of the university help you before you arrive to the country, since they wait for you in the arrival halls of the airport so you don't leave alone, since the university is almost 3 hours away from the airport. They also help you with the loading of your materials and the arrangement of your room.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
The food was what I missed the most, also the warmth of us Mexicans, both friendly countries, but in a different way. I also missed my own room in terms of privacy, as I had never shared a room with anyone else.
What about the Uni?
I didn't miss so many things about Uni since I was sure that I would be back and that not many things would change so radially. What I did miss was being able to talk with the teachers and with my classmates and with the university in general.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
All in all it was an experience that I do not regret, but if I have to choose 3 moments, they would be learning to ski in the snow, traveling to Busan with some friends and being able to go to a friend's farm and being able to spend time with his family and prepare a typical dish called "Kimchi".
And the hardest part?
To say goodbye to all the friends I made throughout the semester, because unfortunately we were all from places that were not 2 hours away. And I don't know when I will be able to see them again.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
Growing in both aspects and in being more culturally empathetic. It also gave me a greater sense of competitiveness than we are used to at Uni.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Of course, experiences like these are unique and I don't think anyone has ever regretted them. From long programs such as Semester Abroad to short programs such as "hands around the world".
Thank you very much!
