Alfredo Levi, a Gastronomy student, won a scholarship to study for a semester at Hally University in South Korea.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
The moment I found out that there were international programs was when they didn't give the tour of the school the first week of school (if I remember correctly). There was a moment where they talked to us about going to study in another country.
When you entered your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad?
Yes, the moment I found out that there were study abroad programs I thought, I want to go and I'm going to do it.
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?Yes, I studied my first year of high school in the United States.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
Eating, tasting the gastronomy of a country that was not my own. The experience of living in a place where they did not speak Spanish and being able to live with people of different nationalities.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Because it is a country where they do not speak Spanish, it seemed very different from what I am used to, not only because of the language, but also because of the culture. I wanted to try Korean barbecue and what better place than in Korea. Besides, I found the facilities of the university very nice.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
Excitement, it was my first plane ride and it was to another continent. Even though I had no idea how to get to the city where I would be, I was excited even for that. I flew alone, carrying two heavy suitcases (suitcases without wheels), a ten kilos backpack, in winter time and in a strange country; that was what made me so excited, besides the possibility of getting lost because I didn't know where I had to get to.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
The university assigned me a Korean classmate to help me during my stay. When I didn't know which truck to take I made a Messenger call to him to talk to the ticket lady. In order to make it easier to say her name I just call her John (a very nice person). The first Korean food I tried was with him, and when I had doubts about the names of the dishes he solved my doubts.
What will you miss most about Mexico?
Tacos, tortillas and a wide variety of hot sauces.
What about the Uni?
Days in the kitchen. Going out at night and meditating while riding the truck back home.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
There are some very exciting things, but I'll pick one that may not be as exciting as others, but it's great. This was the time I ran a half marathon (21Km). I hadn't run for about 5 years, but I decided to enter. The first training I ran 10km in breaks, got injured and had to rest for about nine days. The second training I ran 15km without stopping and I got injured again (I realized it was because of the type of shoes, so I changed to running shoes), I rested more time and with two weeks to go I ran for the third time, but I could only run 5km. In the span of two weeks I trained three more times where in my sixth training session I managed the 21km and 5 days later I ran the race (I was still hurt, but I could finish it without stopping) and after I finished I could barely walk, but I had an incredible satisfaction that not even the pain could take that smile off my face.
And the hardest part?
In my first week in Korea I went to buy groceries alone, at the time of paying I wanted a bag, but I didn't know how to explain to the cashier I tried and after a while she could understand me and now she was trying to tell me that I had to pay for the bag (I felt very nervous) in the end I understood and got my bag. Now I am not even ashamed to talk all bad trying to explain what I want.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this program?
To keep as many unforgettable experiences as possible.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
Absolutely. Because it is not the same to go to a country to vacation than to live and be closer to the people of that culture.
