Fanny Orozco from Digital Design, won the international scholarship to spend a semester at Hallym University in South Korea, here she tells us about her experience.
When you entered Uni did you know there were international programs?
Yes, I knew that and that was motivating.
When you started your career, did you think you would go to live and study abroad? To tell you the truth, no...... although I wanted and expected to have the opportunity, and it came very soon!
Have you ever lived or studied outside of Mexico before?
Never. This was the first time I went out of my country.
What prompted or motivated you to study in another country?
The curiosity to get to know another place that is completely different from Mexico. The teachers always pushed me to go beyond and look for opportunities to broaden our vision of the world.
Why did you decide to study in that country?
Well, because of the pandemic this University continued to receive foreign students and the Uni always supported me to be able to fulfill the requirements requested by Hallym University.
How did you feel when you arrived in the new country?
It was exciting and scary. Coming to a place where no one speaks your language, where you know absolutely nothing can be very shocking. It was difficult to communicate with people even with English because you could hardly understand them because of their accent.
I also think I still wasn't processing the fact that I was in another country and the fatigue and stress of such a long flight can make you a little cranky. But it's all worth it.
How have you been received at the university where you arrived?
I was very well received despite arriving in the country at midnight. They were always attentive if I needed anything.
What will you miss most about Mexico and UNI?
From Mexico it was the food, our gastronomy is the best in the world.
From UNI it's a little more difficult since I only made it through a semester and a half before quarantine started. I missed the Uniclubs a lot but will continue to participate.
What is the most exciting thing you have experienced so far in this experience?
I have two experiences: Watching the snow fall quietly and the next day seeing everything covered with snow. And visiting the border with North Korea and entering one of the incursion tunnels. It was fabulous and great to be so close to the other side and watch the scenery.
And the hardest part?
I insist with the food, it was not easy, even now that I have been living in Korea for half a year, also the time change; it is difficult to communicate with the family because when you go to sleep they wake up and vice versa.
What do you expect as a person and as a professional from this experience?
To have expanded my way of perceiving the world. I hope to be more responsible and independent since I had to fend for myself on many occasions. I also understood why my career is so attracted to this country.
Do you recommend these opportunities provided by Uni to your colleagues?
It's an opportunity worth living, even if it's only one semester in your professional career! Thank you Universidad de Celaya for supporting me in this great experience!