By: Kameiko Vue (Class of 2020) and Tonny Yang (Class of 2017 & 2019)
Kameiko’s Story
I took part in the South East Asia (SEA) study abroad program in the winter of 2017-2018. This study abroad trip included going to Laos, Thailand and Malaysia. I wanted to be a part of this trip because I wanted to explore the world and enrich myself in the culture, people and food. Because of this trip, I experienced riding on an airplane and traveling out of the country for the first time ever. Not to mention, I built ever lasting friendships with individuals that I will cherish forever.
Throughout my experience traveling abroad, I realized that I am much more privileged than other people. While in SEA, students traveled miles and miles just to get to school, some even riding motorcycles with 3-4 people, whereas most days I fought so hard just to drag myself to class.
The most important advice I’d like to give to students wanting to study abroad is: to seek challenges and be willing to put themselves in uncomfortable experiences to grow and learn through them
Check out some of Kameiko’s photos from Southeast Asia below:
Tonny’s Story
The programs that I took part of were the Laos, Thailand, Malaysia (LTM) short-term winter-break program of 2013 and 2018; the spring break program in South Africa of 2015 and 2018; a semester long program in Alnwick, England during the Fall of 2016; and another short-term summer program in China of 2018.
Why did I Study Abroad?: To see the world and to experience a life that was different from the one that I know. I wanted to learn more about others and to really find the meaning of what it means to be ‘alive’.
One thing I learned about myself: I am more similar to other people all over the world than I know it to be, so I can just sit back and listen to their lived experiences.
Advice for students: Before you go, check your ego and check your ‘United States Americanness’ because the world does not revolve around us
Check out Tonny’s photos from three continents and six countries:
About the series: HMoob (Hmong) around the World was brought to life to inspire, to ignite, and to reimagine the hope of education abroad opportunities for students in the near future. I hope you find courage, I hope you find strength, and I hope you study abroad. HMoob (Hmong) around the World will showcase a series of testimonials from HMoob alum who look like you, speak the same language as you, and may have experienced similar things as HMoob (Hmong) American college students. These are their education abroad stories.
This series is coordinated and edited by Sabrina Nkauj Nag Yang.