Education Abroad
Meet Elvira Paredes, Our Education Abroad Ambassador!
Meet Elvira
- Major: Business Administration - Concentration: Management and International Business
- Exchange Program:
- Summer 2017, South Korea - Kookmin University (as a Hartnell College student)
As scared as you might be, this next chapter in your life is full of memorable experiences that you will look back on for the rest of your life, so look forward to being afraid.
Her Experience Abroad
The full experience of studying abroad is truly magical. Not only do you enhance your educational journey, you are lucky enough to immerse yourself into this new culture in every way possible. This is what stuck with me the most because the only way to make the most out of an experience like this is to go all the way in appreciating what the country has to offer. I enjoyed the rich culture introduced to me, the extravagant cuisine, and the daily life of any normal person living in that city. All of the little things I encountered were truly what made my trip the most memorable. For example, the crazy bus drivers, not knowing how to order a specific food, and getting lost, to name a few.
Advice for future #StudyAbrOtters:
Pre-departure
It's ok to be afraid. Studying abroad is no easy step to take, so the fact that you chose to take this next step in your life is very admirable. It was my first time to ever travel alone, so as the day got closer to departure, I became extremely nervous of what was to come. As scared as you might be, this next chapter in your life is full of memorable experiences that you will look back on for the rest of your life, so look forward to being afraid. This is what gets you out of your comfort zone, and that nervousness building up will build your future self and layer that foundation you need to grow into the best version of yourself later on.
In-country
Get comfortable going off campus. Yes, you are going abroad to ‘study’ and focus on your classes, but do not get so caught up in your work that you miss out on all the fun activities. Everyday is a new opportunity to explore someplace or something new. Be open to new experiences. Typically, your host country has a very different culture compared to the United States, so try to be as open as you can. This can be affiliated with food, traditional practices, or social norms you may not be familiar with. Either way, immerse yourself into doing what the locals do to truly grasp that sense of belonging in your host country.
Elvira's Future Plans:
I am studying Business and have a concentration in Management and International Business, so my ultimate goal is to pursue a managerial role at a large corporation in a different country. I speak five different languages, so a position that requires a lot of travelling would be ideal. I would also enjoy spending a couple of years teaching English in multiple countries that need that sort of educational support.
Apart from languages, another passion of mine is diving into the history of World War 2 and the 1940s. I am quite fond of the decade’s music and fashion, so another dream of mine is to create my own brand of vintage-inspired clothing. The future has endless doors of opportunity, so only time will tell what will come my way as I continue building my future.