Junior elementary education major Gariel Pierce is excited to be studying abroad in South Korea June 25 to July 15 of this year. Although Pierce has been given the opportunity to study abroad before, this is the first time the program fit in her four-year plan.
“My sophomore year, I was accepted to study abroad in Ireland for the first semester of my junior year,” Gariel said. “My academic advisors and my teachers talked me out of it because my major is education, and education is very competitive in Illinois.”
Pierce had always excelled in school, she played and worked hard for her sports as well as her work program position in the Lumpkin Learning Commons. “I told myself that maybe there would be other opportunities to study abroad at a more reasonable and fitting time. My time finally came when I opened the announcements to see the opportunity to study abroad in South Korea over the summer. I thought to myself, this is perfect for a girl like me. I can study abroad and learn a totally new language and culture and not miss a semester of school,” said Pierce.
In Pierce’s essay to apply, she explained how the opportunity could not get any more perfect for her. Pierce is from Springfield, Illinois, and has never really gotten out on her own much. For three weeks she will be staying at a University in South Korea learning about the fashion, food and language of the culture.
“It’s a three week program, so each day I will be learning something new, but we spend the whole day learning it. It will be very hands on, and I will get a lot of opportunity to visually learn.” said Pierce.
Pierce explained that she is most excited for experiencing a new culture. “The distance that will… help me become more independent. And certainly the language. Those are what I am most excited for.”
