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Since high school, I’ve been dreaming about going abroad and exploring the world. I always knew I wanted to go to Korea, though I feared I wouldn’t be able to come out of my comfort zone and seize every opportunity abroad. After I enrolled in the �鶹ӳ��, I wanted to find a program that allowed me to connect with other foreigners as well as locals and dive deeper into the Korean culture. After going back and forth between programs, I applied for the University Studies Abroad Consortium , Korea program at  (KU).

I was initially drawn to this program because of their  program, or KUBA. It’s works by pairing you up with other students, so by the start of classes, you have a friend on the inside to show you the ropes.  Little did I know, this program would help me make the most of my time abroad.

As a first-gen student, my second obstacle was making friends abroad. I was worried about fitting in with the other exchange students since I was already considered a part of the minority back home. Through KUBA, I had the opportunity to connect with not just other foreigners, but with local Korean students as well.

One of the first events KUBA had was a welcoming party to get to know the rest of our assigned groups. Luckily, I was assigned to the best KUBA group there was, Group 4. The leader was Sehun, an engineering student at KU. Our KUBA buddies were Vicky, an English major and Gaeum, a business major at KU. By the end of my program, they became some of my greatest friends in Korea. At this party, I also met a person who would become my best friend, Noemi, another student studying through USAC.

We went to other events all semester. There was a field day where we played some sports games against other KUBA groups. At the end of our day, our KUBA buddies brought out water guns, which turned into a big water fight against the other groups. Afterward, we all went out for dinner.

Another event was an international student festival. Foreigners had the opportunity to represent their different countries and serve food to represent our culture. By far, this was my favorite event.  I tabled for Mexico with my friend Noemi and we created piñatas. We won an award for the best attraction!

With KUBA, we also had the opportunity to go to the top of the Lotte Tower and walk along the bridge of Seoul’s highest tower. Watching the city lights light up the night in the fresh air in the summer was a moment I will never forget. KUBA made this moment possible for me.

Throughout the semester, we had a tradition to go out for lunch or dinner once a week to continue building our group’s bond. Over time, I got close with my buddies. We eventually went to two amusement parks, several historic palaces where we dressed up in traditional hanbok, a KUBA Halloween party, an aquarium, and attended all the Korea University and Yonsei rivalry games. Spoiler alert: KU took the trophy home.

Most of my memories of my time abroad were possible because of KUBA. I wouldn’t have had the same cultural experience without my KU buddies. Whether I needed help going to the bank, making a doctor’s appointment, or even just wanting to hang out or grab a bite to eat, KUBA was there for me during my entire journey in Seoul.  They helped me not feel like I was a minority abroad, but to make me I feel as comfortable as I would be back home.

At the end of my time abroad, we had a farewell party to say our goodbyes to our KUBA groups. This was one of the hardest moments for me, as I had gotten close to my friends and buddies. We had dinner and drinks at the same restaurant where we held our welcome party, and this moment will forever be remembered. I had a journal for all my group to sign and photobooths with our buddies that I will cherish as a highlight of my time abroad.

My time in Seoul will forever have a special place in my heart and it wouldn’t have been the same without Sehun, Gaeum, Vicky, and the rest of KUBA.

Lesly Navarro Chavez is a fourth-year student majoring in neuroscience at the �鶹ӳ��. She loves to travel and explore the outdoors through hikes and camping. Lesly hopes to eventually work as a criminal profiler after graduating and gaining experience as a mental health technician.