Pratina Kandru
In the fall of 2023, Pratina, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology, traveled to South Korea to study at the University of Seoul. She shares why she chose to study abroad, favorite memories, and advice for future students.
Q: Why did you choose to study abroad?
A: I’ve always been interested in learning about different cultures—growing up, I consumed a lot of international media and loved studying new languages. However, most of my travel experiences were with my family, so I knew I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and experience the world on my own. Living in America can sometimes feel like being in a bubble, which made me eager to expand my global perspective and become more open to others and their different walks of life. This desire felt especially important both personally and professionally, since in business, you frequently collaborate with people from all around the world.
Naturally, studying abroad felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Poole makes the process super easy with its straightforward application and wide variety of destinations. It was a great way to achieve two things at once: traveling the world while also fulfilling my degree requirements. I was particularly drawn to studying abroad because it’s different from just traveling. You get to truly interact with locals and immerse yourself in the culture for an extended period of time. This is why, in my sophomore year, I decided to join Global Corps, a student organization that works closely with the Poole Global office to encourage students to study abroad. Through my involvement, I became familiar with the application process, and hearing my fellow club members’ stories about their experiences made it a no-brainer for me to also take the leap.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from studying abroad?
A: My most memorable experience while studying abroad was getting involved with a club at my host university. As exchange students, we had the opportunity to lead weekly topic discussion meetings with the native university students to help improve their English speaking skills. I loved coming up with interesting discussion topics each week because it allowed me to learn more about Korean culture and student life. Over time, I grew really close with my group through these discussions. At the end of the semester, on our last discussion day, my group surprised me with a cake and a gift to show their appreciation for my efforts. It was such a touching and special moment because, for me, leading these discussions was just a fun activity I looked forward to leading every week. I hadn’t realized the impact I was having on their English-speaking confidence until that moment. It’s a memory I’ll never forget, and the best part is that I’m still in touch with my group today.
Q: Where were you able to travel during your time abroad? What were some of your favorite things about your host city?
A: One unique thing about South Korea is that, compared to the U.S., it’s such a small country. It only takes about three hours to travel from one side to the other, whereas in North Carolina, I’d still be in the same state! Thanks to the accessible public transportation, I was able to visit several cities throughout South Korea. Most of the time, I stayed in Seoul because my host university was located right in the city, and there’s always so much to do in the capital. I went to some really fun themed cafes like an underwater aquarium café, a cat café, and even a sheep café. I also got to experience Korea’s rich culture by visiting temples, markets, spas, and of course, enjoying Korean barbecue. Karaoke is also a huge part of the culture there, so on weekends, you’d often find me singing my heart out at the karaoke booths. I even had the chance to wear a traditional Korean hanbok at the royal palace in Seoul. I loved how walkable the city was, and the food was absolutely delicious.
Q: How do you think studying abroad contributed to your future career goals and/or academics?
A: My time in Korea truly gave me a new perspective on the world. Most of my classes were with other exchange students, which not only allowed me to collaborate with people from different backgrounds, but also broadened my understanding of diverse cultures. As a fairly reserved person, this experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and as a result, I significantly improved my networking skills. Additionally, I developed important skills such as time management, problem-solving, and independence. Immersing myself in the language helped me become comfortable reading Korean, so I even gained a new language from the experience. Furthermore, since Korea is a more conservative country, it was fascinating to adapt to a culture that’s vastly different from my own. Overall, I learned so many soft skills that I know will be useful as I transition from college to the workplace. Because of this experience, I’m much more confident in myself and trust the decisions I make moving forward.
Q: What is a challenge you faced while abroad and how did you overcome it?
A: One challenge I faced abroad was adjusting to the culture. As I mentioned earlier, the culture is very different from what I’m used to as an American. On top of that, I was in a country with a completely different language and writing system. Naturally, the language barrier was tricky at first, but I found a supportive community of fellow American exchange students. We leaned on each other, which made the adjustment easier. Additionally, I used technology whenever possible and learned common phrases to help me navigate daily life. Koreans are very friendly to foreigners and understanding of our situation, which encouraged me to practice what I learned in my Korean class. I also sought help from people more advanced in the language so I could feel more comfortable. Moreover, I did a lot of preparation before arriving, researching cultural norms to help brace myself for the culture shock. All of this combined really helped me overcome the challenges I faced.
Q: What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
A: Make that appointment with Poole Global! It might seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, you won’t regret it. I had a lot of doubts myself, especially as a woman of color, when it came to safety and making friends. However, studying abroad is such a special opportunity, and you will find your community. Trust yourself, do your research, and you’ll be just fine.
Q: How have you stayed involved after studying abroad?
A: After returning from my life-changing experience abroad, I knew I wanted to encourage more people to take the leap and study abroad themselves. Upon coming back, I became even more deeply involved with Global Corps and participated in a study abroad panel where I discussed my experience specifically as an underrepresented student. My goal was to inspire others like me, showing them that studying abroad is within their reach too. Additionally, I wanted to help incoming exchange students adjust to life at NC State, knowing firsthand how challenging it can be to adjust to a new environment. This empathy drove me to apply for the role of Global Corps President when the opportunity arose. I was eager to expand and enhance the existing mentor/mentee program, believing it could make a real difference for future exchange students.