Hannah Rubinstein

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

I never thought I would want to live and work in Asia. One of the reasons I chose Korea for my study abroad experience was because I thought, "When else will I get the chance to live there?" However, after spending time in Korea, I am determined to live there again, or in another Asian country. I even met with some professionals in my field who moved to Asia, and I want to do the same. I aspire to have a global career.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

One of my goals and passions was exploring and understanding what it means to be Korean in Korea. Therefore, I made a significant effort to make Korean friends and ask them questions to understand their lives. We went to restaurants, cafes, museums, and cultural events—activities I normally enjoy, but with an added emphasis on cultural immersion.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

Korea is such a lively place, with amazing culture, historical elements, and food. You will never run out of unique things to do and will constantly find new spots. It’s also a very late-night city—you can go shopping at 1 a.m., and some stores are even open 24/7. There is incredible creativity in the spaces that are created, offering curated experiences that reflect Korean values. Additionally, the clean city, excellent public transportation, and safety add so much to the experience and ease of being in a new city. The CIEE program also provides tons of trips, activities, and opportunities to meet locals for free. I cannot recommend the experience enough!

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

Challenge yourself. Step outside your comfort zone. If you're wondering whether you should be adventurous and go to a country where you don’t know the language and haven’t learned much about, but have always had a desire to visit—go there! When else will you get the chance? Don’t go somewhere just because your friends are. Make your own choices and follow your own path. And if you are debating about going abroad—go. Don’t let FOMO stop you. You will never regret going abroad, but you will regret not going. Let your life be changed.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

As a white person in the homogenous society of Korea, I was clearly a foreigner. But I embraced it. I figured if I couldn’t fit in, I might as well stand out (while always being respectful). Because I was obviously a foreigner, people appreciated my efforts to learn Korean. Baristas would use gestures, making it easier for me to follow and understand what they were saying. If you are white at Tulane, you are probably used to being part of the majority. Try stepping into the minority. Although I can never fully comprehend what it means to be a person of color, I can still—and should—try to deepen my understanding.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

I did my service-learning abroad at an after-school boarding school, and it was my favorite experience of my whole time in Korea. I deepened my historical knowledge of Korea and its education system. I communicated with Korean children using my broken Korean, Papago (a translation app), gestures, and love. I also had the opportunity to meet former students and staff, all with different levels of English proficiency. In less than a week, I felt like I understood what being Korean is like outside of Seoul. Even the meals taught me about values, not to mention they were delicious.