Photo of John  Curtis Kaleel John Curtis Kaleel John Curtis Kaleel

John Curtis Kaleel

CSOM’24

Photo of John  Curtis Kaleel

Over the course of four months there, I’ve grown to have a love for the country, its people, and culture. The friends I’ve made here are truly important to me, and we all still keep in touch regularly. I not only deepened my understanding of Buddhism academically, but it turned into something applicable beyond just academic interests. Furthermore, I also gained knowledge of myself that I previously did not know I had: confidence and a real openness to differences and new experiences. Thank you Fung Scholars for aiding me in this journey! Words can not adequately express how grateful I am.

Major:                         Finance & Management & Philosophy 

Hometown:                Saint Petersburg, FL

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023       

Country:                     Nepal

Program:                   BC in Kathmandu: Center for Buddhist Studies at RYI

Memorable Experience:

First arriving in Nepal, it definitely took some time adjusting to everything. Beingthrown into a completely different culture, language, and people was quite a little shockto me at first. It took probably a few weeks to a month to feel fully “normal” orcomfortable as a person living there. Luckily, just about all the people I encounteredwere incredibly welcoming, and the environment was also not too hard to adjust to. Ialso want to point out that I lived with my host family: Omkar, Muna, and their kids. Atfirst it was awkward living in someone else’s home and family, but they were some ofthe nicest, most welcoming people I’ve met. It was not long until I felt like I was part ofthe family, sharing meals, having conversations, and meeting the various other familymembers as well.

Photo of Aaliyah  Pina Aaliyah Pina Aaliyah Pina

Aaliyah Pina

MCAS’25

Photo of Aaliyah  Pina

I had previously been interested in South Korean popular culture through the Hallyu Wave, like K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty. It was only in living there that I was able to understand that South Korean society is filled with so complexities that a 4-month study abroad could not even scratch the surface of the lived experience of South Korean people.

Major:                         Economics & Pol Econ & Dev Studies          

Hometown:                Boston , MA

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023       

Country:                     South Korea   

Program:                   Sogang University

Memorable Experience:

Early on, I planned with one of my new friends to learn more about South Korea but in a low-stakes environment– whenever we wanted to and at our own pace. We decided on going to history and art museums in Seoul– “museum runs” we called it. As theseasons changed and class obligations got more intense, these museum runs were the mostboring thing I could have ever imagined doing outside of studying, however, having a time andplace to de-stress, especially when you’re a long ways away from home, taught me a lot aboutmyself without all the hubris of daily routined life. I learned to enjoy being alone and moreimportantly that you don’t need to have a plan to visit all the most popular places and takepictures but that you can simply enjoy without having any expectations.

Photo of Syndey  Synder Syndey Synder Syndey Synder

Syndey Synder

MCAS’25

Photo of Syndey  Synder

I came away from the internship with improved work skills, new friends, and a desire to explore more of the world. I am so grateful that I was chosen to be a Fung Scholar, as it gave me the opportunity to have this experience. To anyone who is considering studying or interning abroad but is worried about being able to afford the trip, consider the Fung Scholars program or other scholarships and grants because the experience abroad is invaluable.

Major:                         Biology  

Minor:                         Management &Leadership           

Hometown:                Lahaina, HI

Period Abroad:          Summer 2023       

Country:                     Japan    

Program:                   International Summer Internships: Tokyo

Memorable Experience:

I spent the summer in Tokyo, Japan interning at a company that specializes in recruiting health professionals for pharmaceutical and medical device companies. This experience was amazing because it helped me strengthen my communication skills and professionalism, gain work experience, and learn more about Japanese culture. 

I worked on four different teams over the two month internship period. The advisors that I worked under came from a diverse array of countries - India, Singapore, Australia, etc. - which taught me to adapt to the work style for each new boss. Going into this internship I did not know I would be working with such a global team and it was amazing to hear a little about everyone’s backgrounds and how they ended up working in Japan

Photo of My-Kieu  Quang My-Kieu Quang My-Kieu Quang

My-Kieu Quang

CSON’25

Photo of My-Kieu  Quang

I gained experiences that extended beyond my profession and future career, though it doesnot “fit” into my curriculum, it has enriched it.

Major:                         Nursing 

Hometown:                Saint Peters, MO

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023       

Country:                     Vietnam

Program:                 SIT Vietnam: Culture Social Change and Development

Memorable Experience:

One of the best decisions that I have ever made. Studying abroad was much more than traveling to a new country and immersing yourself in the culture and traditions, for me, it was returning home. Studying abroad allowed me to study in the country I was born in, see my external family again, and reconnect with my roots. As a heritage student, it was an emotional experience that was once in a lifetime.

Photo of Mishal  Khan Mishal Khan Mishal Khan

Mishal Khan

CSOM’24

Photo of Mishal  Khan

Being the only Boston College student to be in this program, I was pretty nervousabout making meaningful connections in one semester. Safe to say, my nerves subsided prettyquickly as my time in Sharjah became the best 5 months of my life.

Major:                         Management & Information Systems          

Hometown:                Silver Spring, MD

Period Abroad:          Spring 2023       

Country:                     United Arab Emirates   

Program:                   American University of Sharjah

Memorable Experience:

In class, I learned about Emirati culture, Islam, the history of the Middle East, and luxury marketing. My marketing class was especially relevant as my professor worked for ChalhoubGroup (one of the biggest privately held luxury goods retailers and distributors in the world). I got valuable knowledge on the luxury marketplace and was paired with a mentor from thecompany.
Besides this, I was able to grow independently and socially through the field trips theprogram took us on and the weekend excursions I had with friends. Some of my favorites includegoing to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, traveling to Turkey and Oman for a week, quadbiking, and having dinner by the Burj Khalifa. The UAE’s rich culture and hospitality are unlikeany I have seen before and made me reflect on how different the States are. There is anappreciation for work-life balance.

Photo of Susanna  Bond Susanna Bond Susanna Bond

Susanna Bond

MCAS’25

Photo of Susanna  Bond

The Fung Scholarship allowed me to do all of this. I could not have even dreamed ofspending a month in Korea free to pursue my interests without the help of the Fung Scholars Program. In first lifting the financial barrier to my study abroad, the Fung Scholarship gave me permission to then remove other barriers to my experiences, such as I have described, and I am exceptionally grateful to the Fung Program for its generosity.

Major:                         International Studies & Music          

Hometown:                Prescott, AZ

Period Abroad:          Summer 2023       

Country:                     South Korea   

Program:                   Summer - Contentious History and the Politics of Contemporary Korea

Memorable Experience:

I enjoyed the time I was able to spend simply following my curiosity, which led me to complete my final project on the lack of green spaces within the city of Seoul.I firmly believe that not doing extensive research allowed me to experience Korea to a broader and deeper extent than I would have had I created boundaries for my experiences through expectations. I value both the direct experiences I had in Korea and the meta-experience of having those experiences without expectations. In an increasingly interconnected and artificially- informed world there are fewer and fewer opportunities to savor the novel, to receive the shock of perspective the novel imparts on the known, and to test the limits of experience firsthand instead of stopping where one anticipates boundaries to exist.

Photo of Renzo  Chunga Renzo Chunga Renzo Chunga

Renzo Chunga

CSOM

Photo of Renzo  Chunga

This environment, in a university setting, in a captivating city, was a hub for cultural exchange. I personally made deep connections with both international and domestic students, some who I can call lifetime friends. Exploring an unknowncity, vulnerable, far away from home, alone, with many doubts, united us.

Major:                         Finance & Management   

Minor:                        Asian Studies         

Period Abroad:          Spring 2023        

Country:                     South Korea   

Program:                    Sogang University

Memorable Experience:


I gained insight, knowledge, and appreciation from my experiences abroad. Through myuniversity courses, I was challenged by rigorous and thought provoking courses. I especiallyenjoyed a class on the International Business Environment; the professor was passionate aboutthe course, which focused on concepts and the history of international trade. Also, I was able tolearn in particular about South Korea's economy, its role in global exchange, and how they areimpacted by certain global economic factors. In this and in other courses, I appreciated timeswhen the professor would interject with comments specific to South Korea’s economy or laws.Additionally, I was impressed by the academic rigor of students, which I came to understand as Iwitnessed the university and job climate in Seoul.

Photo of Asal  Fakhridinova Asal Fakhridinova Asal Fakhridinova

Asal Fakhridinova

MCAS’25

Photo of Asal  Fakhridinova

This has truly been the most enlightening and culturally enriching experience I've ever had. From the moment I arrived, I consistently felt welcomed and embraced by the community. The international exchange office at AUS has made it their priority to ensure that international students immerse themselves in Emirati culture, forge friendships with local students, and explore destinations frequently favored by locals. Every other weekend, we would have events or excursions that deepened our understanding of the culture and traditions of the UAE, bringing us closer to the local way of life. 

Major: Political Science & Business

Minor: Philosophy

Hometown:                Brooklyn, NY

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023       

Country:                     United Arab Emirates 

Program:                   American University of Sharjah

Memorable Experience:

From an academic perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed all the classes I took, and my professors greatly contributed to making my time at the university enjoyable. One of my classes, “History, Culture, and Society of the United Arab Emirates” provided us with invaluable insights into the past, present, and future trajectory of the UAE. Our professor went above and beyond by organizing out-of-class experiences for our class, such as visits to local museums, which enriched our understanding of history firsthand. Furthermore, my international relations class has deepened my understanding of global politics and provided me with the opportunity to learn from fellow students who hail from diverse corners of the world and have differing political perspectives.

Photo of Zack  Kaemmerlen Zack Kaemmerlen Zack Kaemmerlen

Zack Kaemmerlen

MCAS’25

Photo of Zack  Kaemmerlen

Embarking on a study abroad to Korea, I navigated an experience that was as much an inward and social journey as it was a geographic one. My time in Seoul has been an exercise in cultivating resilience, in finding equanimity amidst the flux of college and city life. In the company of friends from abroad and Korea alike, I enjoyed cultivating life-long friendships beyond the confines of language.

Major:                         Economics & Philosophy          

Hometown:                London, United Kingdom

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023        

Country:                     South Korea   

Program:                    Seoul National University

Memorable Experience:


Previously, I had always thought that verbal communication was a quintessential component of any friendship… my time in Seoul has taught me otherwise, with skills such as cultural and communicative malleability as well as holding an open perspective showing to be much more appropriate and effective. My time abroad in Korea has been a great adventure constituting much growth on an individualistic level as well as an interpersonal one. I have gotten closer to my goals of living the stoic lifestyle, appreciating, and making the most out of any situation. Having spent much time on campus as well as the city, I felt very privileged to have been able to make Korean friends and exchange ones alike.

Photo of Andrea  Rhee Andrea Rhee Andrea Rhee

Andrea Rhee

LSEHD’25

Photo of Andrea  Rhee

There is a certain essence to life in Asia that is truly unique and not like anything I had ever witnessed – seeing the different environments that people call home and navigating cultural norms was truly informative and offered me the opportunity to become more independent.

Major:                         Applied Psychology and Global Public Health          

Hometown:                Haymarket, VA

Period Abroad:          Fall 2023       

Country:                     Singapore    

Program:                   National University of Singapore

Memorable Experience:

My time in Singapore was incredibly transformative and enlightening in various different aspects. I was able to meet people from all around the world, as well as engage with various cultures not only because of travel outside of Singapore, but also within because of the multi-cultural nature of the country. I had the opportunity to travel to six different countries, challenging myself to engage with and learn about the unique cultures, histories, and traditions of each country in Asia. 

My classes, particularly Public Health in Action, which was focused on health interventions in Singapore, and Asia and the Modern World, which studied the intricate relationships of different communities in Asia across history that contributed to the culmination of today’s global relationships, were a central part in allowing me to learn about the applications of public health, psychology, and history within the context of Asia which differed significantly from those in the context of the U.S.