Sabrina Chhorn

Last semester, I studied abroad at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. My Korean language skills were at best extremely foundational before departing for Korea. I was self-taught for a few years until I took my first formal Korean language course the semester prior to my abroad experience. Korea University took a lot of initiative in terms of integrating international students with domestic ones. I got to build relationships and bonds with Korean students, professors, and other international students alike through their buddy exchange program. My time abroad was my very first time traveling outside of the US, but luckily, I received a lot of support through TEAN, a partner program that helped guide me through the logistics, finances, and provided onsite support via their advisory team prior to and during my time in Korea. The bonds I built during my time in Korea are ones that I truly believe will last a lifetime, as I am still in contact with those I met and formed relationships with while there.  

Although my honors thesis is not focused on Korea specifically, I believe that my experience in a space with such a rich geopolitical history, and the education I received from my Korean professors about it, prepared me well for my future research on the ethics and economics of atrocity tourism. In the future, I hope to apply my international lens to a career in law so I can serve a plethora of diverse clients, whether that be internationally-based businesses or practicing international human rights law, I hope to use the cultural sensitivity and education I developed as a member of ISP to effectively serve clients.