Please describe any travel or experiences that have prepared you for the Global Engineering RAP. This can include international travel and study abroad or any travel or experiences within the US that have showed you new perspectives, cultures or languages. If you have not had the chance yet to travel, please share where you would like to travel and why. Living in Korea, having foster siblings from different countries, and traveling to Peru has given me a unique global view. One of the most memorable times of my life was when my family moved to South Korea for two years. At first, I experienced culture shock as I encountered subway systems that spread in every direction like underground spider webs. Seafood was the primary food offering since the country was a peninsula surrounded by water, and I tried squid and octopus for the first time. As we hiked in the beautiful green mountains, I was surprised the first time I saw an eighty-foot Buddha statue around a bend in the trail. I could only speak a few words in their native language of Hangul. The sound of it was as foreign to my ears as the writing system was to my eyes. As weeks and months passed, the sights, sounds, and smells that were once foreign became familiar and comfortable to me. The thing that stood out to me as I looked around was the kindness and warmth of the Korean people. They were the most family friendly society I have encountered. They were outgoing, wanting to meet me and take pictures with our family. South Koreans place great importance on their own families, honoring their ancestors and respecting their elders through their Chuseok festivities, which is similar to Thanksgiving in America. They celebrate the youngest members of society with Children’s Day. Couples wear matching outfits for a date and families carry balloons and stuffed animals through the zoo for their family outing. After some exposure to this culture, the unfamiliar became recognizable and endearing to me.

After returning from Korea, our family began foster care. Over the past six years, we have welcomed many kids within the foster system from countries such as China, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. It has been life-changing to learn about their languages, heritage, culture, and beliefs. Growing up in this kind of global environment where my family accepts and appreciates diverse cultures is a unique experience for which I am very grateful.

Another meaningful experience I had was going on a mission trip to Peru with my dad the summer I turned sixteen. We worked hard for a week to replace a playground for an orphanage. During this time, I not only worked on a cool project, but also interacted with these sweet kids. I loved playing with them and making them laugh and was humbled to see the joy that such a simple project gave them. Seeing firsthand how people of distinct cultures live and interact was eye-opening and transformative. During this trip, we also traveled to a tribal village in the Amazon rainforest When we arrived in the village, we were welcomed warmly. We tried their ethnic food, and they were very generous to give us some homemade clay bowls that have become a special keepsake from the trip.

I am very extroverted and thrive in environments where I can interact and collaborate with people who think differently than me. I am not intimidated when I am thrown into foreign environments that are completely unknown to me. Being put into a variety of different environments has been influential to me because it showed me the condition in which many people live. It also gave me a better view of my place in the world and what I have to offer. I am grateful for the opportunities and prosperity we enjoy in America. I feel passionate about using my future education and expertise to do something great for the world and to better other people’s lives.