“Having to meet and connect with a whole group of new people from dozens of cultures I had never previously interacted with in a new country gave me the courage to try new things I would ordinarily have been too scared to do, as well as explore my career path beyond what I had planned to do as an engineer,” Amarachi Elekeokwuri stated when asked how studying abroad benefited her.
Third-year biomedical engineering major with a minor in electrical engineering Amarachi Elekeokwuri studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea, this past spring semester through the GW Undergraduate Exchange program. Having never visited an Asian country before, she was interested in South Korea specifically because she was fascinated by how quickly they rose economically and their rapid technological advancements for such a small country.
The GW Undergraduate Exchange program fosters academic immersion via direct enrollment in one of forty higher education exchange partners worldwide. The School of Engineering & Applied Science (GW Engineering) has a partnership with Korea University (KU) to support a unique exchange opportunity for undergraduate students studying engineering or computer science.
“I chose Korea University because it is one of the top three universities in South Korea, and their exchange program was highly rated with lots of opportunities for cultural immersion for exchange students. I have no regrets on that front,” Elekeokwuri said.
To help make studying at KU possible, GW Engineering exchange students are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend from the Simon and Anna Lee Foundation. Elekeokwuri said this covered the cost of her housing in Seoul for the entire semester and allowed her to have many more experiences in and outside of the city; for example, she traveled to the beautiful Jeju Island for a long weekend before finals.
Elekeokwuri’s advisors at GW Engineering, specifically Professor Jason Zara, helped her plan her class schedule around studying abroad to ensure she is still on track to graduate on time, even though she came into GW without any transfer credits. They were also very flexible with allowing her to take a required class virtually at GW while abroad. Her courses at KU afforded her the opportunity to experience how engineers think and operate outside of America, which will benefit her in solving global issues through engineering during her professional career.
“Professors at Korea University provided very hands-on knowledge of the possible career and practical applications of the classes I was taking, so I had a much better understanding of why I was taking them beyond their theoretical applications in the classroom,” Elekeokwuri stated.
In addition to direct enrollment at a prestigious institution, exchange programs offer an enriching cultural experience and are highly recommended for students who are prepared to engage independently in their host institution abroad. This immersive experience is exactly what Elekeokwuri desired in a study abroad program. At KU, she took a Dynamics of Korean Society class in English to help her understand more about Korean society in general.
One of Elekeokwuri’s most unforgettable memories was touring the Demilitarized Zone at the border of North and South Korea. She got to explore one of the underground infiltration tunnels built by the North Korean military following the Peace Treaty to get into Seoul while learning about the history of the war and how it still affects the citizens of both countries today.
An added perk of studying abroad is how easy it is to hop from one country to another. The ability to do this gave Elekeokwuri her second most unforgettable memory, a weekend solo trip from Seoul to Tokyo, Japan. In Tokyo, she explored Akihabara, the largest anime and gaming center in Japan.
“Overall, studying abroad gave me the opportunity to define myself beyond what I am already known for and explore my talents beyond what is already expected of me,” Elekeokwuri stated.
Do you think studying abroad in a GW Undergraduate Exchange program is right for you, too? Contact the GW Office for Study Abroad to learn more and hear what Elekeokwuri has to say to any fellow GW Engineering students considering it below.
“Do it! I have no cons to this experience and would definitely do it all over again. Do not be scared to visit a non-English speaking country and explore financial opportunities within and outside of GW. Talk to your advisors and plan ahead the best you can to ensure you take the right classes, and you’ll be all good to go,” said Elekeokwuri. “Engineering is pretty much the same worldwide, but having the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty with students from other countries is invaluable.”