For Juli Avila, a fourth-year communications student at Cal State Fullerton, studying abroad was a dream of hers for several years.
Her interest in studying abroad was first sparked in community college when her counselor introduced the life-changing opportunity to visit another country, earn academic credit and gain career insight.
“The moment she mentioned that idea, there was no turning back,” said Avila.
Avila’s decision to study abroad gained momentum after transferring to CSUF. Through meeting with study abroad advisers on campus, she discovered the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which offers the Critical Need Language Award.
Gilman applicants who are studying a critical need language abroad can apply for this supplemental award. Avila applied and received the Critical Need Language Award and the CSU International Programs Scholarship.
Her country of choice to study abroad was South Korea.
“South Korea is a specifically developed country and takes pride in its accomplishments. That passion has spread worldwide and inspired people to visit and learn more about its culture,” said Avila. “A few years ago, I attended an exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art called ‘The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art.’ That exhibit felt like a breath of fresh air and gave me a glimpse of Korea’s vibrant history in the art world.”
Avila aspires to work in event planning or social media outreach for Korean art museums. With over 100 museums in Seoul, she is excited about the endless opportunities.
In South Korea, Avila is studying at Yonsei University, one of the country’s three most prestigious institutions. With a domestic acceptance rate below 5%, it is a highly sought-after school both by locals and study abroad students. It ranks within the top 20 universities in Asia. At Yonsei University, Avila is taking Korean language courses as well as art history and heritage electives.
“Since I have already finished my major and minor requirements, I wanted a chill year to enjoy courses I could not take back home,” said Avila.
She’s also focused on connecting with professors and getting advice on future museum careers. She said that anything she can learn from them will be a highlight of her study abroad experience.
For students looking to study abroad, Avila and CSUF Study Abroad and Global Engagement offer a few pieces of advice:
- Attend an info session. This is the first step in every CSUF student’s global journey. Led by CSUF students and advisers, students will receive a thorough introduction to general study abroad options and processes. Students can sign up for these sessions on the CSUF Study Abroad and Global Engagement website.
- Speak to a study abroad adviser. Programs and scholarships are available for every major at CSUF. The process of finding one may seem daunting, but advisers are there to help navigate students’ specific questions.
- Stay confident when applying for scholarships. “I did not receive the first scholarship I applied for, but I learned from my mistakes and kept applying,” said Avila. When writing her essay for the Critical Need Language Award, she opened up about how learning a new language has always been a struggle for her, but she didn’t want those fears to prevent leaving her comfort zone. Her goal was not to become fluent in Korean by the end of the program, but to master the basics and continue learning after returning home. This confidence and honesty contributed to her receiving the grant.
- Always be aware of deadlines.
- Students should have someone else read their essay and provide feedback.
“Whatever happens, there are resources out there for you. You got this,” said Avila.
To learn more about study abroad opportunities for Cal State Fullerton students, visit the CSUF Study Abroad and Global Engagement website.