Introduction to a Traveler
photo from June 2017.)
Hello Everyone! My name is Kelsea Long. I am currently a senior at the University of Oklahoma majoring in International Studies with 3 minors. Throughout my time at OU, I have had the opportunity to study abroad 2 times. I chose to go to Seoul, South Korea each time. I started learning Korean at a young age, so I was able to adjust to Korean life very fast. During my stay there, I was not only a student, but I also worked at an NGO in marketing to help with North Korean defectors. This experience for me really changed my point of view because I was able to learn about other cultures while learning more about myself.
As soon as I turned 18, I did not know what to do with my life, I always followed what my friends were doing. But, when I first studied abroad, I wanted to take the time to learn what I wanted to do and what makes me happy. This drive helped me to see places like Japan and Taiwan. Every place that I have visited has become a part of who I am today.
Since my internship gave me more experience in marketing, I came back to Oklahoma with the drive to learn more about public relations and marketing. Shortly after arriving back home, I started work for the Paseo Arts Association. This experience really taught me what it means to be a part of the community.
As we start the new semester, I am off to travel the world (again). For the spring semester, I will study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. I am really excited to go there and see what German life and culture is like. After I get back from Germany, I hope to spend my last semester at OU preparing to enter the M.A. program at OU through the Journalism college.
I am very excited to get to know everyone in this class and learn more about Indian epics. It will be such great semester!
Hi Kelsea! That is crazy that you have three minors! I only have one major and I feel like I am already really stressed all the time. That is so cool that you have gotten to study abroad twice already. I have always wanted to study abroad but have never had the time to insert it into my schedule. I say that I love travelling but I never get to go anywhere. I hope you have fun in Germany!
ReplyDeleteIt is so cool that you are taking this class FROM Germany, Kelsea! Wow! Maybe you can share some of those experiences by doing famous last words post this semester. I am so curious to hear what your German adventures will be! And it is also so exciting that you have traveled around Asia. There are some fascinating connections between Hinduism and Japan, for example; one of the images I added recently to my Indian images blog is about Hindu gods in Japan: Ganesha, Saraswati and Shiva in Japan and there is a cool video about that too: Buddhists in Japan have been praying to Hindu gods . I am glad that this class can add to your knowledge of the south Asian part of the world!
ReplyDeleteHello Kelsea! My name is Chelsea! I don't think I will forget your name anytime soon. I admire that you have 3 minors, that's awesome! What are your minors in? It is amazing that you were able to travel abroad. I hope to do that too, especially Korea! I have become more enthralled in the Korean culture lately. It is so cool that you learned how to speak Korean at a young age. I wish that when I go abroad, I am able to have a fulfilling trip like you. I am excited to read more about your blog! I hope you are having fun in Germany! It is a wonderful country to visit.
ReplyDeleteDr. Gibbs, I will definitely keep you updated with my travels. This class really stood out to me, so I decided to take on an extra class, even though I am studying abroad. I wanted to have more expose to Indian culture and have a chance to improve my creative writing before I graduate. I am honestly really excited to see what this semester will bring!
ReplyDeleteHey Chelsea! It is so cool how the end of your name ends like mine does (It is not that common). I am minoring in Non-Governmental Organizations, Asian Studies, and Global Energy, Environment, and Resources. I have worked a lot with NGOs and NPOs. I am hoping to continue my work in this field after graduation. As for Korea, you should go visit! South Korea is very accessible for foreigners because a lot of things are written in English and the transportation is great in Seoul. If you ever decide to go, I can give you recommendations. I have been to a lot of the cities over there.
Wow Kelsea, it sounds like your life has been pretty amazing! Getting to travel to all this places is an awesome experience I am sure! I have always wanted to try and study abroad. All my friends that have been able to go to places like Artezo so it is the coolest experience one could have as a student. I hope you have an amazing time in Germany and that that your semester is good to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelsea! It seems like you certainly picked the right degree path to coincide with your passions of traveling. I hope your semester is awesome in Germany! I never got the chance to study abroad, but I'm hoping to do some international externships in vet school. I've always heard such good things about studying abroad, I feel like it gives you a really unique perspective on the culture more than just taking a trip there!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelsea, it is nice to meet you! Wow, it is amazing that you are such a world traveler! If you ever go back to Asia, maybe you can visit my home country of the Philippines! :) That is so amazing that you studied abroad and worked simultaneously in South Korea twice! Did you enjoy Japan or Taiwan more or did you enjoy both countries equally? And now you are in Germany - that is fascinating! I hope you enjoy your semester there! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm quite jealous of your travel experiences! I've never been able to line up my school and work long enough to study abroad, and it sounds like you've had amazing experiences! And I'm even more jealous that you got to eat real Korean food two separate semesters.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a very normal thing to not know exactly what direction you're going in when you're 18. I took a lot longer than that before I decided to return to school. Have an amazing time in Germany!
Hey Kelsea,
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you travel so much! I've only been overseas once and wish I could go back someday. It's also really cool how many times you've studied abroad. That sounds like a very unique college experience and I'm sure the perspectives you've learned will help you stand out when you apply to the M.A. program!
Wow Kelsea! What an exciting college experience you've had! That is so lucky and incredible that you'll get to study abroad three times during your undergrad. South Korea must have been so cool, especially if you were there while they were preparing for the Winter Olympics. Germany will be another awesome adventure, and I hope your enjoying your time there!
ReplyDeleteHey Kelsea,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much studying abroad you have done!! That is so cool and I am extremely jealous. I have always wanted to study abroad but have never been able to get the logistics worked out. I also think it is awesome that you have found a passion and are pursuing it. On another note, it is cool that you are participating in this class from Germany. Have a great semester!
Hello Kelsea. You have traveled abroad quite a bit. Currently I have only traveled outside the United States to Canada. It is not much different from the US. This summer I am currently planning on traveling to Addis Ababa, Ethopia to work with a nonprofit, Splash. I wish you the best of luck with your semester and look forward to your stories.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelsea! Wow! Studying abroad twice, well I guess now three times! That is insane, but I am so jealous! Unfortunately, I am a homebody so I am not a big traveler. The idea always sounds fun and I enjoy it while I am gone, but a day later, I am definitely ready to be home! Have fun in Germany this semester and best of luck!
ReplyDeleteHello Kelsea!
ReplyDeleteTravelling is fun and especially in other countries where you get to learn so many new things and meet new people. I like travelling and I have not been to any country beside India and Canada. I hope someday I can travel as much as I want. I am senior too at OU and I will be graduating next fall semester. Good luck in your semester and have fun in Germany.
Hi Kelsea!
ReplyDeleteYour experience in South Korea sounded incredibly eye-opening. I would love to hear more about that. What are your three minors in? I also love traveling but I have never been to an Asian country other than my parents' motherland, Bangladesh. I will add Korea to my bucket list! Best of luck with your last semester at OU! I look forward to reading more of your stories.
Hello Kelsea!
ReplyDeleteI'm very jealous that you've gotten to travel abroad so much. I studied abroad in the Fall of 2016 in Italy and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Living in a different country definitely teaches you more about yourself! I love Japanese culture, and hope to also visit one day soon. It's crazy that you have 3 minors! You must be pretty busy. I just recently got my minor in IAS and am super happy to have it. I hope you have a good last few days of the semester!
Hi there Kelsea, it's nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteAll of your travels sound so awesome! I've only ever traveled in the states, so your trips out of the country sound so fun and exotic! Korea and Germany are two very different cultures, so I imagine those have been much different travel experiences. I hope you have enjoyed them, and good luck in your future studies and travels!
Hello, nice to meet you Kelsea!
ReplyDeleteI just got finsihed up reading your introduction! I agree that traveling is one of the most exciting and fun things to do! Whenever I get the chance to go somewhere I do. I am trying to make the most of my free time while I am still in college and not working day to day.
Hello Kelsea! It is really cool to see that you like to travel so much. I wish I could travel more myself. It sounds like studying abroad in South Korea was an amazing experience for you seeing as you went there twice. It must have been a really informative experience working to help defectors like you did. It probably gives you a whole new perspective on their situation and makes me wonder what your opinion is on the new peace talks between North and South Korea.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelsea! Congrats on reaching the end of senior year! How amazing that you were able to not only study abroad, but you were about to really be emerged in the culture and language. I imagine by now, you are finishing up your time in Germany. I am certain it has been an amazing experience. Best of luck on the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelsea!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you have gotten to go on so many study abroads and travel so much. My one goal when I came to OU was to spend a semester abroad but unfortunately with major changes and travel costs I was unable to do that so I am impressed that you have gone so many places. I hope you are having a great time in Germany and have safe travels.
Hi Kelsea. Wow, it sounds like you've already lived quite a life! Getting to have experience with North Korean defectors sounds like such a crazy and cool experience. I hope that you get to travel more throughout life and good luck on finishing up school next year!
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