Genesis

Hello! I’m Genesis and I am a senior studying psychology with a minor in international studies. I love traveling, finding new food spots, and taking pictures of any beautiful views.

Where did you study abroad?

Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan Summer 2024 and Seoul, South Korea Spring 2025

What is Your Favorite Memory from Your Time Abroad?

My favorite memory was going snow boarding for the first time on Mountain Ellisian in Korea! When I went during the spring semester, Korea was still experiencing a lot of snow falls and I loved seeing the city lights and country side under the snow falls!

How Has Studying Abroad Helped Your Personal and Professional Life?

Studying abroad had a significant impact on me personally, which later has influenced my professional growth. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that my strive for absolute perfection wasn’t always the best mindset, especially when starting something new. When I first was learning how to be independent I tried to always get things right the first time. I placed immense pressure on myself and would get upset if I didn’t understand right away. However, I learned that it is okay to not understand or know everything immediately. It was okay for me to step back, breathe, and give myself the space to soak in my environment. I didn’t have to be perfect from the start and learning at a slower peaceful pace was best for building my confidence. Now, I feel more comfortable implementing this mindset in school and other new experiences I have gone through.

What Advice Can You Offer to Students Interested in Studying Abroad?

I would advise students who might feel overwhelmed with the entire idea of studying abroad to take a deep breathe and break up the idea into pieces. For most, the process starts with researching, reaching out to students and faculty, and just exploring the different areas of studying abroad. With a slower approach it might help reduce stress and give you space to really think about what you want out of the experience. Everyone who has studied abroad and currently applying have all gone through the initial process of exploring and trying to understand everything, so know that it is okay to feel lost and anxious. Just stay curious, stay open minded, and take the process step by step.

You can email Genesis at rodriguezg23@students.ecu.edu to learn more about her experience!