Hello everyone,
My name is Marlene Cabada.
I am a first gen student attending college currently finishing up my third year. One more year to go and I decided to spend the spring semester of my junior year abroad.
It has always been a dream of mine ever since I entered into my university. I had heard many amazing and life changing experiences and opportunities from those who had done an exchange program in the past, and it has always motivated me to become the next. This wasn’t an easy decision. I had many doubts as this was a very lengthy process. It required a ton of commitment and dedication. I almost gave up many times throughout but, ultimately, I reminded myself as to why I wanted this. To which I would jump back onto my feet and continue on until I reached my final destination.
I was moving towards this study abroad dream of mine for roughly 2 years. Since I was a freshman was when I started to take action. I started planning what classes I would take before I left, making sure I was good on credits and took all the required core courses ahead of time, and meeting up with my advisor and professors on creating a good design portfolio to submit. Applying for various scholarships on a daily basis. Writing countless essays and attending virtual interviews for almost each one. Aching wrists while trying to reach the deadlines and word limit of each essay required.
I never thought I would see an end to it. However, miraculously, I started winning scholarships left and right. I was not expecting those outcomes. I was hit with a wave of relief. I knew money played a huge role in being able to fund your study abroad, especially for a semester. Funding was one of the biggest component that gave me doubts in being able to go through with it as it was not guaranteed that I would receive any funding towards my program.
However, in the end, before my departure, I ended up receiving over $18,000 worth in scholarship money to be used towards all my study abroad expenses.
I did not think someone like me could achieve this outcome. I was and still am eternally grateful as I do not come from a family with good stable income. I did not want to burden my parents with helping fund for my study abroad as they were already paying for my degree. I needed to take matters into my own hands, and I was over the moon that I had the power and abilities to achieve a huge accomplishment like this one.
As stressful as this journey was, I am very lucky and grateful to have had such a good support system from friends and family. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today. They all believed in me. Which made me believe in myself too.
The months flew by fast and before I knew it, it was already February 27th, 2025 2:30am. Meaning I was already heading for the airport and feeling sick in my stomach as I had to say goodbye to my cousin and her boyfriend as I walked towards TSA. Holding my tears as I tried not to turn around knowing that I would break down right there and then.
I held my head high and walked towards my gate. Knowing that this would be a huge milestone in my life as it would be the first time I would ever board an airplane. And the first time I would ever leave the country. I was born in the United States, and I had never left from there. Therefore, this was going to be such an interesting experience.
Before I knew it, it was time to board on my first flight to Dallas, Texas. The experience of takeoff was very peculiar, and words cannot express how I felt in that moment. Especially looking down below me. As I arrived in Dallas, I was overwhelmed. The airport was huge, and I had to ask for help in navigating the gate for my last flight. The flight to Seoul, South Korea.
The 15-hour flight was very killer as I was running on 0 hours of sleep. At that point, I had been awake for a whole 48 hours. I had a panic attack the night before my flight, which made it almost impossible to get any sleep. And of course, I was not able to sleep at all during the last flight. It was too uncomfortable however, I watched movies, listened to music, and did many things to keep myself occupied.
On February 28th at 5:30pm, I finally arrived at Incheon airport. It took me almost 1 hour to get through customs and immigration. Right after I ordered a bus ticket to get taken to my hotel with a friend who was also going to attend the same program as me. I had arrived a day early from our move in day, therefore, staying in a hotel overnight was mandatory.
I arrived at my hotel and met my friend who I had been texting leading up our arrival for the first time in person. She was very sweet and almost instantly gave me a hug. I did not expect it but allowed it. I am not usually a hug kind of person however, quite frankly, I was too tired to care at that point.
She helped me roll one of my luggage’s towards our hotel as I settled in. We were both hungry, so we went to the convenience store and ate dinner there together. That night will become one of those core memories for me. In that moment, I had realized that I made it. I am now one of the first in my family to travel all the way on the other side of the world. Not only that, but the first to have applied and accepted in a study abroad program for a whole semester. I realized right there and then that all my efforts and hardships, were very much so worth it.
That night, I slept very soundly. Knowing I got the scariest part out of the way, I could now sleep in peace.
It is now May 15th as I am writing this. Almost 3 months have passed since I have been living in Seoul. I must say, I have definitely learned a ton during my time here. I have met many amazing individuals and created many long lasting and meaningful memories. I am very pleased with how my time has been going here. I couldn’t have imagined it any other way. I have done a lot of traveling since being here.
I have never had the chance to travel growing up, therefore, now that I am 21 years old, I am at that age where I can. I was given this opportunity to spend a semester abroad in a completely different culture and country so I should use it all to my advantage. I have never once regretted anything that I have done while being here. And that is how it should be. Being able to try many things out of your comfort zone is a privilege. To which not everyone is able to access. I must admit, it certainly took me a while to understand that.
I have experienced many firsts while being here. Attended my first ever concert, my first ever pop-up event, first time taking public transportation, applying and receiving a residence card, moving into the dorm on my own, supporting and funding for my own, and many more. This place will hold such a strong place in my heart. Another version of me was created here and I refuse to let that version get erased the second I return back home.
I return back to the United States on June 24th. I have almost a month and a half left. The thought of my time here almost being over saddens me however, I am ready to share all my experiences and journeys with all my friends and family. I cannot wait to bring back all that I have learned to my community. In hopes that it can inspire someone else to take that leap of their own.
I will end this entry as this. I will come back later and update more once my time is almost up.
If you have read all the way through, thank you very much. I appreciate your time spent. I hope you enjoyed what I had to write and hopefully, it can motivate you in some shape or form.
Sincerely,
Marlene Cabada
