Happy New Year!

The holidays were fun, but break is coming to an end and it's back to reality. I go back to work tomorrow and the spring semester for UH starts on Monday. It'll be weird being on campus for just work while my friends are already starting classes.

I've yet to do much for my preparations for Korea. I'm still waiting on my acceptance package from Ewha, so it's a bit difficult to start getting stuff together and making plans. I haven't even purchased my airplane ticket yet! Some information about dorming should be coming out next week though, so hopefully that can start my preparations and give me some dates to schedule my flights.

With the new year and spring semester starting at UH, it's interesting to think that I'll be spending the beginning half of the year in another country. Studying abroad in Korea was such a surreal thought for a long time, but over time it has become much more realistic. It's starting to sink in now... I'm excited, but also quite nervous!

A Little Introduction

The fall semester is finally over and my next semester will be abroad in Korea at Ewha Womans University! I'm very anxious to go already, but am excited to enjoy the holidays and my extra long break (three months!) with friends and family.

Anyways, the point of this post... an introduction of myself! My name is Raenna and I'm a student from Hawaii that will be studying abroad in Korea for a semester! I am very blessed to have the chance to study as a Freeman Scholar with a very generous scholarship. I'm majoring in Management and Marketing, and plan to take business classes in Korea and an online course from UH.

Why I chose Korea? That's a pretty easy one since I've become so interested in Korea's pop culture over time. What a great chance to learn more about Korea's culture then and gain a stronger cultural awareness of the world around me! And maybe see some K-Pop idols?

I'm fortunate to be studying in Korea with some friends. Two will be attending Ewha Womans University with me, while the other will be studying at Korea University. It should be nice to be able to share these experiences with them and handle those "I'm lost" moments a bit better. Lets embrace these moments together... the good and not so good!

Thank You to the Freeman Foundation

What an experience to look forward to! Thank you to Mr. Graeme Freeman and Mrs. Doreen Freeman for helping provide the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Korea!

I look forward to progressing my studies in business at Ewha Womans University, but also am eager to immerse myself into a new culture and learn more about others and myself. I look at this time studying abroad for an opportunity of personal growth that will allow me to have a better understanding and appreciation of the world around me. It's always been a dream to travel, and I'm so blessed to have the chance to live and learn in Korea!

It was such a pleasure to meet Mr. Freeman and Mrs. Freeman, and I will always be grateful and remember this amazing experience they have helped provide.

I look forward to sharing my time abroad, and hope that people can enjoy and learn from the experiences I share!