We always love hearing stories from our Global Mustangs who have participated in study abroad programs. It’s these stories that inspire others to join and emphasize the value of cultural exchange for students as they engage in our multicultural community and world. Our graduating Peer Advisor Sofia Rogel shares the impact of her experience traveling to Singapore and Rome:
“Until January of 2022, studying abroad in Singapore had never crossed my mind or appeared on my radar of upcoming travel destinations. When I entered college, I had already done all my research on a program that I was confident I would participate in come my third year. These plans abruptly changed due to the Covid pandemic shutting down the program for the academic quarter I had planned on studying there. No other program was being offered in the location I had originally researched, and so I was back to phase one: where do I want to study abroad?
CIEE offers a program called “Open Campus Block” which allows you to spend three six-week blocks studying at campuses across the globe, and I thought why decide on one when I can do many, so I chose Shanghai and Rome. Shanghai seemed like a logical choice considering my field of study (Industrial Technology and Packaging), as the city is known for being a hub for professionals in this field. My goal was to immerse myself in a region known for its innovation and progress, and Shanghai perfectly fit this criteria.
As for Rome, I had never been to Europe before and Rome, with its rich history and cultural heritage, seemed like an ideal starting point for my European exploration. This was my plan for half a year, until I received an email saying Covid had resulted in the Shanghai program closure for the coming academic year, and I had to let them know by Thursday where I would want to go instead. Two days to do six months of research on where to go. I received an email saying if I went to Singapore I would receive a grant, and so I said why not, another hub for technology and innovation, Singapore could be really cool. It really was a leap of faith, and come that fall I had found somewhere on this planet that felt like home more than anywhere else ever felt. I took classes with the CEO of Siemens, I made friends on the island who I still talk to frequently, and I found a lifestyle for myself that made me excited for each day I was there.
Singapore gave me a place to blossom, and since landing in America in January 2023, it has been my goal to move back. This past school year, I worked in the study abroad office as a peer advisor, where my love for being a part of international education has blossomed. I get to talk to students about my two favorite things, travel and education. It has been so special being a part of their journey to finding their home somewhere else on this globe and it got me thinking, why not continue this work following graduation?
I began reaching out to CIEE in October 2023, expressing interest in the field and an opportunity to go back, but nothing seemed feasible. Nevertheless, I continued to stay in contact with the program and CIEE staff across the globe and unexpectedly received an email at almost midnight one day in April that would change the course of my life, from Marc Teng, my former program director: “Work Experience at CIEE in Singapore.” I was on a phone call with the study center the next day and applied for my VISA the following. Before I knew it, Singapore would be becoming my home for the remainder of 2024.
Starting July, I will join the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) at their Singapore office as a program assistant for students, guiding them through their study abroad journey the same way I was supported by my program assistant, Doreen Tang, when I was there. Singapore showed me the value of living in an international environment, and CIEE taught me the importance of intercultural education. I am eager to keep contributing to the international education journey of students as they embark on their own transformative experiences abroad, and I thank Cal Poly’s International Center for the experience this past year in their office, which provided me with even more of a passion for being a part of international education.
