Penn Abroad Ambassador Belinda Kumi
Program(s):
- PGS: Colonial and Cosmopolitan Encounters in Mumbai
- GRIP: Business in Sydney
- SA: Bocconi University
Ask me about...
- Being abroad for the first time.
- How to figure out what to do when you're there.
- Researching before travel.
- Doing an internship abroad.
- Planning travel and packing.
- Making the most of your time abroad.
- Traveling cheap in Europe
- Not getting your first choice SA program
- Preparing and packing for abroad
- Culture shock (Europeans live a different lifestyle)
My Experience Abroad:
Taking a PGS and traveling to Mumbai, India was a great international experience. It allowed me to truly embrace the culture of another country. I was able to talk with local people, eat local foods, and also explore cool places within the country. This experience related to my professional and personal goals because my communication skills were broadened by talking to people from different cultures with different backgrounds. I not only got to learn but I was able to experience. I am currently doing the same with my GRIP Program in Sydney, Australia where I have an internship, am taking a class at USYD, and exploring during any free time. These opportunities allow me to learn so much beyond the classroom.
This past spring semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Milan, Italy, at Bocconi University. It was an incredible and enriching experience that I will never forget. As part of an exchange program with 500 other students, I made amazing friends from all over the world. I took fascinating courses like 'Management of Fashion'—in the world’s fashion capital—and an Italian crash course. I also had the flexibility to travel affordably, visiting 12 European countries and over 20 cities. Along the way, I tried various delicious, culture-specific foods. However, my absolute favorite part was exploring different markets and collecting unique pieces of jewelry.
Other Highlights:
- Simply walking through the streets, you see and hear so much and you truly experience the bustling life in the city.
- Doing traditional customs while abroad, whether its simply taking my shoes off to enter a mosque or always walking around in sandals.
- Seeing the most famous, tourist places. Even if its basic, seeing places like Bondi beach or Goa beach is amazing because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. Informational places like Gandhi's museum are also really cool to visit.
- Doing things as a group was always fun.
- Going to markets and seeing everything. Bargaining was also something new I tried. I love shopping so markets were some of my favorite places I'd get stuck in.
- Experiencing Milan Fashion Week
- Watching a professional game with AC Milan - where I saw Christian Pulisic aka Captain America
- Planning Impromptu day trips in Italy
- Many many appretivos with friends!
