Penn Abroad Ambassador Belinda Kumi

Photo of student sitting overlooking sports field
Wharton '25
Management & Finance
Penn Abroad Leader (PAL)
Programs
Penn Global Seminars (PGS) Global Research & Internship Program (GRIP)

Program(s):

  • PGS: Colonial and Cosmopolitan Encounters in Mumbai, India

  • GRIP: Business in Sydney, Australia

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.

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.

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.

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