Penn Abroad Ambassador Samina Kaushek

Program:

• GRIP: Social Impact in Buenos Aires

• SA: CASA: Sevilla

Ask me about...

• Navigating a homestay in two different countries

• Working at a company where no one speaks English

• Setting personal goals while abroad

• Attending classes in a different language

• Solo dining and adventuring

• Planning trips abroad

My experience abroad...

Living in Buenos Aires in summer 2023 has definitely changed the way I picture my professional journey. I took on an incredibly creative role this summer whether I was filming content for sustainable clothing brands or interviewing designers at fashion exhibits with my colleagues. I am eager to find ways to incorporate similar projects in the opportunities to come. I also discovered my interest in the consumer retail industry through my internship. The powerful stories behind such well-crafted clothing pieces are ones that I will never forget, and I hope to market similar stories to an even larger audience in the future!

After working in Buenos Aires, Argentina in summer 2023 and improving my Spanish skills, I was ready to study in Seville, Spain and continue mastering the Spanish language. By taking classes such as ‘Filosofía de la Cultura’ and ‘Psicología de la Memoria,’ I studied topics that related to my major while practicing my Spanish writing and conversational skills. Through these academic experiences, I also learned the power of self-advocacy. For example, I worked with my professors to find the best study strategies to excel in my classes. I also sought out tutoring sessions to feel more confident about the material I was learning every week. In regards to professional goals, I am even more excited to study consumer behavior on a global level next year at Penn and beyond.

Other highlights...

• Bonding with my host mother and practicing 'sobremesa' at the dinner table every night

• Backpacking in South America with new friends

• Engaging in meaningful conversations with Argentinian fashion designers and artists

• Discovering my love for the 'choripan'

• Wearing flamenco dresses for festivals like the Feria de Abril with my roommate and host siblings

• Immersing myself in the cultures of other Andalusian cities such as Málaga and Ronda

• Traveling to countries like Morocco and Portugal with new friends from CASA Sevilla

• Interviewing designers for my final project about the evolution of the fashion industry in Seville

• Reuniting with friends from Penn while exploring new cities like Budapest and Berlin