Davis Chay, Jeffery

Jeffery Davis Chay

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
Growing up I had never traveled outside the country and really wanted to visit a country I was not familiar with and different then my culture to truly immerse myself. When I saw South Korea was an option I was instantly intrigued since South Korea was a country in Asia, a region of the world I never thought I would have the chance to travel let alone study in.

What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I enjoy traveling and want to work in a field that lets me work with people from different places and cultures. It also helped me realize that I wanted to major in Media and Journalism at UNC. I was allowed to take amazing media courses at Korea University that helped me recognize an interest I had in Media and Journalism. 

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories is visiting the War Memorial of Korea. It was a powerful and immersive experience that deepened my understanding of the country’s history and culture. Walking through the exhibits and memorials helped me gain a new perspective on Korea’s resilience and the impact of the Korean War and even learned about the US involvement too. 

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
One piece of advice I would say is to remember you are abroad and take advantage of that! It's super easy to forget that and not take advantage of the different opportunities you have that are only unique to that country. For example, I visited the DMZ Zone in South Korea, something that could only be possible there. So make sure to research different experiences unique to your country. 

How do you identify?
Student of color, First Generation College Student, Covenant Scholars

Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
There were many instances where many students asked me what was my ethnicity and where were my parents from. I explained my ethnicity and talked about my culture growing up which helped me create many new friends and also helped me learn more about the other student's cultures through that conversation.

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
I would say that your identity can be a unique experience to someone else and don't be shy talking or answering questions from other students that they might have about your identity. 

Memories