Tag Archives: Economics

Marion Vidart

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NAME: Marion Vidart

MAJOR: Economics

PROGRAM: Summer School Abroad SSA – Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea – Summer 2025

EMAIL: marion.vidart@sjsu.edu

BIO:

I’m Marion, an undergraduate student studying Economics and Political Science here at SJSU. I grew up in Paris, France and moved to California during my teens – where I decided to stay for college. I’ve always been interested in learning about different countries and cultures, and fun fact: I used to be a global studies major! 

Studying abroad had always been on my bucket list, and I knew I had to seize that opportunity during my college years. After doing some research, I chose to participate in a summer program. I took a look at the SKKU Summer School Program and immediately knew it was a match: the classes offered counted for my major, the city the program was in was beautiful and modern, and it was in a country I had never visited before.

I had an amazing six weeks in Korea, and would do it all over again!

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

My goal was to immerse myself in Korea: I was on a short term program, making every second count. I wanted to make friends abroad and say yes to spontaneous activities. While in Korea I met students that soon became my friends, and with whom I went on so many excursions. I had fun and came back home with memories and stories to tell my friends and family. 

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

Studying abroad made me feel more grown. Spending time away from my parents was a first, as someone that still lives at home and commutes to college. I finally felt like an adult and felt more prepared for when it comes time to move out and live my personal and professional life. 

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?  

I took two economics courses at SKKU: ‘game theory’ in the morning and ‘behavioral economics & economics of altruism’ in the afternoon. This felt like a lot compared to my peers that were here for vacation and only took one class, BUT everything I learned was related to my major and this was something I was looking for: a balance between school work and personal travel time. Now I have come back home to SJSU with credits that count toward my degree and knowledge for both my academic and professional life.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? 

Being surrounded by international students enhanced my networking skills. This time, I was building genuine connections by showing interest in the countries and culture of my classmates. I had even become close to my professor, who taught both in South Korea and America. I came home with my social media accounts added, and of course linkedin connections!

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? Studying abroad gave me a better understanding of myself. Being abroad alone gave me the time and space to reflect on my life: what I want to do, what I want to study or even work in after college. This experience made me realize that traveling and living in another country (even if temporary) is something I want to do again. As a junior, I am preparing myself for a summer internship, and I plan on applying for internships abroad.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?  

1) Research the programs: SJSU offers many interesting programs, there will surely be one that matches your preferences based on your major, duration preference, and location choice

2) Follow the Spartan Abroad Newsletter and Socials: If I didn’t read any emails I got, I would have missed out on a majority of useful information about studying abroad. 

3) Ask questions to students that have been abroad (discord channel), or look for videos/blogs from students that went to the same country or school as you – this made me much less anxious about going away abroad!

Rikki Erielle Navos

NAME: Rikki Erielle Navos
MAJOR: Economics
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sungkyungkwan University (SKKU)
EMAIL: rikkierielle@gmail.com

BIO: Please tell us about you and why you chose to study abroad.

Studying abroad has been a constant goal of mine ever since I started college. I constantly glance at SJSU’s student exchange website to look at my options. One day, I saw the new program SJSU created with a university in South Korea, one of the countries I’ve dreamt of going to. I thought this was the opportunity I was looking for! I decided to apply right after!

CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Studying abroad allowed me to interact with people all around the world. It gave me connections to countries I’ve never even thought about visiting before! Studying in a foreign country has definitely allowed me to have better cultural awareness and improved my communication abilities with people from other backgrounds.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

My main goal for studying abroad was to see more of myself by seeing more of the world. South Korea was a place outside of the bubble I’ve lived in, and being able to study in such an unfamiliar country allowed me to experience phenomenons I would never have been able to as a student in my home country. I was exposed to another country’s way of studying and its youth’s culture. It introduced me to a lot of hobbies I never knew I would enjoy and gave me memories to carry for a lifetime.

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

The biggest impact my study abroad experience had on my was the ability to live independently in a foreign country. This is important to me because it brings a different type of growth one would get by living independently in our own country.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

My academic experience abroad was very different from our home university. I took three classes: Money and Banking, Economics in Global Environment, and Beginning Korean. It was very interesting seeing the process of how Korean students study and the different structures that the courses had compared to what I’ve experienced before. With these courses, I was able to be more comfortable doing group work and interacting more with other students

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

My immersion made me realize how big the world truly was. Since I’ve only been to the Philippines and the U.S. prior to Study abroad, I’ve only experienced very limited cultures.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

Study abroad prepared me for my future by enabling me to be independent and allow me to have the ability to be happy  with my own company. I am much more comfortable to live by myself now.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

I would tell a future Global Spartan to not limit themselves even though they’re in a foreign country. Put yourself out there. Make many connections and see the most out of the country you’re going to. You’ll remember it for the rest of your life.