Just days after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I embarked on a Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel to explore my Jewish identity and better understand how the conflict affects the daily well-being of Israelis.
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I decided to return to Cambodia because the work of the missionaries to Cambodia is particularly meaningful to me: their ministry model is predicated on a model of church-planting and discipleship - which is foremost among my beliefs and values - and encompasses several mercy ministries, including rescuing and rehabilitating girls from the horrors of sex and labor trafficking (which continue to be devastating problems in Cambodia), teaching English and other supplemental educational programs in the village, and feeding the poor.
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When I decided to take a gap year at the last minute, I was hesitant about postponing my college education but hopeful that the year ahead would prove to be worth the delay. I was not disappointed.
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Prior to spending my summer of 2022 in Taiwan, I had visited only a handful of times to the place my parents once called home. They have now spent a greater proportion of their lives in the U.S. than in their homeland, so I never had the chance to get to know Taiwan beyond my infrequent visits as a tourist with my family.
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My winter break spent in Bangladesh brought numerous moments of fulfillment and reenergized me to work towards supporting my community back home.
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Visiting South Korea showed me the power of pop culture in world politics, the lasting effects of U.S. foreign policy from the Cold War, and how navigating diplomatic relations is complicated and often doesn’t have an easy solution.
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During my trip to South Korea this past summer, I was able to take a short trip to Jeju Island for a few days. Jeju Island is a volcanic island off the southern tip of Korea. It is known as a popular honeymoon destination – or at least it was, according to my parents who spent their own honeymoon there about 30 years ago. This was the first time they visited the island together since then.
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My South Korea trip began in the bustling capital Seoul, then meandered down to the port city Busan before finishing its course in Seoul once more.
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