UC Irvine Stories

Our undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and scholars participate in international education every day. Hear from our some of our current students, staff, and scholars as they share their experiences with international education.

Ruohmei Hsieh – Academic Coordinator, School of Humanities

Where are you from and what brought you to UC Irvine?

I grew up in Taiwan and came to UCI to work as a Chinese instructor

How has international education impacted your life?

My studying abroad experience gave me new perspectives, taught me to always keep an open mind, and helped me gain confidence in communicating with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to participate in international education?

Do it as early as possible during your time at UCI. International education can open the door to more opportunities for you.

Do you have any stories about your time at UC Irvine that you would like to share?

I have served as the faculty leader of study abroad groups to Taiwan in recent years and witnessed how international education can be a life-changing experience for many participants. I hope every UCI student gets to study abroad at least once during their UCI career.

Sukriti Kapur – PhD Candidate in Chemistry

Where are you from and when did you arrive at UC Irvine?

I am from New Delhi, India and I came to UC Irvine in 2021 for my Ph.D in Chemistry.

How has international education impacted your life International education has taught me adaptability and diverse problem-solving skills. It has not only expanded my professional network but also my personal one. I have gained a deeper appreciation for different cultures and ways of life, therefore broadening my worldview and perspectives.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to participate in international education? Embrace the differences you encounter during your international education journey; whether it’s trying new foods, participating in local festivals, or learning a different way of communicating. They are what make this experience truly special.

Do you have any stories about your time at UC Irvine that you would like to share? My first Halloween here was pretty fun. I went to a friend’s house to celebrate with her family and carved out pumpkins. This was my first time celebrating Halloween, so it was certainly a memorable experience!

Brisa Marie Smith Flores – Postdoctoral scholar in African American Studies

Where are you from and what brings you to UCI? I am from Fort Worth, Texas. I have done a lot of traveling all for school, and now I have the exciting opportunity to work as a postdoctoral fellow in the African American Studies Department at UCI!
How has international education impacted your life? – I traveled abroad for the first time in my junior year as an undergraduate. I spent 6 months living in Spain and during that time I went to almost 30 different cities and 9 different countries. At that point, I didn’t realize it, but as the cliche goes, studying abroad changed my life. I loved the ways living in new places and meeting new people helped me as a person grow and learn new ways to view the world and myself. School continued to be an avenue to help me see the world, so I pursued a PhD at UCLA. Through my Ph.D. education, I got the opportunity to live in Brazil and Mexico for 8 months for research. My travel has helped me learn many new languages, make lifelong friends, and most importantly it has helped me understand myself in relation to so many other people around the world.
Do you have any stories to share about your time at UCI? – I am still very new at UCI, I just started last month, but so far every person that I have met has been kind and welcoming. These sorts of interactions definitely help me feel like I can belong and thrive here at UCI!