Meet Riya Ghotra
Interning Abroad in Korea
I’m currently majoring in Computer Science and had the incredible opportunity to spend the summer of 2025 interning with CRCC Asia in Seoul, South Korea. I immersed myself in a global work environment, collaborated with talented professionals, and experienced the beauty and culture of Korea along the way!
My Summer in Korea
South Korea is a beautiful country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and some of the warmest people you will ever meet. I tried delicious local foods and explored different corners of the city. The other interns made the experience even better, we bonded instantly, traveled all over the country together, and built long-lasting friendships.
Professional Growth
My internship with CRCC Asia placed me on an AI-powered precision agriculture project, which was both challenging and exciting. I worked on:
- Annotating drone imagery to help train computer vision models for real-time plant health monitoring.
- Learning how AI tools and machine learning can address real-world challenges, like optimizing crop growth and detecting early signs of plant disease.
- Collaborating with a global tech team to design workflows combining software development with agricultural expertise.
It was fascinating to see how technology could transform something as essential as agriculture. This experience taught me so much about my field and helped me grow professionally. I developed skills in cross-cultural collaboration and communication, learned to devise practical solutions when data was imperfect or incomplete, and learned the importance of leaning on my team. By the end of the internship, I felt much more confident using computer vision and machine learning concepts in a professional setting, and collaborating with international teams on future software projects.
Student Spotlight: Riya Ghotra in Korea by Global Education OfficeExploring Korea’s Best Spots
I had the privilege to visit so many incredible places across Seoul and Busan!
Recommendations for Seoul
- Grand Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung Palaces
- Jogyesa Temple
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
- Namsan Seoul Tower
- Han River
- Everland
- Cafe Pokpo
- Insadodam Restaurant
Recommendations for Busan
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- Haeundae Beach ~ Beach episodeeee!!!
Overcoming Challenges
Studying abroad isn’t without its challenges. The biggest one for me was the language barrier. Simple tasks like ordering food or asking for directions could be overwhelming at first. I relied on Papago, a translation app, which became a valuable tool for communication and even helped me learn new phrases along the way.
Another big adjustment was living away from home for the first time. As a commuter back home, I wasn’t used to being on my own in a new country. At first, I felt homesick and fell ill. But, the CRCC Asia staff were incredibly supportive, welcoming, and helpful, ensuring interns felt cared for and were always easy to reach through direct communication on our phones, especially about health and safety. Along the way, I learned how to budget, communicate with locals, make quick decisions, and adapt to new environments, skills that will stay with me far beyond this experience.
Financial Support
As a first-generation student, studying abroad felt out of reach. Thanks to the support of George Mason University, the Global Education Office, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and Scholarship for Unpaid Internships, I was able to make this opportunity possible. The scholarships helped reduce financial barriers and connected me with resources to navigate studying abroad successfully.
Make sure you review the eligibility criteria to confirm you qualify!
For the Gilman Scholarship, deadlines are at the beginning of October and March, so keep an eye out! There are also many tips available for writing the application essays, which I recommend reviewing to help brainstorm and strengthen your submission.
Advice for Future Students
If you’re considering studying or interning abroad, here’s my advice:
- Talk to the Global Education Office! Don’t be afraid to reach out. They can help with many different topics, such as finances, external scholarship opportunities, finding the right program for you, the application process, connecting you with financial advisors, and more.
- Start early! Look into scholarships as soon as possible so you can apply on time.
- Be flexible! There are so many types of programs. Keep an open mind and find one that fits your goals.
- Say yes! Be open to trying new things and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Just go!
I hope my story encourages other first-generation students, or any student, to consider studying or interning abroad. It’s about so much more than academics; it’s about personal growth, cultural connection, and discovering how big the world really is and what it has to offer. Stay open-minded!
Author Spotlight
| Major | Computer Science |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Chantilly, Virginia |
| Study Abroad | Internship in Seoul, South Korea |
| Highlight | Traveling all over Seoul and Busan! |
| Challenge | Getting sick the first week after arrival |
| Favorite Food | Gamjatang (pork bone soup) & KBBQ |