By Theresa O’Connor

When Stella Lovelady’s study abroad plans took a turn in another direction, she did not realize that she would discover more about her SEOUL in South Korea! From the graduating Class of 2020, alumna Stella Lovelady is currently in her freshman year at George Mason University.

She is majoring in Global Affairs and is presently attending George Mason Korea in Incheon South Korea through the program, Global Gateway, George Mason University’s study abroad program. This program allows second semester freshmen to travel and spend a semester at specific universities partnered with the university or their Korea campus. Sounds pretty cool right?

Originally, Stella was going to go to Thailand for her second semester but due to Covid-19, all the other study abroad locations were cancelled, except South Korea. So, Stella stuck to her, “I’ll take a plane ticket to anywhere if you give it to me” mindset and changed her destination to South Korea at the very last minute. As a whole, she is very gratified that she made this decision!

Between her junior and senior years, Stella went to China through Tempe Sister Cities. Tempe Sister Cities is a student exchange program that encourages cultural understanding and international goodwill by creating friendships between people and their communities. During the exchange program, she stayed a month in Zhejiang, China with a host family. Afterwards, her host sister lived with her for a month in Arizona.

Stella says that she had wonderful experiences in China and was eager to explore more of Asia. So, she knew that she wanted to study abroad in college and was very happy to find out that second-semester freshmen could do so!

Stella’s true study abroad experience started on Feb. 16 this year, after being isolated in quarantine two weeks previously. And although she has not been in South Korea for a full month, she has already made so many lasting memories! Stella says that there are still strict restrictions regarding Covid, but since the virus is more under control in South Korea, most touring sites and facilities are open.

In particular, Stella has explored multiple excursionist locations through the metro system in South Korea’s heart and capital city, Seoul. Stella states, “[The metro system] is easy to navigate, very clean, and goes everywhere within the Seoul area I could possibly want to go.” She has ventured through the metro system to numerous fascinating destinations including, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Seoul Tower, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon, the Han River, and Dobongsan.

Stella especially enjoyed her visit to Dobongsan which is part of Bukhansan National Park and considered one of Seoul’s finest mountains. She mentions, “Hiking at Dobongsan was wonderful. As we hiked up into the mountain, we came across several beautiful Buddhist temples. It was a beautiful, slightly chilly day and breathing in the clean cool air felt amazing.” That sounds super fun and relaxing!

Furthermore, while being immersed in the Korean culture and tradition, Stella has been learning Korean! She is still learning the fundamentals of the Korean language in order to improve her communication with the Korean people. She is very enthusiastic to be able to study this new language! Stella claims, “Learning Korean is definitely a little bit challenging for me because it is so different from the languages I speak, but I am excited to continue learning it.”

Stella is planning to go back to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia after this second semester but is definitely open to spending another semester in Seoul. Stella says, “I still have most of college in front of me and I am open to exploring different opportunities as they come my way. While not having an exact plan for my next few years of college could seem daunting, I am grateful to be here now and have so many potential opportunities and paths in my future.”

Just like many of our distinguished alumni, Stella Lovelady is an exceptional example of a Tempe Prep student that goes beyond high school and receives the opportunity to experience amazing things!