Bridge Year location: Cambodia
Academic focus: anthropology

Hi! I’m Soree. I’m a Korean American from North Georgia/Tennessee. I was part of the Bridge Year Cambodia Cohort 1.0 in the 2023-2024 school year. It was on a pure whim that I applied for Bridge Year but it was one of the best decisions I made in my life. I have learned so much about myself and the world outside of school. While I do not have the answers of which career I will have or what I will major in, I now know what I value and want to focus on in my life. Bridge Year confirmed my passion for people and connections. I also have a place to call home because of Bridge Year. I am very close with my homestay family and hope to visit them in the near future! I learned not only the language but also Cambodian culture and how to live in a new environment. I am beyond thankful for Bridge Year. I now have a close group of friends coming into college and believe that whatever college throws at me, I can handle it!

In what ways did Bridge Year challenge you?

Bridge Year challenged me in so many ways: a new environment, new food, new language, new culture, new people, and finding a place to call home in a completely new country. There were times I felt out of place and alone. Navigating a new country with no one very close to you is challenging, but because of this, I have been able to gain independence. Like the phrase “no pain, no gain,” maturing and growing is not easy. There have been so many awkward and embarrassing moments because of cultural differences and language barriers, but they all have made me into a more resilient person. Because of the challenges I faced during Bridge Year, I have become more open-minded and now purposefully placed myself out of my comfort zone to learn more about myself and the world around me.

What was the best part of Bridge Year for you?

The best part of Bridge Year was the people, especially my homestay family! You not only join a family, but you also become a community member in the village. My family introduced so many aspects of Khmer culture to me and showed me that even across language barriers and differences, people can come together and make connections. I consider them as my own family and miss them so much. I also learned so much within my cohort. Each cohort member came from a different background and brought a different set of skills and values to Cambodia. Through my friendships with them, I learned how to be a more confident and brave person. The lessons I learned were always through interactions with people.