For Mina Alamari ‘25, Study Abroad Strengthens Commitment to Foreign Service Career
Degree: Criminal Justice
Scholarship: Gilman Scholarship
Career Aspiration: Foreign Service Officer
What was life like before John Jay?
I was born in Yemen and raised in New York City. Coming from a family where no one had the opportunity to attend school, I’ve always taken education very seriously. I sought out academically driven programs and made the most of every opportunity. Growing up in New York—a diverse and multicultural city—sparked my deep interest in learning about other cultures and languages. I have always been surrounded by different cultures and nationalities. I have been exposed to different languages, cuisines and customs, without ever needing to leave the U.S. I also have friends from all around the globe. From the Dominican Republic, South Korea and Bangladesh, my exposure to the world has been endless. Another part of me is being the bridge of communication for my family. Since my family doesn’t speak English, I’ve often acted as their translator, which taught me the importance of communication and cultural understanding from a young age. I have recognized how vital it is for the person you are translating for to be understood and heard; language barriers should not take away respect and understanding.
Why did you choose John Jay?
What drew me to John Jay College was its strong reputation in criminal justice and public leadership. As someone who’s passionate about making a difference in global communities and possibly working with the United Nations or as a foreign service officer, I knew John Jay would provide the academic foundation and opportunities I needed. I was also inspired by the diversity of the student body, coming from New York City, that inclusivity and cultural exchange were really important to me. I wanted to be in an environment where I could grow academically and personally while being surrounded by others who are just as committed to justice and global change.
How did you learn about the study abroad program?
I saw the Study Abroad program promoted on the media wall in Haaren Hall. When I met with Kenneth Yanes, director of the Office of International Studies & Programs, he asked me where I wanted to go and the first word that came out of my mouth was Korea. He gave me a list of programs and he helped me plan for it. The main concerns for me was finance and my family not agreeing. My high school teacher, Mr. Vincent, was super encouraging since he knows how educational a study abroad experience can be and understands how my family will react to the idea. Through perseverance, I was able to assure my family of my safety and commitment to completing this semester abroad. Once that was settled, I had to figure out how to finance the trip. Luckily, I was able to secure financial aid and a Gilman Scholarship was a turning point—it gave me the financial support I needed to officially pursue my study abroad experience. Without it, I’m not sure I could have taken that leap. The Gilman didn’t just help with funding—it gave me the confidence to believe my goals were possible.
While in Korea, what college did you go to and how did the educational experience align with your career goals?
I attended Yonsei University, which is one of the top universities in the country and widely respected across Asia. My educational experience there aligned closely with my career goals in several meaningful ways. I took courses in Korean culture and cuisine, the politics of religion and the Korean language. Visiting historical sites and engaging directly with the local culture gave me a deeper understanding of Korea beyond the classroom.
I was not only studying Korean cuisine, religion, language and politics, but also had an immersive experience through course field trips and personal exploration. On our field trips, we ate jajangmyeon, a Korean-Chinese fusion noodle dish, in Chinatown; we made tea while conversing with a Buddhist nun; we made japchae while learning about the history of the dish. On my own, I explored K-drama sites while uncovering pieces of the culture and people; I had halal K-BBQ and sang my heart out at karaoke on the spur of the moment; I drank banana milk with friends after class; I visited filming locations from my favorite dramas and I solo-traveled to Busan, experiencing the delights of this bustling city while learning the importance of this city in Korea’s history.
Learning Korean through in-country exposure also made me feel confident and excited to expand my language skills further. As someone who already speaks Arabic and English, I recognize the importance of knowing a language as a bridge to understanding another culture and people. Between self-taught material, courses and cultural immersion, I felt my exposure to South Korea through its language has ignited a passion I would not have discovered without this study abroad opportunity.
This intense exposure opened my eyes to a culture completely unfamiliar to me and has deeply influenced my trajectory in life. Originally wanting to work in homeland security for the U.S., I now see myself working in South Korea’s U.S. embassy as a foreign service officer or as an interpreter for the United Nations in the U.S. With my background in criminal justice and my passion for diplomacy and cross-cultural communication, I hope to help strengthen the relationship between the United States and South Korea in any capacity I am able to. This study abroad experience was more than just academic—it brought me one step closer to that dream.
What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself through this experience?
The most surprising thing I learned about myself was how adaptable I am. I always thought I needed structure and familiarity to feel secure but being in a completely different country—navigating a new language, culture and school system—proved otherwise. I was able to explore a new country and travel all around, even without knowing the language. It showed me that I can figure things out, stay calm in unfamiliar situations and trust myself. I realized I’m much braver and more independent than I ever thought possible.
What was your most memorable experience?
After having an amazing day at Lotte World and visiting the Lotte Tower at night, my friend Angelica and I took the bus home really late. I remember this experience the most because some of the buses shut down at midnight and our trip went past midnight. The bus was empty and we were both singing, laughing and wondering when the bus driver was going to kick us off. We even opened the window and sang to the city together. This moment was so memorable because Angelica and I had fun in any situation; no moment was ever boring. Even though we were still getting to know each other, we really trusted each other in this moment. In other circumstances, I feel like this moment would have ruined the night for some people, but it didn't for us. We still enjoyed ourselves and made the most of this experience together.
What advice would you offer students curious about study abroad?
Studying abroad is more than travel—it's a chance to learn in a new environment, experience different cultures and grow personally. Stay open to new ideas, people and changes from your usual way of life. Studying abroad can be challenging. You'll face new situations, make mistakes and feel out of place at times. That’s part of the process—embrace it as a chance to grow. Go for it, don’t be scared–if you want to study abroad, you should go for it. I have grown so much from experiencing this semester abroad alone. If I had known how life-changing this study abroad opportunity was going to be, I would have done it a few more times before graduating.
In an ideal world, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself living and working in South Korea as a foreign service officer. After studying abroad there, I realized how much I value cross-cultural connections and diplomacy. I hope to be fluent in Korean by then and actively working to strengthen the relationship between the United States and South Korea. Also, I hope to teach English in South Korea. My goal is to represent my country while building bridges between cultures through mutual understanding, language and cooperation.
