{"id":6861,"date":"2016-04-05T13:55:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T17:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/?p=6861"},"modified":"2016-04-05T13:55:48","modified_gmt":"2016-04-05T17:55:48","slug":"year-abroad-helped-define-future-phd-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2016\/04\/year-abroad-helped-define-future-phd-student\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year Abroad Helped Define the Future for This PhD Student"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Written by Miranda Bunnis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea of going abroad as a student can be a daunting: embracing a whole new culture and language on top of working or studying. Wilson College of Textiles doctoral student Mira Abed decided to confront this challenge head on when she applied to teach at the Incheon International High School in Incheon, South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abed graduated from NC State in 2012 with two bachelor\u2019s degrees, one in Polymer and Colour Chemistry and one in International Studies. She started pursuing her PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science at the Wilson College of Textiles in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginning in February 2013, she worked at the school, as a high school math and science teacher. \u201cI wanted an experience abroad. The opportunity just fell into my lap since I was able to teach both maths and science at a higher level,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was one class in each year that had a strong international focus, with those students having either already been abroad or with the intention of traveling abroad for college or university. \u201cThey were all so interesting,\u201d said Abed about the 23 students she taught for one year. \u201cMany had lived abroad, and they were able to teach me all about Korean culture. The relationships I was able to build with the kids was the best part of my experience,\u201d said Abed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n