“I first heard about the Utah Asia Campus from my dad, who found out about it through some friends. They had a kid my age who almost decided to come here but didn’t. That made me curious, so I started doing some research. After checking out the learning abroad website, I discovered that the U Asia Campus offered my major, and from that point on, I knew it was something I wanted to experience during my time in college.

The campus has really exceeded my expectations, especially when it comes to the quality of education. The classes are challenging in the best way, and I feel like I’m making real progress. What surprised me most is how easy it’s been to connect with other students. It’s been such a cool experience to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.

One big difference between the Utah Asia Campus and the Salt Lake City campus is how easy it is to get involved here. There’s such a supportive atmosphere, and resources are so accessible that it makes both academic and social life more manageable. Being in a smaller, international environment also pushes you to grow personally. You come here already sharing something in common with everyone around you—being in a new place—so forming connections feels more natural.

I’ve joined several clubs through recommendations from friends, and I’ve found it really easy to meet people in classes who share similar interests. The tight-knit community here makes building relationships feel almost effortless, which I think is one of the best parts about the campus.

I’m excited about how this study abroad experience will benefit my future. It’s helped me become more comfortable with change and has opened me up to even more international opportunities. Now that I know I can handle studying abroad, I feel ready to take on even bigger adventures in the future.

I’ve learned so much just by having conversations with people around me. I’ve made amazing friends and created unforgettable memories by simply putting myself out there. So, make plans, join clubs, travel—and most importantly, have fun!”

—Isabel Duncan, sophomore studying film and media arts, University of Utah Asia Campus