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From walking on the Great Wall in China to tasting street food in Malaysia, UC San Diego students are fanning across the world this summer to conduct research, take classes and discover new cultures. We asked three of them to write about their experiences. These are their stories.

Serena Chang

Learning to Be on Your Own
and Enjoying Exotic Cuisine in Malaysia

Penang, Malaysia—I never thought that I could be away from my family for a whole summer. I certainly never expected to travel more than 30 hours by myself to reach Penang, Malaysia. Now a week into my nine-week research internship via the PRIME program, I am still in disbelief that I am actually here.

About Serena
Serena Chang is studying at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in the city of Penang as part of UC San Diego’s PRIME program. Her research project aims to modify human glycan receptors and measure these effects in binding to the hemagglutinin protein of the influenza virus H1N1.

Wendy Fong

The Great Wall and
Influenza Research: Getting to Know China

Beijing, China—After four movies and a 20-hour flight with stops in Guam and Manila, I have finally arrived in Beijing. It didn’t hit me that I was actually in my host country until I was met by the scorching heat when trying to catch a taxi with my mentor. However, I was able to quickly adjust due to frequent traveling in the past year.

About Wendy
Wendy Fong is studying at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing as part of UC San Diego’s PRIME program. She is doing research on mutations that facilitate the cross-species transmission of influenza viruses.

Ethan Uong

Enjoying Diversity and Doing Research in New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand—On the night of June 20, 2010 I knew my life wasn't going to be the same for a few months. I knew that something tickled my twinkle and I couldn’t rest. The following day, I embarked on a brand-new journey to find myself lost in a beautiful country, New Zealand, and furthermore a sight-seeing city, Auckland. When I went through customs at the Auckland International Airport, it struck me that I would actually be living here for nine weeks.

About Ethan
Ethan Uong is studying at the University of Auckland in New Zealand as part of UC San Diego’s PRIME program. His work examines unreinforced masonry structures and their behavior during an earthquake.

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