Meet Your Advisor - Angelica Gutierrez
Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad Fall 2022 in Gwangju, South Korea, specifically at the Yeosu campus. I participated in the intensive language program where I learned about two years’ worth of the language!
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
I studied abroad with my sister and during my birthday, our brother and his friend visited us for a week. We showed them around our program city, took them to our favorite restaurants, and introduced them to all our friends. It was so fun to share our experience and show how beautiful South Korea is!
What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
I really liked traveling to Seoul! I went a couple times in the semester and there’s so many unique experiences there: cat cafes, trendy restaurants, shopping centers, amusement parks, etc. You can fill a whole weeklong itinerary, and you won’t fit in every fun experience, there is so much to do!
What is your funniest travel memory?
Short story long…
One of my funniest memories abroad was when our Korean culture teacher gave us each a Gonggi set—essentially Korea’s version of jacks. It was so much fun learning about traditional childhood games in Korea, but the boys in our program were convinced they could master the game better than us girls. Naturally, we challenged them to a tournament, with the losers buying ice cream for everyone.
The stakes were higher than Lotte Tower!
We recruited our language buddies, roommates, friends, and even asked our professors for tips. They were especially nostalgic and excited about our tournament, which made it even more wholesome! After a week of “training,” we had our showdown, complete with You're the Best by Joe Esposito playing in the background, setting the perfect vibe for the match.
I’m not going to lie…it was pretty intense.
The funniest part? The boys had a “secret weapon”—their Korean roommate, who they had refused to introduce to us all semester. It was literally an inside joke that he was their “faceless” roommate walking unknowingly amongst us. The match was going to be his debut!
In the end, it was a tie. The girls bought ice cream, and the boys bought dinner. We were all so ridiculously invested in a children's game, and that made it even more hilarious!
If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?
If I could go on any program, I would love to go on our Nishinomiya, Japan program. I love Japanese culture, and I’ve always wanted to visit since I was young!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I like to do quiet activities like crocheting, embroidery, reading, and spending time with family. I’m also chronically online so going through TikTok is a way I unwind!
What is a weird fact about you?
I always tell people that I’m afraid of sloths and everyone thinks that it’s so shocking and I don’t know why. Just imagine you’re in bed at night, you look down and you just see a sloth crawling. Absolutely not. Baby sloths are cute but they’re on thin ice!
Also, I love conspiracy theories. Before I receive some judgement, I DON'T think the Earth is flat! The Earth is a round queen.
What’s on your bucket list?
I have a whole book that includes things on my bucket list but, If I must choose a couple, I’d say…
- See Venice before it goes underwater.
- See the cherry blossoms in Japan.
- Stay in a bungalow in Bora Bora.
- Take a picture of the Eiffel tower where it looks like I’m holding it.
- Own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
What’s a meme that describes your life?
