- Dr. Moser’s workshop
On Wednesday mornings, we don’t wear pink but we do learn how to dress our communications to impress. Dr. Moser’s workshops have made me realize just how much we should value our interactions and professional communications.
This week he asked us to answer random open-ended questions on the fly. What I expected to be an easy little activity turned out to be an eye-opening challenge that showcased how we think and how quickly we can put together a comprehensive answer. I was asked “if I could speak to any ghost, who would it be?” which even though we knew it would be random, completely caught me off guard. I struggled to answer the question cohesively, but I thought it was a great learning experience and helped me see where exactly I fall short in my explanations.
I think one of my favorite parts of his workshops, though, is getting to listen to the ideas, perspectives, and presentations of the cohort during our discussions.
- Interaction with the research lab members
Now that introductions have been made, and I know how to get around my building and campus, working in the lab has been a lot easier. Also, three more interns joined the lab this week so it feels nice to not be the only newbie working! I also got extra training with our lab’s machines because of them, so that was really helpful. I now feel a little more confident working with the etcher, sputter, and aligning machines.
Working with nanoelectronics is definitely difficult, but everyone is happy to help reexplain concepts and procedures. One thing I especially struggled with though, was picking up the little silicon wafers we use every day. Nevertheless Kayla, my mentor, let me keep practicing by having me work on washing the wafers and developing the photoresist patterns in each of our cycles.
My typical setup working with the silicon wafers
Labels of my name, in Korean, my mentor Kayla gave me for the lab
- Excursions
During the week this week, I spent most nights going out with Elizabeth and our roommate Nadia. While exploring more of our neighborhood, Elizabeth and I discovered a huge market only 15 minutes away. They sell all kinds of fresh foods and I am looking forward to going back for grocery shopping.
The fresh food market found in Gwanak-Gu
For the weekend, I would definitely say we went a little overboard but it was totally worth it. On Friday night, Elizabeth Nadia and I went to a sheep cafe in Hongdae. It was the cutest thing ever and they served the best waffles and ice cream I have ever had.
Petting sheeps at The Nature Cafe

Waffles and Ice Cream served at the cafe
That night we walked all around Hongdae shopping, playing games in the arcade, and just all around sight seeing. In hindsight, staying out so late may not have been the best idea because at 5am the next day Elizabeth and I got ready to go meet up with the cohort in Daejeon.
After a 2 bus transfer and a 2 hour intercity bus ride, we made it to Daejeon and were warmly welcomed by Matt and Nathan (M&N) into their truly lavish apartments.
Elizabeth and Matt in the road in front of M&N’s apartment
From there we set off into a weekend full of activities. It was honestly a great time and I’m so glad that M&N were kind enough to show us around their favorite spots in town.
Group picture in front of Sum Sing Dang bakery
Half-eaten beef sandwich from the bakery
(I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture before taking a bite)
Group photo in front of missile displayed
Group photo on the Expo Park Bridge at the National Science Museum
Our weekend ended with a hike I definitely was not prepared for, but was absolutely worth it. We climbed a whopping 775 meters up Gyeryongsan mountain. It was my first ever hike and making it up there definitely was not easy, but having 5 other great people to go up there with made it a little easier. The views were breathtaking, and while the views at the peak of the mountain boggled my mind, the time spent on the last leg near the bottom took the cake for me. I got to spend that time walking on my own near the water rushing from the waterfall at the top of the mountain. It was so serene and beautiful. I took the time to reflect on my time here in Korea, to pray, and to think about my friends, family, hopes and dreams. It was a pleasant reminder that no matter where in the world I go, the challenges I’ll face, the overall craziness of the world, the world will keep spinning and the water will keep flowing.
Panoramic of the views at the peak of Gyeryongsan mountain
Group photo at peak #1: 775 meters up
Stream at the bottom of Gyeryongsan mountain