News from the Office of Connected Learning

A Parisian dream by Epharata Mohamed

Epharata’s study abroad experience in Paris pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped her grow in confidence and independence. Navigating a new language, city, and daily life on her own taught her to be resourceful, embrace uncertainty, and take risks. Through small but meaningful moments like exploring the city solo and discovering new interests;...

November 25, 2025

Nineteen in Seoul: Learning to Be Brave in a City That Never Sleeps by Hazel Kaushik

Hazel’s study abroad experience in Seoul began as a childhood dream and became a powerful journey of independence and self-discovery. As the only UW Bothell student in a UW Seattle cohort, she navigated daily life on her own learning new routines, finding vegetarian food, and building connections with strangers. Through meaningful moments in Seoul and...

November 20, 2025

A First Step Toward Professional Growth by Les Vasquez, Digital Scholars 2025

My summer internship touched on website auditing. I worked for the UW Bothell Division of Academic Affairs in their executive office. The internship was hybrid, twice a week, and I worked in an environment where my supervisor and peers were available at all times. What drew me to the Digital Scholars program was the free...

November 20, 2025

Designing to Save Lives by Brooke Ojala

This summer, I worked with Dr. Jong Yoon, in the Smart Medical Devices Lab. Without consistent feedback, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may have inconsistencies, so we worked toward creating a robotic ultrasound system that can be used to improve CPR outcomes in a non-hospital, field setting. This system will provide first responders with adaptive audiovisual feedback...

November 19, 2025

Scratching the Surface of Innovation by Amaya Cook

For the summer of 2025, I had the privilege of continuing an ongoing research project with my mentor, Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran, sponsored through the Office of Connected Learning’s undergrad research program. Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be made from biowaste in a biodegester. Methane then can undergo a process called Steam Methane Reformation...

November 17, 2025

Choosing Rwanda: The Journey Before the Journey by Layan Arrabi

As a mathematics major unsure how study abroad fit into her academic path, Layan found guidance and confidence through the Global Scholars program. With advising support, scholarships, and structured reflection, she narrowed overwhelming options and ultimately chose the Nation Building in Rwanda program. What began as uncertainty before departure turned into an exciting opportunity to...

November 12, 2025

One Iced Americano, Please: A Recollection of Globalism, Space, and Belonging in Korean Café Culture by Rebekah Song

During her study abroad in South Korea, Rebekah reflects on café culture as a powerful example of globalism, where international influences are reimagined through local creativity, aesthetics, and values. From iced Americanos to uniquely crafted desserts, cafés became spaces of community, belonging, and cultural connection, shaping her understanding of how everyday rituals can create meaningful...

November 10, 2025

Expanding the definition of conservation

Jackelyn Garcia entered UW Bothell planning to study medicine but discovered her passion for environmental science after joining a research project on plant evolution. With support from her mentor, she became a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar, where she explored diverse approaches to conservation and realized her calling in environmental work. The fellowship shaped her career...

November 3, 2025

Visualizing Success: A Summer Internship in Data by James Chen, Digital Scholars 2025

Q&A with James Chen, Digital Scholars Intern 2025. What was your summer internship like?   I worked with the University of Washington Bothell Advancement Team specifically in Alumni Engagement where I collaborated with the team to work on two major projects: employers for alumni and a breakdown of a past fundraising event.  The first project, employers for alumni, we pulled from two separate UW databases and...

November 3, 2025