Bryan Khoo
Bryan Khoo (he/him) - Stanford in Paris
Major: Management Science and Engineering
College year while abroad: Junior
About the photo: Sitting excited over the skyline of Barcelona!
Contact
Email Bryan or Schedule an appointment
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Paris?
I chose to study in Paris because of the academic accommodations it provided to Pre-Med students! As an engineering major / pre-med hybrid, it is extremely difficult to take any courses that don't go towards my graduating degree. Paris provided the perfect opportunity to go abroad and progress my degree!
What were your expectations before you went and how did they change once you were in Paris?
I had the expectation that the experience would be independent, with small cliches forming, but it was nothing like that at all. As a cohort, we all became close to one another and everyday had new experiences with new people! Everybody was so welcoming and I definitely made lots of new friends.
What were some of the academic benefits from studying away in Paris?
The cultural immersion of studying arts in Paris was amazing. Being able to see the specific art pieces that represented pivotal moments in history really helped supplement my learning. Additionally, I needed to take physics, and the Paris professors teaching physics were wonderful. The small class size really helped me understand complex topics.
What did you learn about yourself while studying away?
I learned what it feels like to be truly uncomfortable in a variety of social situations. Not speaking French well, I struggled to communicate in a lot of "routine" situations. It really has taught me how to feel more comfortable in the uncomfortable!
What was the most challenging experience you encountered while abroad and what did you learn from it?
I think the most challenging experience was learning how to navigate French speaking situations. Learning French throughout my study abroad was definitely helpful, but taking extra time to learn routine phrases really helped me a lot!
What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?
I really had to learn to try to keep to myself in public spaces. In Paris, it is not common to show friendliness towards strangers, so routine acts like smiling on the subway, or nodding to others you don't know can be interpreted as strange.
What was your favorite part of everyday life?
I loved interacting with the locals in Paris. It was interesting to talk to other people my age and see how their world view differs from the way we live life in the US!
What was the most memorable experience you had while in Paris?
We loved playing basketball at these courts in the park underneath the Eiffel Tower. After winning a tight 3v3 game against other French students, we together watched the lights of the Eiffel tower sparkle, indicating that dusk had arrived. We stood there chatting and laughing as we took in Paris's most beautiful sight.
What 5 words would you use to describe the experience?
Unique, transformative, packed, bonding, and unforgettable.
What was your favorite food?
After having a French croissant, I haven't been able to eat American pastries again.
What was the most valuable item you took with you on the program?
A compact but warm coat.
Please share some details about your experience? Who did you work with, what did you do and what did you learn from it?
I worked with a French school, teaching English to their students. It was really eye-opening to me to see the differences in the French discipline, and education system. They are significantly stricter and prioritize longer hours of supervised schoolwork. I learned how to interact with others from different cultures, and learned how to communicate despite a relatively large language barrier!