Personal Story - Megan Leung

I grew up in Canton, Michigan, a suburb of metro Detroit. While there wasn't much to do in my town, it was a pleasant and convenient place to live. My friends and I often hung out in nearby downtown Plymouth, and occasionally we'd visit the University of Michigan, just 30 minutes away. I never imagined myself living in Maryland, but that changed when my dad got a job at the University of Maryland (UMD).

The summer before my junior year of high school, I attended an SAT prep class at UMD. During that time, I had the opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., and even took tennis lessons at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC). In 2011, I transferred to UMD and graduated from the School of Public Health. Since then, I’ve been with CBMG, initially working in the Cao Lab and later transitioning to the Business and Undergraduate Offices as an Administrative Coordinator.

During my sophomore year, I spent three weeks in Tianjin, China, as part of a summer study abroad program. It was my first time traveling abroad, which sparked my interest in exploring new cultures. While in China, I took a beginner’s Mandarin course, participated in tai chi lessons, learned about traditional Chinese instruments, and even tried my hand at calligraphy. On weekends, I traveled to Beijing by bullet train, where I climbed the Great Wall of China, and visited Shandong province, where I took a cable car up Mount Taishan. After the program ended, I was fortunate to visit my family in Hong Kong. I had the opportunity to explore the town and district where my parents grew up, though much of the original small-town landscape had been replaced by new developments.

Studying abroad was undoubtedly the highlight of my college experience, and I encourage all students to take the opportunity to explore different cultures. It’s an experience I wish I could relive. More recently, I’ve continued my international travels with repeat visits to Singapore and South Korea, and I’m eager to visit Japan and Taiwan next!