Zoe Howard
Staff Writer
Most people don’t think they will be studying abroad in Asia as a high schooler their first semester of freshman year but current freshman Leah Szabo jumped at the opportunity to go to Bali, Indonesia.
Szabo left for her semester abroad August 6th. After a twenty four hour plane ride, Szabo started her new school the following morning. When Szabo had breaks off from school, she traveled to Vietnam, Malaysia and Flores, Indonesia with family friends that she has known since she went to preschool in Hungary.
“The biggest thing I got out of this experience was just traveling and getting away from what I’m used to,” said Szabo. “I have lived in Manhattan Beach for nine years so I think being somewhere different and knowing how other people live was just so cool.”
Szabo’s family friends invited her to go with them to Bali because they were taking time off work for a year. According to Szabo she wanted to take the chance and go with them.
“I think that it is so [important for] people to take opportunity to leave their comfort zone,” said Szabo. “It took me about three months to feel comfortable there but after I felt so happy and had a really fun time.”
Szabo attended Canggu Community School, a school in Bali with students ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade. However she had only 35 students in her grade but was able to take all of the necessary classes that students at Mira Costa take including geography, art and music as her electives.
“I think my favorite part about going to high school in Bali was being outdoors,” said Szabo. “My school was right next to a rice field and a river and it was peaceful [and] during the rainy season we had big covers on the walkways so we would be able to get to class soaking wet.”
In Flores Szabo went on a three day boat trip to go snorkeling. Also, She also went to the island Komodo, and went on a hike to see Komodo dragons.
“It was so fascinating [to see the] Komodo dragons,” said Szabo. “Usually you don’t see them, but we were lucky enough to see three.”
Also, Szabo went to Malaysia for two days. Here she explored the city and went inside a temple that was in a cave.
“I liked traveling around Asia the most because Bali was super fun and all but getting to explore new places was even cooler, said Szabo.
During the duration of Szabo’s semester abroad, she was in Vietnam for three days. Here Szabo went to see the water buffalos and did a river tour to eat local food and watch traditional Vietnamese performances.
“Vietnam was the most fun because I got to go and see all of the Vietnam war [artifacts],” said Szabo. “We went [into the tunnels the] Vietnamese dug when hiding from the United States [in the Vietnam War].”
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