“I want to be independent and leave my comfort zone in the Philippines. I also want to gain life experiences in another country, to discover different cultures and new perspectives.”
Filled with fulfillment and gratitude, Jennylyn Obligado, fondly called by her family and friends as ‘Jen,’ shared in an interview why she bravely pursued becoming an international student: to achieve personal development.
In five months, the 24-year-old made history for FEU Diliman as the first delegate in its Study Abroad Program at National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU) in Taiwan.
Facilitated by the Industry-Academe Linkage, Alumni, and Placement (IALAP) Office, the program offers a unique opportunity for Tamaraws to experience global education and different cultures within a semester. NSYSU, a public university that boasts a culturally diverse environment and innovative research initiatives, is one of the esteemed international academic partners of FEU Diliman for its study abroad and student exchange programs.
Braving the Challenges
Growing up, Jen loved solving puzzles and math problems. She was always up for a challenge, and FEU Diliman’s competitive Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program perfectly fit her. The rigorous curriculum, tailored with courses designed to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam, motivated her to push her limits and strive for excellence—ultimately inspiring her to study abroad.
But this decision almost didn’t see the light of day. Jen submitted her application past the deadline, and IALAP had already sent the list of nominated students to NSYSU. Fortunately, the stars aligned in her favor when IALAP made a special request to nominate another student. After reconsideration, NSYSU approved the request.