Tae the New Yorker — First Half of 2024 Retrospective

It felt like a good day to write a retrospective, and even though a bit of laziness crept in as I started, I decided to do it anyway. Looking back on the first half of this year, the biggest event was clearly my exchange semester in New York. Alongside that, the Samsung Biologics Winter Camp and a series of trips filled the rest of my months.

Samsung Biologics Winter Camp

On January 16, just before leaving for my exchange semester, I joined the Samsung Biologics winter camp. While the camp was naturally designed to promote the company and encourage applications, it left me with a different takeaway: if even the largest biotech company in Korea hires very few research staff, then it might be difficult to pursue a research career domestically in my field. That said, Samsung Biologics still impressed me with the benefits and support you would expect from a top-tier company.

NYU Exchange Semester

I departed from Incheon on January 20 and, after a 48-hour journey, arrived in New York. My main goals were to explore neighborhoods I might live in, look into graduate schools, and travel. I connected with many people through Instagram and made a lot of friends via NYU clubs — especially a group called Encounter, which made my life in New York richer and warmer.

Lecture Experience

Lectures at NYU felt incredibly student-friendly and supportive. Professor Surry’s Organic Chemistry II and Biostatistics courses, in particular, were inspiring. The overall approach was quite different from what I was used to at KAIST. I still remember making “cheat sheets” while preparing for exams.

Travel Highlights

New York itself was one big destination, but I also traveled nearly every weekend. Here are some of the most memorable trips:

• Québec Trip: Montreal and Québec City — visiting McGill University, a laser show at Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Québec Winter Carnival.
• Southeast Trip: Puerto Rico, Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta — from Old San Juan to Disney World and more.
• Washington, D.C.: Exploring historic sites and learning about the political heart of the U.S.
• Chicago: City adventures with friends, plus a side visit to Madison.
• Niagara: Niagara Falls and Toronto — witnessing nature’s power up close.
• West Coast & Beyond: San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii — a mix of iconic landscapes and vibrant cities.

The first half of 2024 was filled with learning and movement. These experiences helped me clarify my goals and solidify what I want to pursue next.