Wherever I go, I always carry my check card and international student ID, ISEC.

E.J. Lee, Woosong University

This was travel experience and review of Ms. Lee who was currently working as J1 Intern in the U.S after a leave of absence from University in Korea.

When – From Oct, 2018 to Jun, 2019
Where – Miami, Charlotte, San Diego, LA, Washington and New York in USA

Before going to USA, I ordered ISEC and brought ISEC card and a bank debit card wherever I go in the U.S.

I used it not only for mart and bar but also for identification when we receive Pay Check from the company. It was very convenient because I didn't have to carry my passport with me except when I was on the plane. Thank ISEC for allowing me to have a good experience and many benefits.

Miami(From 7 Oct to 9 Oct, 2018)

1st Day: Perez Science Museum – Bayside Mall – CVI.CHE 105 – Concrete Beach Brewery

Suddenly, I got a five-day holiday, looked for a bus right away, and left the next day. I was going to go to the art museum, but I bought a ticket to the science museum by mistake. I was lost for a long time because the two buildings were nearby and not properly listed on Google Maps. The admission fees are $25 for adults and $12 for students and I, of course, got the student discounts with ISEC. I ordered a Tasting Menu where I could sample four beers at the brewery. Even if you don't have a passport, you can prove your identity with ISEC student ID card.

2nd Day: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens – Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina – Dolphin Mall – Milanezza

I also received student discounts at Vizcaya Museum. The adult admission fee was $22 and student price was $15. The weather was very nice, and the outdoor garden was really pretty and wide. The wind was cool as it was connected to the sea in an open space. The Cuban restaurant put a bamboo-like plant called Sugar Cane in the mojito, which was amazing because it tasted sweet every time I chewed it. I shopped at Dolphin Mall for four hours, but the building was so big that I couldn't look around the whole place.

Charlotte(2019.01.25~26)

1 Day: Trade & Lore – Wells Fargo History Museum – Levine Museum of the New South – Zeppelin

I went on a trip at the time of Queen's Feast. After drinking the Draft coffee, which has melted American characteristics, I started a tour of the art museum. For Wells Fargo, admission was free but small. However, it is well-organized, and I was surprised to see the service of printing on stiff paper after taking pictures.The admission fee of Levine Museum of the New South was $10 for adults and $8 for students. On the first floor, there was an exhibition of old American figures, and on the second floor, there was an exhibition of demonstrations and racism. The entrance fee was not a waste at all, and it made me think a lot.

2 days: Freedom Park – Midwood Smokehouse – Julia’s Café

I went for a walk at Freedom Park, where there were fewer people than I thought, and went to a famous barbecue restaurant. With distinctive sauce and proper cooking, the food was excellent, but the ice smelled. Even though I ordered a soda, it was hard to drink because of the stench from the ice. I stopped by a book cafe and moved to Atlanta by night bus.

San Diego(2019.05.08~12)

1st day: Café 222 – Balboa Park – Caffe Calabria – Balboa Park – Gaslamp Quarter – Seaport Village

There were many botanical gardens, museums, and art galleries in Balboa Park, so we divided the schedule into two. When I got there, it didn't take much time than I thought, so I thought it would be okay to turn around at once. The Botanical Garden, Timken Museum of Art, and the Spanish Village Art Center were free of charge, but donations were available for photo museums, while the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Anthropology have been charged. Admission to Spanish Village Art Center costs $15 for adults, $8 for students. The admission fee of Timken Museum of Art was $13 for adults and $8 for students. Likewise, I went in with a student discount using my ISEC student ID card.

2nd day: Gaslamp Quarter – Seaport Village

I visited Gaslamp Quarter and the name was originated from the installation of gas-powered streetlights in the early 20th century. There was not much to see, but there were plenty of nice bars and restaurants. The Seaport Village is a small space located next to the port, with a cute local shovel and the Kissing Sailor Statue nearby, making it a famous tourist destination.

Los Angeles(2019.05.12~15)

LA seemed to have many places to visit when I researched beforehand, but when I went there, there were not many places to visit than I expected. I put in a schedule of 3 nights and 4 days, but I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain one day, and I still have time left. The LA County Museum of Art has admission fees of $25 for adults and $21 for students. There were more than 10,000 exhibits in nine buildings of The LA County Museum of Art, but I just took pictures at the entrance due to poor reviews. The admission to Griffith Observatory was $7 for adults and $5 for students. Of course, I got student discounts with my ISEC student ID. It was a very useful one.

New York(2019.06.01~07)

New York was a city that I wanted to visit once while living in America. I watched musicals on Broadway, shopped at Times Square, saw the sunset in front of the Statue of Liberty, and saw the night view in Dumbo. I also received student discounts through ISEC at Metropolitan and Museum of Modern Art. Most people usually bought a city tour passes, but if you were a student and had ISECard, it was much cheaper to pay admission fees for each place you visit than to use a pass.