As Korea’s national university entrance exam — the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) — concluded this month, many students and families began turning their attention to one of the most important decisions ahead: choosing the right university pathway. With fluctuating exchange rates, stricter U.S. visa processes, and rising international tuition costs, studying directly in the United States has become more challenging for many students.

Against this backdrop, the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC), located in Songdo International City, Incheon, South Korea, has drawn growing attention as a unique alternative. UAC offers students the opportunity to complete the same curriculum as the Salt Lake City campus while beginning their studies in Korea—and earning an official University of Utah degree. Students may transfer to the home campus when they choose, allowing them to pursue U.S. study based on timing and circumstance rather than external limitations.

Today, many UAC graduates are working in global organizations across Korea and the United States. Their stories illustrate how a hybrid Utah education—rooted in English-based coursework, active learning, and professional experience—equips students with adaptable, workplace-ready skills.

Below, three alumni share how Utah shaped their careers in HR, global marketing, and entertainment media.

“Learning Through Questions Changed How I Work”: Sangyeop Alex An, HR Division, SK ecoplant (Korea)

After entering UAC in 2016 and completing his degree at the Salt Lake City campus in 2022, Sangyeop Alex An began his career in one of Korea’s leading global corporations. Today, he works in the HR Devision at SK ecoplant, where he oversees performance evaluation and compensation strategy.

An credits UAC’s inquiry-driven and discussion-based classroom culture for reshaping how he analyzes problems and communicates at work.

Classes weren’t about memorizing content. Every session was 90 minutes of questions and dialogue with the professor. I learned to explain why something happens, not just what it is.”

Because UAC and the Utah home campus follow the same curriculum and standards—including the U.S.-style emphasis on absolute grading—An said he was encouraged to focus on growth rather than comparison.

After graduation, he interned on the HR team at Tesla’s headquarters, where all HR communication takes place in English. His years of English-based coursework, team projects, and presentations at UAC made it possible to adapt quickly.

Global communication isn’t just about language. It’s about expressing ideas clearly and understanding cultural nuance. Those are skills I developed at UAC and the home campus, and they’ve become a real advantage at a Korean global company.”

“Cross-Industry Experience Became My Strength”: Dawon Ryou, Marketing Account Coordinator, POSCO AAPC (USA)

While An built his career in Korea, Dawon Ryou chose the opposite path—beginning her professional journey in the United States. A Communication major who also completed a Documentary Studies minor, Ryou gained early exposure to industries ranging from media production to beauty branding and journalism.

These experiences became essential when she joined POSCO AAPC, the U.S. branch of POSCO, one of Korea’s major steel producers. Ryou collaborates with North American clients—including major domestic and regional steel companies—managing coil processing timelines, coordinating logistics, and facilitating communication between manufacturing sites and clients.

UAC encouraged us to step outside our major and seek real industry experience. That flexibility helped me navigate various work environments, and it now allows me to communicate effectively with partners from different cultural backgrounds.”

Ryou also noted that leadership roles on campus—such as planning student events and supporting career programs—gave her practical experience in teamwork and professional communication that directly supports her work today.

“Adaptability Comes From Constant Practice”: Ye-eun Choi, Film & Media Arts ’25, Marketing Team Specializing in Global K-Pop Content (USA)

For Ye-eun Choi, who completed her Film & Media Arts degree at Utah in Summer 2025, studying at UAC became the starting point for a career in the U.S. entertainment industry. She now works in Los Angeles on the marketing team at hello82, a company specializing in global K-pop content and fan experiences.

As a Film & Media student, Choi built her portfolio through hands-on assignments and production-based coursework. UAC faculty encouraged students to gain real experience by joining industry projects, filming on location, and building creative portfolios early.

UAC professors consistently encouraged us to try new things and step into real projects. By the time I graduated, I had worked with various studios, brands, and production teams. That practical experience made my transition into U.S. entertainment marketing much smoother.”

The challenge of U.S. job-seeking—and how Utah helped

Choi shared candidly that job-hunting in the U.S. as an international student was not easy.

Visas limited the roles she could apply for, and hiring processes differed significantly from Korea. What made the difference, she said, was UAC’s Career Services—both in Songdo and in Salt Lake City—and structured mentoring from Utah alumni.

They didn’t just check my portfolio. They taught me how to structure my strengths, tell my story, and prepare for interviews. Their guidance gave me the confidence to approach companies proactively.”

Rather than applying passively, Choi researched companies, networked with professionals via LinkedIn, and reached out directly to recruiters.

I learned that opportunities don’t appear—you create them. That mindset was the turning point.”

A U.S. Education With Flexibility—and Pathways Across Borders

Across Korea and the United States, Utah Asia Campus graduates are working in HR, entertainment media, global logistics, strategy, and communications roles. Their experiences reinforce the value of UAC’s hybrid model:

• Complete Utah’s curriculum in Korea

• Receive the same Utah degree as home campus students

• Transfer to the Salt Lake City campus when ready

• Build English-language and cross-cultural communication skills daily

• Gain practical experience through internships and campus roles

In an era when traditional U.S. study routes face growing logistical and financial challenges, UAC offers students a stable starting point that can expand into a Korea-based career or a U.S.-based one—depending on each student’s goals.

As Choi puts it:

Global careers aren’t built in a straight line. What matters is staying open, trying new things, and giving yourself the chance to grow. UAC helped me do exactly that.”