Coming to Korea for the First Time
When I first came to Korea, I expected it to be a temporary experience. I thought I would spend one semester abroad, return to Utah, and continue life as normal. Instead, Korea slowly became a second home, leading me to return multiple times, graduate from U Asia Campus, and begin building my career and future here.
In the beginning, I chose the University of Utah because of its campus in South Korea. I had always dreamed of studying abroad and improving my Korean skills, but at the time, I only planned on staying for one semester. I honestly did not even realize that students could stay longer than that. After learning from a U Asia Campus staff member that I could continue studying in Korea instead of returning to Salt Lake City, everything changed. What originally felt like a temporary experience slowly started to feel like home.
It honestly felt a little like fate because I had just changed my major to Strategic Communication, and it happened to be one of the few majors offered at the Asia Campus at the time. Since my major was offered there, I was able to stay as long as I wanted. So, I did.
Adjusting to Life in Korea
Over time, the small everyday experiences were what made Korea start to feel familiar to me. What once felt intimidating and unfamiliar slowly became normal. Things like taking the subway alone, ordering food in Korean, and navigating daily life became much easier with time, even though they felt overwhelming in the beginning. Late-night trips to convenience stores, exploring Seoul with friends, and traveling around Korea became part of my daily life. Looking back now, those small moments ended up becoming some of my favorite memories from studying abroad.
For students considering studying abroad in Korea, one thing I wish I knew earlier is that it is okay to feel uncomfortable at first. Adjusting to a different culture, language, and lifestyle takes time, and nobody expects you to have everything figured out immediately. The more I pushed myself to explore, ask questions, and experience new things, the easier life in Korea became.
Finding Opportunities in Korea
During my time in Korea, I also had the opportunity to complete an internship in Gangnam at a startup company. I worked there for six months, and it ended up becoming one of the most influential experiences I had while studying abroad. It gave me a glimpse into what working in Korea could actually look like and helped me realize that this is where I want to live and work in the future.
The internship also taught me a lot about finding opportunities as a foreigner in Korea. I realized very quickly that getting involved outside of class can make a huge difference for students who are interested in building a career in Korea after graduation.
I stayed in Korea for almost two years before returning to the Salt Lake City campus to work and complete some upper-level classes. But by then, I was already attached to life in Korea. No matter what happened while I was back in America, I knew I wanted to return and eventually build a future here.
Returning to Korea
Coming back to Korea after spending time at the Salt Lake City campus felt completely different from my first arrival. Before, everything felt unfamiliar and overwhelming. But when I returned, it honestly felt as if I had never left. Even though parts of campus and Songdo had changed, it still felt familiar to me.
As I continued studying at the Asia Campus, I also became more professionally involved through internships, networking events, company visits, and classes. Through these experiences, I was able to learn more about Korea’s work environment, especially within digital marketing and the beauty industry.
As a result, I recently received an internship offer from a Korean skincare company, and I could not be more excited to begin.
Advice for Future Students
One piece of advice I would give future exchange students is to say yes to opportunities, even when they feel intimidating at first. Some of the experiences that impacted me the most came from situations I never originally planned for, whether that was applying for internships, attending networking events, or simply exploring Korea with friends.
I also think it is important to get involved as much as possible outside of class. Some of my most valuable experiences came from internships, school events, and meeting people through U Asia Campus. Those opportunities not only helped me professionally but also helped me feel more connected to life in Korea.
Graduation and Looking Ahead
Now, as I prepare to graduate from U Asia Campus, it feels strange looking back at how quickly everything happened. What started as a single semester abroad slowly turned into years of memories, experiences, friendships, and opportunities that completely changed my future.
Of course, there is still a lot of uncertainty that comes with graduating and trying to build a career as a foreigner in Korea. Finding jobs, preparing visas, and planning for the future can definitely feel stressful at times. But despite that uncertainty, I still feel excited about what comes next.
Studying abroad in Korea ended up becoming so much more than I ever expected. It not only changed where I studied but also changed the direction of my future. What once felt temporary slowly became a place that now feels like home, and I hope to continue building my life and career here after graduation.
– Written by Lillianna Martinescu, Spring 2026 Communications Intern at Marketing & Communications Center, University of Utah Asia Campus (Reviewed & edited by Yoonji Kim, Senior Communications Specialist, University of Utah Asia Campus)
