Madison Dohlman

Overall Experience

My study abroad experience in South Korea was one of the most rewarding and transformative opportunities of my college career, completely shifting my identity from a rigid perfectionist into an adaptable, globally minded designer. It challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone, pushing me past my initial anxieties regarding an intense language barrier and media-warped stereotypes about homogeneous body types. By immersing myself in the everyday culture of Seoul, I discovered that authentic human connection entirely transcends a native vocabulary, while navigating an internet-free stay in traditional mountain housing taught me to trade digital distractions for true environmental presence. Beyond exploring incredible destinations, the experience helped me grow in confidence, self-awareness, and independence as I learned to protect my personal boundaries against a frantic pace and calmly pivot in unpredictable settings. It is an opportunity that has permanently strengthened my commitment to cultural mindfulness and historical empathy, and I will carry these lessons with me into my future professional work for the rest of my life.

Learning experience

Looking back at my time abroad, the most valuable learning experience I encountered was the stark contrast between my genuine, daily interactions with local Korean students and the rigid, rushed itinerary forced upon us by a tour guide in Busan. Before the trip, I was incredibly anxious that the language barrier would completely isolate me, but the immense kindness and patience of the local students quickly shattered that fear, proving that authentic human connection goes way beyond having a perfect native vocabulary. On the flip side, being rushed through beautiful destinations just to hit a strict schedule made me realize that an inflexible structure can easily ruin an amazing environment. This friction completely shifted my perspective, teaching me that a meaningful travel experience isn't defined by how famous a destination is, but by the human element. Ultimately, this journey helped me transition from being anxious to feeling grounded and present.

Memorable experience

Reflecting on my time in South Korea, the most memorable and transformative aspect of the entire program was my daily interaction with the local Korean students. Before departing, I was incredibly anxious that the language barrier would isolate me and severely hinder my ability to connect with others. However, the immense kindness, patience, and profound willingness of the local students to co-create mutual understanding completely shattered those initial fears, proving that genuine human connection easily transcends a lack of perfect native vocabulary. Beyond this pivotal realization, my journey was further shaped by distinct turning points that challenged my assumptions and fostered personal growth. On day 3, simply walking the streets of Seoul and observing everyday people completely dismantled the monolithic, media-warped stereotypes I held about South Korean body types, allowing me to view the local population through a much more authentic and respectful lens. In the end, these experiences helped me transition from a place of heavy anxiety to one of grounded presence, teaching me to prioritize mutual respect and adaptability as I develop into a more globally minded professional.

What did you not expect?

Before embarking on this journey, my mindset was weighed down by heavy apprehension regarding the severe language barrier. As a fashion design student, my academic identity had always been defined by a lens of rigid determination and strict perfectionism, leading me to assume that an inability to speak the native tongue would act as an overwhelming professional and creative roadblock. However, I was very surprised by the immense kindness, patience, and willingness of the local Korean students to co-create mutual understanding, which completely shattered my pre-departure anxieties. This experience taught me that genuine human connection, much like design itself, exceeds perfect vocabulary and structural barriers. This realization has fundamentally transformed how I plan to approach both my profession and my personal life. Professionally, I am trading my rigid, inflexible standards for a fluid capacity to calmly pivot in unpredictable settings, allowing me to return home as a more adaptable, globally minded designer who prioritizes mutual respect and human dignity over unyielding timelines. Personally, navigating the intense homesickness of being separated from my core support systems has solidified my emotional independence and internal maturity. Moving forward, I am intentionally leaving behind my reliance on digital safety blankets to remain secure, choosing instead to trust my resilience, protect my personal boundaries, and approach global spaces as an ethical, culturally competent, and fully present observer.

What advice would you give?

If you have even a passing interest in studying abroad, my advice is to absolutely pursue it. It is a transformative experience that few people get the chance to have. Start by researching programs in your dream destination—you will likely find an existing match. If you don't, reach out to the study abroad office; you might be surprised to find you can help pioneer a new program or petition for approval. Most importantly, once you get there, remember to just have fun and make the absolute most out of every moment of your experience.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This 14-day program in South Korea profoundly impacted my life, helping me transition from an anxious, perfectionist student to a resilient, grounded individual and fundamentally reshaping my personal, educational, and long-term career goals. Personally, the experience taught me to step outside my comfort zone, handle intense homesickness, and confidently advocate for my own well-being and environmental boundaries. Educationally, it shifted my academic identity away from rigid, inflexible standards and toward a fluid capacity to calmly pivot in unpredictable settings, while also teaching me to approach new cultures with active historical empathy rather than as a passive consumer. These personal and educational shifts directly fuel my long-term career goals as a future fashion design professional, where I am now committed to leading with cultural mindfulness, championing realistic body diversity over media-warped stereotypes, and ensuring my collaborative work is always anchored in human dignity and mutual respect.

How did you learn about this experience?

I was initially set to participate in a different study abroad program, but it was unfortunately canceled due to low enrollment. Along with the cancellation notice, our advisor shared alternative programs for students who still wished to travel. That is how I first discovered the K-Culture Study Abroad program. The more I researched the itinerary and curriculum, the more compelled I felt to apply. I immediately submitted my application and was thrilled to be accepted into the program.

International Connections