Nuri Choi

Overall Experience

The K-Culture Study Abroad program was a highly meaningful experience that allowed me to grow personally and learn in many different ways. It was an ambitious program in which a team of four undergraduate students, three graduate students, and two faculty members traveled to five cities in Korea over the course of 14 days. As a Graduate Assistant, I supported the operation of the program and took on a variety of responsibilities. Through this role, I was able to learn a great deal. In particular, I had opportunities to communicate with the students more closely beyond the usual interactions that take place in a classroom. By traveling and participating in cultural activities together, I learned how to better understand and support students as an educator. I was also able to observe the process through which the students experienced Korea as both tourists and learners, developed a deeper understanding of Korean culture, and gradually formed an emotional attachment to the country. Witnessing this process firsthand inspired me as a researcher and encouraged me to consider new research topics and perspectives.

Learning experience

The most valuable learning experience was developing genuine relationships with the undergraduate students and observing their growth throughout the program. I believe that the knowledge students gain at a university is not limited to academic content learned in classrooms or textbooks. In the age of AI, students can access a great deal of information and knowledge outside of the university. However, universities remain important because they provide students with meaningful experiences and human connections that cannot be easily replaced. Through this program, the students learned about a new culture, built relationships with people from different backgrounds, and worked together to organize and complete a shared 14-day journey. They also developed greater confidence and independence by adapting to unexpected situations and supporting one another. Watching the students grow through these experiences made me reflect on the broader meaning of higher education. I learned that one of the most important roles of a university is not simply to deliver knowledge, but to help students experience new environments, build meaningful relationships, and develop the practical and interpersonal skills needed in life.

Memorable experience

There were many memorable moments during the program, but the most meaningful experience for me was seeing the students smile and genuinely enjoy Korean culture. Whenever I saw them wearing hanbok, trying Korean food, and directly experiencing local history and culture, I was reminded of the value of the program. It was especially impressive to see how the students, who were initially cautious in an unfamiliar cultural environment, gradually became more willing to ask questions, try new foods, and communicate naturally with Korean students. Rather than one particular destination or activity, the moments when the students sincerely enjoyed Korea, shared their experiences with one another, and laughed together will remain the most memorable to me.

What did you not expect?

One of the most unexpected and surprising aspects of the program was the active participation and warm hospitality of the Korean university students. Through the buddy program, Iowa State University students had opportunities to interact with Korean students in each city. The Korean students actively approached the ISU students, initiated conversations, introduced local culture and university life, and participated sincerely in the program. I was especially impressed by the thoughtful way they helped international students feel comfortable in a new environment. This experience taught me that the success of an international program depends not only on a well-organized schedule or attractive tourism resources, but also on the genuine participation of local students and the development of meaningful human relationships. In the future, when planning educational programs or research projects, I will focus not only on providing information and activities, but also on creating opportunities for local residents and visitors to build authentic connections.

What advice would you give?

I strongly encourage students to participate in a short-term international program when they have the opportunity. Even a brief period of living in another country and directly experiencing its culture can provide new perspectives and confidence that are difficult to gain in a classroom. For graduate students, such a program can be a valuable opportunity to learn how international education programs are planned and operated, support undergraduate students, and gain experience that may help them organize similar programs in the future. There is also great value in participating in a study abroad program that takes place in one’s own home country. It allows students to view a familiar country from the perspective of tourists and international visitors and to rediscover the cultural and tourism resources of their own country. For undergraduate students, this type of program offers more than an opportunity to travel. It allows them to briefly experience life in another country and consider whether studying or living there for a longer period might be a good fit for them. I highly recommend approaching the experience with an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to actively engage with new people and cultures.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience had a significant impact on my personal and educational goals, as well as on my long-term career direction. On a personal level, I wanted to view my home country, Korea, not through the familiar perspective of a local resident but through the eyes of tourists and international students. By closely observing how the students experienced and interpreted Korean culture and tourism destinations, I gained many new research ideas related to tourism experiences, cultural learning, and place attachment. The students and faculty members I met at five universities across five Korean cities also became valuable connections that may lead to future academic exchange and research collaboration. In particular, the enthusiasm and active participation demonstrated by the Korean students allowed me to see their potential as future research collaborators. In the long term, I hope to maintain the relationships formed through this program and contribute to creating more opportunities for students in the United States and Korea to interact and learn from one another. This experience strengthened my goal of serving as an educator and researcher who connects international education programs, student exchange, and academic collaboration.

How did you learn about this experience?

I first learned about this international opportunity through the recommendation of my advisor, Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee suggested that the program would be valuable for developing both my educational experience and research interests. I also believed that participating as a Graduate Assistant and supporting the program would be a meaningful opportunity.

International Connections