Name of activity/programme/experience
Study trip to Seoul. For our final project, we partnered with the Korea Creative Content Agency to promote traditional Korean performances to a foreign audience.
What motivated you to participate in this programme/activity?
I was motivated to challenge myself beyond conversational Korean by applying the language in a professional setting. The opportunity to promote Korean performance culture to foreign audiences aligned closely with my interest in arts management and community engagement.
A brief description of your overall experience
Partnering with the Korea Creative Content Agency, my team developed a concept to promote traditional Korean performances to foreigners. During our Seoul trip, we conducted site visits, met industry partners, and refined our proposal based on real-world constraints, ultimately creating an interactive Samul Nori (a traditional Korean percussion performance) installation mockup. Visits to cultural landmarks and museums further deepened my appreciation of Korea’s historical and artistic heritage, enriching our project’s cultural authenticity.
How did/would this experience add value to your SMU education and/or professional development?
I feel that this experience has bolstered both my business Korean skills and my confidence in working within the field of arts management. It strengthened my business Korean proficiency and confidence in client-facing settings while deepening my understanding of cross-cultural communication and cultural marketing. I gained practical insights into how cultural products are tailored for foreign markets, aligning perfectly with my interest in community engagement through the arts.
Why Asia? What advice would you give to juniors or fellow students who are considering a similar experience?
Asia’s dynamic creative industries provide invaluable opportunities to engage with culture in context rather than theory alone. Although working with an industry partner in an unfamiliar country may seem daunting, I strongly encourage fellow students to take the leap as such experiences provide precious real-world exposure, broaden perspectives, and foster meaningful friendships with classmates through shared challenges abroad.
