Maymester course gives students an immersive learning experience in South Korea

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A Maymester program gave 19 Penn State students the chance to spend the first two weeks of summer break in Seoul, South Korea, learning about the country’s rich and ever-evolving culture.

Titled “Sociology and Culture in Korea,” the program, led by Samuel Richards, teaching professor of sociology at University Park, Ben Park, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Brandywine, and Laurie Mulvey, associate clinical professor of sociology and director of World in Conversation at Penn State, provided students with a cross-cultural immersion study experience that paired them with students from Seoul’s Konkuk University.

The program not only allowed the students to build their knowledge of the country and its culture, but also gave them the opportunity to build lasting friendships via the buddy-system pairings with their South Korean counterparts.

Sydney Wideman, a third-year student double majoring in criminology and sociology with a minor in African American studies, said the buddy pairing helped her adjust and feel comfortable within a new, foreign environment.

“Our buddy brought us around the city and took us to her favorite locations and restaurants,” said Wideman, of Rockland County, New York. “I appreciated the buddy program because we were all able to learn from them and meet their friends and families. It enhanced the immersion aspect of the program greatly.”

Wideman chose to partake in the program because she always wanted to study abroad, but knew she wanted to go somewhere not as “popular” or well-traveled as Europe, she said. Knowing Seoul still had an authentic culture and was not entirely Westernized enticed her to choose the experience.

With their buddies, the Penn State students organized their own activity to visit the Han River. It turned out to be an ideal bonding experience.

“The Konkuk University students were friendly and simply wanted to hang out with us so we could all build a connection,” said Alexis Pupo, a fourth-year student majoring in political science and sociology and minoring in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). “If I ever needed anything, they would answer any question as best as possible.”

When the students arrived in Seoul, they moved into dormitories at Konkuk, beginning the immersion process immediately. Excursions and class lectures that hosted both Penn State and Konkuk students began the following day. Students participated in discussions geared around modern and traditional Korean culture and key differences between the United States and South Korea.

One lecture featured former South Korean and Singaporean United Nations Ambassador Joon Oh discussing global citizenship and human rights. Connor Eibach, a third-year student majoring in sociology and geography, said the conversation allowed him to better understand how educational environments affect the perspective of different global events. The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native had never traveled internationally before the program, and this realization strengthened his understanding of Korean culture.

“The Korean students were open to learning about us, where we are from and vice versa,” Eibach said. “Through some of the dialogues we did with Laurie and Sam, we discussed topics ranging from basic life differences to political involvement. We realized that we are all more similar than we are different. We are one species — humans, regardless of the borders that we tend to let define us in societies all around the world.”

In addition to the lectures, students had the opportunity to learn more about modern Korean “hallyu” or “Korean Wave” culture through trips to sites like the Seoul Broadcasting System headquarters and a K-drama shooting location for Studio S. The group also visited SM Entertainment and had a conversation with one of the CEOs, Chris Lee.

Eibach didn’t know much about the Korean entertainment industry, he said, so he enjoyed learning about how it has heavily influenced Korean culture. He was particularly struck by the overwhelming amount of kindness and respect he received during each visit.

“In Korea, kindness is so obvious. There seems to be a consensus within the Korean population that kindness and being welcoming is a given, even if it is a stranger,” said Eibach. “Everyone was willing to help each other navigate this environment better. Even with foreigners, they were open to learning about us to understand and help us.”

Beyond getting the opportunity to study abroad, Pupo used the experience to gain a deeper understanding of the history of South Korea and its citizens, he said. After graduating, the State College resident wants to return to South Korea to teach English.

“An important part of teaching English as a second language is understanding the culture your students are coming from,” said Pupo. “It is extremely important to me, as a teacher, to know and understand where my students are coming from so that I can be effective and mindful of instances in society that might affect them.”

As the program came to an end, the students all received personal letterman jackets from Konkuk University as a token of friendship.

“The administration at Konkuk was so kind,” said Eibach. “They were fully present throughout the entire program and provided Penn State students different experiences of their culture through a variety of gifts such as the letterman jackets and tickets to a concert they hosted where Psy, the artist of ‘Gangnam Style,’ performed.”

Although the program was only two weeks long, it nonetheless proved to be a transformative experience for the students.

“We are living in a global village,” said Richards. “South Korea is quickly becoming one of the world's key cultural hubs as K-culture grows in its importance around the world. This kind of experience can transform not only a student’s worldview but also their entire life.”