Students get up-close view of South Korean culture during faculty-led program

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In May, students enrolled in the SOC/HDFS/ASIA 499 Sociology and Culture in Korea faculty-led program had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, and immerse themselves in the coursework they completed during the spring semester.

For the past three years, the course has been led by Sam Richards, teaching professor of sociology in the College of the Liberal Arts, Laurie Mulvey, clinical professor of sociology in the College of the Liberal Arts, and Ben Park, professor of health and human development at Penn State Brandywine, students spent several weeks building their understanding and appreciation of South Korean life, focusing on the ethos of the Korean entertainment industry (aka “K-entertainment”) and the country’s changing culture.

The course was one of 14 faculty-led education abroad programs offered by the College of the Liberal Arts this summer.

“Cultural immersion isn’t just exposure to food, language or popular culture,” Park said. “It allows students to experience the cultural values, social relationships, traditions and everyday practices that have shaped Korean society. Students gain a deeper appreciation of why Korean cultural products resonate globally.”

Richards and Mulvey were unable to go abroad with the students, so their former student, Darniesha Pressley, now classroom manager of Richards’ SOC 119N Race, Ethnicity, and Culture course and operations assistant for World in Conversation, went in their place.

On May 11, the group arrived in Seoul, where they settled into their dorms at Konkuk University, met fellow participants and partnered up with a Konkuk student who served as their “Korea buddy” and helped them navigate their new surroundings.

After the students settled in, their two weeks in South Korea consisted of many adventures and lessons. In the mornings, they attended lectures touching on topics of Korean culture and were able to compare them to various cultures within the United States. From there, their afternoons were spent visiting markets, museums, government buildings and palaces.

During their free time, the students met up with their Korea buddies to explore other parts of the city.

Aidan King, a third-year student majoring in kinesiology with a minor in psychology, said he observed many differences between South Korean and American culture as the group engaged in a number of fun activities, including visiting the film studio CJ Entertainment, attending a K-pop festival hosted by Konkuk, enjoying a baseball game, and exploring various other parts of the city.

King said he engaged with other elements of South Korean culture that were different from back home. For example, he said, while it’s common for people to talk on subways in the U.S., in South Korea riders opt for silence when riding public transportation, a practice meant to demonstrate their respect, humility and self-restraint.

“Going to Korea has widened my worldview in regards to culture,” King said. “In the future, I want to work with people all over the world who have a variety of stories. I value learning about people and their backgrounds. To have a touchstone of some Asian culture could be a fun way to relate.”

Pressley said she noticed differences as well. After assisting the group during their planned activities, the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications alumna was excited to explore Seoul solo.

Although she didn’t have a Korea buddy, navigating the city was easy, she said. If she needed help, locals were more than willing to point her in the right direction or give her tips.

“I wasn’t shocked going to Seoul,” Pressley said. “It’s just like going to New York City, but everything is in a different language. Seoul is a city where something is always happening. You can have a full day of sightseeing and get back by 8 in the evening then go back out and be gone until 5 in the morning!”

Enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network played a big role in allowing criminology student Zenell Mangal to participate in the program.

“I am grateful that the College of the Liberal Arts helped me succeed in this experience by providing me with enrichment funding,” Mangal said. “It took away the financial stress of paying for the program, and I was able to have an amazing trip.”

After teaching the course for the fourth time, Richards said he continues to gain a deeper appreciation for the program.

“Every year, I have enjoyed watching students open up to a new culture, get excited to develop new friendships with Konkuk students and teach one another about their cultures,” Richards said. “Unlike some other study abroad experiences, this course teaches students that in order to understand culture, they have to interact and befriend people first.”