Samantha Kao, '28, Undeclared, Seoul National University-International Summer Program (SNU-ISP) (Tuition Waiver), Summer 2025

This summer, I had the opportunity to go to Korea for a month for the Seoul National University International Summer Program with the assistance of the Korea Institute. Being interested in the diversity of languages and cultures, I really appreciated that the program allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of both Korean history and the daily life of local people, which reflected Korean culture.
I took the courses Understanding Global Competitiveness of Korean Companies and Korean Language. Having never taken any Korean courses, I only self-studied a bit of Korean before the placement test offered by the program. Although my language skills were really shaky at the beginning, learning grammar points in a structured way and practicing conversations with the teacher and peers were helpful in building my language skills. The instructor focused on equipping us with language ability that we could actually use to talk with other people, rather than simply aiming for a grade or a certain assessment level. I was glad that I could improve my language skills substantially after the program, and I look forward to taking Korean and culture or literature classes after returning to Harvard.

In the business course Understanding Global Competitiveness of Korean Companies, I learned general business theories and had the opportunity to visit Korean corporations such as Hyundai and Nongshim. I was able to talk to the managers and learn how the companies operate and their strategies for entering international markets. Through working on group projects with Korean students, I was able not only to gain perspectives from Korean people on these corporations that support a large part of their country’s economy, but also to develop deeper insights into Korean culture and college life. I also appreciated the professor’s way of teaching—interacting with students and hearing their opinions. I learned a lot from both the instructors and my peers, gaining firsthand perspectives on my questions about business models and the national economy in Korea.

I greatly enjoyed the field trips offered by the program and the time to explore the city after class. Visiting the DMZ, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the National Museum of Korea was very informative, as I was able to learn much about Korean politics and history. On campus, I especially valued the location of SNU. Because the Gwanak area is further away from other touristy spots, I felt I was able to better experience and observe local culture. During the commute to the city center by subway, I enjoyed becoming familiar with the Korean public transportation system and observing social norms.

The summer program was both enjoyable and meaningful. I gained new inspirations from my learning over the past month, and I look forward to the future journeys and learning paths. I am grateful for this chance to explore and engage with Korean culture while studying in Korea.