Our first company visit was at Samsung Biologics, and if my plan of a career in Finance doesn’t work out – knock on wood – then I will definitely pursue a career in bioengineering. 

This company visit was, simply put, very cool. Visiting Samsung Biologics has left such an impression on me that I am genuinely interested in bioengineering now. Not only is Samsung such a large firm, with its name proudly stamped on so many things in Korea, but Samsung Biologics is sleek, efficient, and futuristic. It changed my entire perspective on Samsung, or at least on the Biologics division.

I was impressed with the fact that they have passed all their regulatory checks and inspections, which was due to their strong control over their firm. Seeing the plants themselves was very fascinating as well. For example, the fact that they don’t use nuts and bolts and how their pipes are all angled to make sure everything inside is constantly moving is the result of delicacy and preciseness.

Their efficiency in their development of products is quite amazing; the entire plant process is intriguing. To have raw materials that take perhaps two years to develop – due to the fact that their products are synthesized from living organisms – put under much care in order to protect the safety and health of consumers is a very delicate process, and the way Samsung Biologics conducts this is both stunning and beguiling.

Lunch was some filling bibimbap!

Seoul City Hall was our next stop. We visited both the new and old city halls, and one fun fact is that the new city hall was supposed to be very tall, but because its shadow could not cover the palace, its planned height was greatly reduced. The old city hall was turned into a library, with extra renovation going into making it a safe place for holding books and not a giant fire hazard. Inside Seoul City Hall, it was pleasant to see many people lounging about and going about their business in a calm, friendly manner. The environment of Seoul City Hall was very relaxed and soothing.

Our last visit was to the Seoul Global Startup Center, where many foreigners come to for support in starting up a business. There are many people who are from all different places around the world, making it a very diverse workplace. I already think that startups are tough in the US, and so I think that for foreigners from the US who pursue a startup in Korea have it extra difficult due to the fact that there is a vast difference in culture and language.

I strongly admire entrepreneurs; they have intense passion and a very unique entrepreneurial spirit that leads them to persist through hardships in order to reach their dreams and goals.

I am still on the search for something that drives me to have the same energy and intensity that entrepreneurs have. Whether I find that in the US or in Korea or elsewhere, only time can tell.