The two weeks I spent in South Korea were some of the busiest, most overwhelming and exciting weeks of my life. In addition to touring companies in a wide range of areas, I learned a lot about South Korean history and culture and how these directly impact the workplace environment. I gained a greater understanding of the possibilities of engineering, as well as the importance of lifelong, multidisciplinary learning.
One of my favorite visits of the trip was to Hyundai Motor Company, where we got to see the inner workings of a car factory in action. I usually push against the overwhelming association that mechanical engineers have with cars, because there are dozens of possible industries, but seeing all of the moving parts in the factory working seamlessly to create a final product was more fascinating than I would have imagined. I was especially interested in Hyundai’s research with electric cars, as they try to create a more sustainable mode of transportation. One of the first things that drew me to engineering was the possibility of improving the world – and though I’m not sure which specific industry I want to go into after I graduate, it’s important to me that my work could help create a more sustainable future. This topic was touched on a lot through my first year in the engineering program, as we discussed ethics in the world of engineering. I think that engineers have a duty to improve people’s lives not only currently, but for generations to come – so even if an innovation or technology is extremely efficient, smart, or groundbreaking, it cannot truly be considered “good engineering” if it doesn’t consider the resources and future of the world around it. Because of this, I was really happy to learn a bit about electric cars in South Korea and would love to have more sustainable products shown in future programs. Throughout our trip I noticed other signs of an emphasis on the environment, most particularly through the prevalence of solar panels. From the staggering city hall in Seoul to an ordinary roadside rest area, solar panels seemed to be everywhere, and I definitely wish that was more of a priority in the states.
Another difference between South Korea and the USA that I was continually aware of during the trip was the attitude towards work life. Multiple companies that we toured invest tremendous resources in their employees, from healthcare to gym memberships to in-building grocery stores and post offices. I really don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it’s possible to live in the NAVER office. And while providing services and support to employees is incredibly important, exploring South Korea made me realize that supplying too many resources could be detrimental for workers as well. Dr. Yun echoed this when he described how much happier he was in the US with his approach to a work-life balance, something there definitely seems to be a lack of in South Korea. Koreans have a reputation for being extremely hardworking, focused, busy people, which I definitely saw evidence of during my time there. This aspect of Korean culture is tied to the country’s history – it wasn’t too long ago that South Korea was considered a 3rdworld country, and the meteoric rise in its economy and cultural influence is most likely due to the attitudes and efforts of its citizens.
A few other differences that were shown throughout our trip were respect for elders (both in actions and through language choice), a deep alignment with group identity (everywhere from car color choice to eating shared meals), and a commitment to preserving (or, when necessary, reconstructing) ancient stories, sites and buildings.
Exposure to different lifestyles and beliefs is the core component of studying abroad and being immersed in Korean culture for two weeks both challenged me and broadened my perspective on what life is like for people halfway across the world. As technologies and companies becomes more globalized, working with people from different countries and backgrounds is becoming increasingly common. This importance was definitely emphasized throughout our trip, and I find myself even more motivated to travel and learn beyond my comfort zone. However, something I didn’t expect from this trip was how much I would learn from the members of my own group. As an engineering student, it’s really easy to get stuck in an “engineering bubble” and spend the majority of the time with other engineering majors. Before this trip, I had seen the business school as one monolithic place, never considering that there would be such an array of tracks similar to Swanson. The business students in my group are pursuing such diverse paths with so much drive and enthusiasm, and I came away from my team with a renewed sense of passion for my own future plans.
My time in South Korea felt so much longer than two weeks, and I still wish I could have stayed a few days more. I am incredibly grateful for the adventures I’ve had, the beautiful and meaningful places I’ve visited, and the friends I’ve met. Thank you for the most wonderful two weeks, South Korea – I can’t wait to come back!