Studying abroad in South Korea was filled with beautiful sites and cultural experiences, but promoted my greatest growth as a young professional with hopes to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The accounting industry is increasing in complexity with regulations consistently emerging and high expectations set for employee performance, thus ethical issues may arise in…

International travel requires an ability and willingness to adapt to a change in plans at any given time. This challenge arose during departure from South Korea, wherein domestic flights were delayed for the returning Plus3 Program, creating inconveniences for all. Nonetheless, I loved my time exploring this nation in Southeast Asia. I grew both professionally…

The final full day in Busan was bittersweet, filled with excitement to continue exploring the city, but sadness about the pending departure from the beautiful country of South Korea. My day began by roaming the seemingly endless floors of a Lotte department store, demonstrating the success of the South Korean retail industry as one of…

A unique experience of the Plus3 Korea Program was the opportunity to visit the U.S. Consulate in Busan, and attend a presentation with American Diplomat, Daniel Gedacht. Gedacht provided insight regarding the mission and representation of the United States in South Korea ranging from a diverse sphere of political, economic, and cultural affairs. Gedacht discussed…

With the emergence of heavy industries in Korea, improving both safety and efficiency have become a focus in developing as leader within an industry. The Plus3 Korea Program visited two sites relating to these objectives, which were Trainer Korea and Busan New Container Terminal. Trainer Korea is a Norwegian organization based in Busan, focusing on…

Hyundai Motors has a distinct brand identity, known for providing safe, quality vehicles. This craft could easily be considered an art. In fact, the designs of Hyundai have been considered art, with the company partnering with museums to showcase the craftsmanship of the automobile. This strong brand identity and commitment to excellence made visiting the…

“How do goods get from Point A to Point B?” While this question is complicated by political, economic, social, and technological factors, most goods possess a great similarity: moving through a supply chain! I find supply chains interesting due to the practicality of industry objectives to increase efficiency and goals to satisfy the upstream, or…

The ancient Silla capitol, now known as Gyeongju, is a breathtaking site in Korea. Preserved well through government ordinances, the low roof architecture of the city transports you back in time to a period of ancient wonders like the Cheomseongdae observatory tower and the Bulguska Buddhist Temple. Other fascinating sites in Gyeongju included Cheonmachong and…

Upon arrival, I instantly fell in love with Seoul, which made bidding the city farewell disheartening. From spending a week in this city, I quickly acclimated to Korean cultural norms and gained insight about the nature of Korean collectivism. One of the first social cues I inquired about in Seoul was the custom for the…

“When satellites take pictures of the Korean Peninsula at night, the South is awash in light. The North is almost completely dark. . . We want all the Koreans to live in light.” This powerful statement was made by the 43rd U.S. President, George Bush, when he visited Dorasan Station. This train station was the…

Today provided a unique experience in my journey from the classroom, to the city, to the world as I had the opportunity to tour NAVER. NAVER is the number 1 search engine in South Korea, and has built this success through a focus on the localization of services. Due to NAVER’s founding in Korea, this…

The Korean people have a phrase that describes the fast-pace of both personal and professional life known as “pali-pali,” or “hurry hurry.” I adhered to this attitude as I had a “busy busy” agenda for the day, filled with a site visits to Samsung Biologics, Seoul City Hall, and Seoul Global Startup Center. Samsung Biologics…

“We make tomorrow.” While this phrase would accurately describe the technological drive and focus in Korean society, it is a motto specific to Hanyang University, a site which the Plus3 Korea Program was welcomed at today. A kind reception was provided by the office for international students, which included an overview of Hanyang’s history and…

Waking up in Seoul, South Korea is an amazing feeling. When one rises in Seoul, they know that they will be fortunate to enjoy captivating cultural sites, thriving businesses, and delightful food. I experienced all of these joys today through embarking on a guided Royal Palace Tour and Seoul Symbolic Tour with all students of…

When I was greeted with smiling faces, delightful aromas of exotic foods, and colorful digital advertisements on the street, it truly hit me that I had successfully gone from the classroom, to the city, to the world. However, the joy of completing the journey to Seoul, South Korea was preceded by an early morning wake…

안녕하세요! Or in English, hello! I’m Emily Strzesieski and I am delighted that you have made it to my blog detailing my PittBusiness Plus3 Korea experience. I am a proud steel city native, born and raised just outside of Pittsburgh. I take great pride in being a member of my city’s community as there truly…