Mackenzie saw the Study Away program as a chance to immerse herself in South Korean culture and build lasting connections. Studying at Sungkyunkwan University, she explored local traditions, attended festivals, and gained a deeper appreciation for global perspectives.

“안녕하세요! (Hello!) During the fall semester of 2024, I studied abroad at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Seoul, South Korea. I tried lots of new things and made new friends at SKKU. My favorite memory from the semester was going to the school’s Eskara festival. At the festival, I attended a free concert with K-pop performances and Korean food trucks. I will never forget my time in South Korea, and I hope I can return someday!”

Mackenzie Bateman

Julia stepped out of her comfort zone by studying away at Radboud University in the Netherlands. She explored new cultures and built confidence navigating unfamiliar places. Traveling solo to Germany highlighted her personal growth. She now applies her experiences and newfound independence to make the most of her remaining time at UIS.

“My greatest accomplishment was when I studied abroad and went to Europe by myself. For as long as I can remember, I have been an anxious person, but since coming to college, I have been able to overcome it. I attended Radboud University in the Netherlands and one of the many benefits was its location. The proximity to other countries gave me the opportunity to explore. I went to Cologne, Germany without any of my newfound friends and had the epiphany that two years prior to this, I would not have fathomed myself doing this. All this to say, my greatest accomplishment has been taking the leap to study abroad because it has allowed me to take advantage of the opportunities UIS has to offer and grow as an individual.”

Julia Nash

When Brandon studied away, his interest in global business practices grew. His practical learning experience helped him build skills to interact effectively with diverse teams in his field of management and information systems.

“[At Maynooth University in Ireland], I studied management information systems from a unique approach, considering the professors’ different teaching styles compared to the ones I’ve experienced in the United States. One example of Maynooth’s different teaching styles would be in my databases class, where I had lab periods for doing hands-on work with databases and then had a lecture period to learn about the foundation of databases and relational algebra. 

Since I have always been a hands-on learner, being able to also travel to Ashikaga, Japan broadened my knowledge of the rich history and culture there, such as visiting the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, participating in a Japanese tea ceremony, and learning Kyudo. These opportunities made a lasting impact on my time at UIS.

There is nothing else that I would trade for these experiences. They have truly shaped me into the better person I am today!”

Brandon Raps