Invest in my educational & career goals: South Korea

Mariah Ambrose Start Date: Oct 21, 2022 - End Date: Apr 20, 2023
  • Seoul, South Korea

My Travel Story

by: Mariah Ambrose Start Date: Oct 21, 2022 - End Date: Apr 20, 2023
I'm interested in the foreign service realm. This is why I'm studying International Relations and International Business. I am specifically interested in helping be the guid for American businesses wanting to expand to Korea and moreover helping with trade between the two countries. I find it fascinating how businesses need to change depending on their market, which is directly connected to the culture of a community. For example Mcdonalds changes their menu depending on where they are located. These changes matter, it can make or break a foreign business. In my future job I would help American businesses learn about these differences and teach them how to adapt to a new market. This in turn will help the American economy while also strengthening America's relationship with South Korea. 

To achieve this goal of going into this realm of foreign service and international business I plan on applying for my Masters at Yonsei University. Which is my number one choice for studying abroad during my undergraduate in 2024. Learning the language now is crucial to my success as I strive to obtain my Masters degree from Yonsei as it would allow me to understand the material and my professors more easily. Though most importantly I’d have the opportunity to make friends with locals. Plus learn more about the culture of South Korea without the barriers of language. Which I know will be such a liberating experience for myself but also for the locals. Furthermore I am preparing for my journey by taking Korean language classes. I have found the beauty and strength in speaking a foreign language out loud and interacting with others. I believe this is the best and most effective way to learn a language. Which is why one of the main reason I would like to study abroad in South Korea. Overall this excites me in wanting to go to Korea and interact with locals and learn from other students. 

I'm also preparing by doing an internship at the World Trade Center of Denver where I assist in helping immigrant businesses learn how to be successful in Denver; through applying for loans, learning how to trade and overall making sure they aren't being taken advantage of. This internship is helping me gain a better understanding of the dynamics of different countries and also teaching me how to be empathic to those who are different from me. For example, when interacting with these individuals I gain insight into their culture and beliefs. Some are deemed unacceptable in America, learning to be patient and ask questions is crucial when this happens. 

Lastly know that you arent just investing into my career or educational goals. You are investing in the countless individuals I interact with. Furthermore, I plan on teaching students the importance of knowing another language is crucial even if they don't plan on doing anything international . Donations are also investing into the future businesses I interact with, pushing for me to act as the bridge between foreign businesses and Koreans. Overall the investment of me getting accepted and completing the Yonsei program doesn't stop with me. Instead like a domino effect the investments are being taken advantage of by multiple of different individuals from a multitude of different backgrounds. Moreover, I am excited for an opportunity to be able to travel, learn and educate while in Korea. I feel I am equipped to take advantage of this opportunity in order to further my education, but most importantly give me a competitive advantage to understand Korean culture more deeply. I take this responsibility seriously and I can't wait for the opportunity to show America and my community that investing in me is the right move. 


  • Seoul, South Korea

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