SeoulQuest: High School Academic Summer Program in Korea

Individual Capstone Project:
Before my Junior year summer, I was really on the fence between going to Korea and a film program at USC. My parents were worried I'd miss out on building my portfolio for college applications. However, after talking to the program director, Sarah, she went out of her way to find me a really unique filmmaking opportunity.

I was able to film 3 unique documentary projects. One of which was possible through Sarah's connections (she has the most niche and crazy connections) where I was able to work with a North Korean refugee program, LiNK, and interview a North Korean refugee. Another was focused on Japanese and Korean relations through different generations. However, the documentary which I fully completed during my time there was about the foreigner experience in Korea. On all of these projects, I was able to gain amazing on site experience through hands-on work with a great mentor and equipment that we were able to rent. This work ended up going into my college film portfolio which I believe gave me a much more unique and diversified portfolio than other applicants. In the end, I ended up getting accepted into my top university choice.

Language Course:
I'm Korean American and grew up not speaking any Korean, so this was a big part of why I chose to go to Korea. I had been self-studying for a few months and wanted to go all in. The classes are fully immersive: teachers only speak Korean, which improved my Korean comprehension a lot. Although you will learn a lot of grammar and reading comprehension through the classes, If you're not actively trying to speak Korean outside of class by making mistakes, speaking to classmates, and just going for it, you can finish the program without much real speaking confidence. The opportunity is there, but you have to make the effort.

Life in Seoul:
Seoul is genuinely one of the best cities in the world to just exist in. I could get basically anywhere with public transit and the program gives you real freedom to explore. I saw pretty much every district in the city by the end.

The cohort is small, which means you actually get to know everyone. It's almost a year later now and I'm still in regular contact with a lot of people from that summer. Sarah also found a local volleyball clinic for me to join, which was totally above and beyond. I made Korean friends through that too, and we still talk.

Personal growth:
I think my character grew a lot. It grew so much that I wrote my college personal statement on it. I had always been embarrassed by the fact that I didn’t know how to speak any Korean. I found myself trying to prove that I was Korean, and if I didn't fit people's expectation, I was somehow incomplete as a person. However, after interviewing a Japanese-Korean woman who had seen herself fall into the same trap, she had learned that fitting into a mold kept her from becoming a unique individual. It really made me think about why I started learning Korean. I realized that it was really about fitting in when it should have been about self exploration. That realization changed my whole mindset on learning Korean. It should not have been or be about fitting into a pre-existing mold to prove something but to explore who I am and what Korean Culture adds to my character.

For future participants:
One thing I'd tell future participants is be upfront about what you're hoping to get out of it. Sarah genuinely builds the program around you as an individual, which is rare. I came in with a specific need for my film portfolio and she made it happen in a way I never expected. If you put in the effort, this summer will give you something real to show for it, not just a line on a resume, but a story worth telling.

PS - I am going back to Korea this summer with SeoulQuest!

Traveling abroad was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived in a new country, everything felt exciting and unfamiliar. The language, food, architecture, and even daily routines were different from what I was used to at home. At first, it was a little overwhelming, but that feeling quickly turned into curiosity and appreciation for a new culture.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was exploring local markets and trying traditional food. Every meal felt like a small adventure. I tasted dishes I had never heard of before, and many of them became my new favorites. Talking to local people also made the experience more meaningful. Even when there was a language barrier, simple smiles and gestures helped create friendly connections.

Another highlight was visiting historical landmarks and natural attractions. Seeing famous places in person felt very different from looking at pictures online. Walking through old streets, museums, and scenic landscapes made me feel more connected to the country’s history and culture.

Traveling abroad also taught me important personal lessons. I learned how to be more independent, adaptable, and open-minded. When plans changed or small problems appeared, I had to stay calm and find solutions. These moments helped me grow more confident in unfamiliar situations.

Overall, the experience was both fun and educational. It allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and see the world from a different perspective. Traveling abroad not only gave me unforgettable memories but also helped me better understand other cultures and appreciate the diversity of our world.

When I first found out about the program, I was looking into anything that still had applications open. I had started considering study abroad later than many program had closed and there were limited options, but luckily for me I was saved by the late application due date. As soon as I got off my first call with Sarah, I stopped looking for other programs. I knew from the start that Sarah was about to lead me through an amazing and life-changing experience and it was as if by luck I had stumbled upon the perfect program. Everything I heard about the program was as if I had designed it myself. Nothing overlooked, and the perfect balance of freedom and structure. I am so glad that I stopped looking right then and there, because if somehow I ended up changing my mind I know that I would be in a very different place right now, both without the experiences that I had in Seoul, but also without Sarah as a friend and a guide after the program ended.

I was planning and preparing for months to apply to another study abroad program after I got back from my summer with Sarah, only to be met with the cancellation of the program I was planning for. Sarah is the one who helped me while I was panicking in silence about my future plans and led me towards another program I had never heard of, which ended up being an even better fit for me. She responded instantly and took the time to help me work through it and find a new route, as well as stopping me from spiraling into worried thoughts.

Sarah is amazingly smart and efficient and kind and will do whatever she can to help you right away, but she also has a habit of taking far too much of the workload upon herself. If you are considering SeoulQuest and talking to Sarah about the program know that on top of what she is doing to help personalize your experience, she is reaching out to dozens of professionals and other applicants and once everything is finalized and you set foot in Korea Sarah will become the most reliable resource for anything you might need. Sarah fully devotes herself and takes pride and joy in making this the best program it can possibly be for everyone involved. If you are a student who is going abroad take this advice: When Sarah offers an optional activity, GO. Because it WILL be worth your time and those optional adventures will become some of your new favorite memories.