Quenita Hutson is an MSU senior majoring in Apparel and Textile Design and from Saginaw, Michigan. She traveled to South Korea this summer to study abroad as part of the Global and Cross-Cultural Marketing: Case Study of K-Culture Program led by Mi Ran Kim, Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Hutson wrote about her experience with this study abroad program, which examined some of South Korea’s global companies and their marketing strategies while also exploring Korean culture.
Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that changed my life forever. As a student in Michigan State University’s Global and Cross-Cultural Marketing Program, I was excited to see how classroom concepts come to life in a global setting — and Seoul delivered more than I ever imagined.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of a vibrant city full of culture and energy. The smell of sizzling street food like tteokbokki and hotteok filled the air near subway stations, while the sparkling city lights and high-tech infrastructure gave me a glimpse into a modern global economy rooted in tradition.
I had the opportunity to visit Korean companies, learn how businesses adapt to cultural norms, and gain real insight into how marketing and hospitality strategies differ around the world. This experience helped shape my academic and career goals by showing me what international business truly looks like in action. I now have a clearer understanding of what it means to work across cultures, and I feel more motivated than ever to pursue a global career path.
Personally, this program pushed me out of my comfort zone. Navigating a non-English speaking environment was intimidating at first, but over time, I picked up common Korean phrases, learned how to respectfully communicate through gestures and cultural etiquette, and became more confident in unfamiliar situations. The kindness and patience of local people helped me grow not just as a student, but as a human being.
Before studying abroad, I thought it might be hard to connect as someone who comes from a low-income background and is also a first-generation college student. I worried I might not “fit in.” But this program showed me that education abroad is for everyone. It gave me the chance to prove to myself that I belong in global spaces — and that my story matters.
To anyone wondering if education abroad is for them: it absolutely is. You don’t have to come from a certain background to have a powerful, eye-opening experience. My time in Seoul has inspired me, grounded me, and given me memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
This article was originally published on the Office for Education Abroad website.
