Faculty Perspective: New Study Abroad Program in South Korea

Jungah Han
School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Discovering Traces of Korean Cultures and Performing Arts is a faculty-led study abroad program designed to immerse students in South Korea’s dynamic cultural landscape and performing arts traditions. The initiative aimed to deepen students’ cultural literacy, artistic development, and global perspective while fostering academic and professional partnerships with leading Korean institutions.

The program was conducted in collaboration with esteemed partners including the National Dance Company of Korea, National Changgeuk Company of Korea, Korea National University of Arts, Gangneung-Wonju National University, and the National Gugak Center. Through a blend of academic inquiry and experiential learning, students explored the intersections of Korean culture, traditional and contemporary performance, and interdisciplinary design.

Participants visited major cultural and historical landmarks such as the National Museum of Korea, Seoul Museum of Craft Art, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, and Haslla Art World—an iconic fusion of nature and art located along Korea’s East Sea. Complementing these excursions were hands-on workshops, performances, and dialogue sessions with Korean artists, students, and faculty, encouraging meaningful cross-cultural and artistic exchange.

Program Goals and Outcomes

• Cultural Proficiency
  Goal: Foster a deep understanding of Korean cultural and performing arts traditions.
  Outcome: Students demonstrated cultural literacy through reflective journals, group discussions, and presentations that synthesized insights from site visits and workshops.
• Artistic Development
  Goal: Enhance creative practices through direct engagement with Korean performance traditions.
  Outcome: Students collaborated under Artistic Director Jong-Deok Kim, contributing to a new choreographic work and participating in dance and costume design processes.
• Language and Cultural Etiquette
  Goal: Acquire essential Korean language skills and navigate cultural contexts with sensitivity.
  Outcome: Students applied Korean phrases in daily interactions and demonstrated cultural etiquette during academic and social activities, supported by peer-led cultural immersion sessions.
• Professional Networking
  Goal: Build lasting connections with Korean institutions and artists.
  Outcome: Students participated in professional exchanges with faculty and peers, opening pathways for future collaborations and global opportunities.
• Reflective Practice
  Goal: Cultivate analytical thinking through structured reflection and documentation.
  Outcome: Students maintained journals and delivered final presentations reflecting personal growth and engagement with program themes.
• Global Perspective
  Goal: Expand awareness of global artistic networks and cultural exchange.
  Outcome: Students expressed heightened interest in international careers and recognized the global interconnectedness of the arts.

This program not only enriched student learning but also laid the groundwork for continued academic and creative collaboration between institutions in the U.S. and Korea.