A group of 28 students from the Faculties of Humanities and Business and Law recently completed a six-week New Colombo Plan-supported study tour in Seoul, combining academic study of Korean society and culture with hands-on internships.

Designed by Curtin’s Korean Studies academics in collaboration with Curtin’s Korea Research and Engagement Centre, the program gave students the chance to explore Korean politics, media and culture through lectures at Yonsei, Sejong and Pusan National Universities, as well as take part in a student-led debate on recent political events in Korea with graduate students from Seoul National University.

Students also learned about Korean cooking and cultural traditions through classes and guided tours, and for the main component, completed four-week internships with Korean and Australian industry partners based in Seoul, developing their professional skills in real-world industry settings. Visits to significant historical sites and museums in Seoul and Busan, as well as POSCO’s steel plant in Pohang, the Australian Embassy and AustCham Korea, further enriched their experience.

The program concluded with student presentations reflecting on their experiences, skills and insights they gained. The tour facilitated discussions on Australia-Korea relations, career pathways and industry collaboration, highlighting the value of cross-border knowledge exchange. As an outcome, many students expressed interest in future studies and career pathways in Korea or overseas (as well as learning another language).

Thank you to our university and industry partners for their support, and to Joanna Elfving-Hwang, Eldin Milak and Bec Stafford for accompanying and supporting the students in Korea. Thanks also to Rebecca Shillington, Tina Murphy and Cherry Chen for supporting the program from behind the scenes.