Amber Le ’25 shares her experience studying in South Korea as a recipient of the Don Reid Sogang University Scholarship. Learn about the program »
Eight years of Taekwondo training sparked an early interest in Korean culture, which deepened through a family trip to Seoul and a growing connection to K-pop. This ultimately helped me embrace my heritage and take pride in my Asian American and Vietnamese identity.
That appreciation, coupled with my interest in cosmetics and skincare, drew me to apply for the Don Reid Sogang University Scholarship. Keeping my chemistry major and business minor in mind, I joined the program hoping to gain a professional insight into the beauty industry through opportunities like company visits and job shadowing. While I indirectly gained this knowledge through visiting cosmetic stores and talking with working professionals, I gradually learned something even more valuable during my time in Seoul.
During this journey, I met people from all walks of life and learned that fulfillment and success take many forms. Beyond classroom experiences and structured activities, it was the everyday interactions and unexpected friendships that had the deepest impact. One of my fondest memories was frequently visiting a small coffee shop on campus. In the early days of the program, I often felt homesick and had difficulty adjusting to life at school. However, the café owner, Kim Dohee, always welcomed me with kindness and a warm smile that made my transition easier. To this day, Ms. Dohee and I still keep in contact through email, and I hope to see her again on my next trip to Seoul.
Additionally, though I initially planned to take a business course for my minor, I chose Taekwondo at Sogang to reconnect with a passion that had helped me as a child. As a second-degree black belt who hadn’t practiced in over a decade, the class offered both challenge and renewal through the guidance of Master Koh Young Jeong. Despite the language barrier, he connected his class through music, translation apps, and his dedication to physical and mental health. Fellow Don Reid Scholar Jia Li and I had the privilege of visiting his studio in Suwon, where we experienced a quieter side of Korea. His students greeted us warmly and used our visit to practice English while encouraging us to speak Korean. His daughter, Alice, even taught us kicks and shared her dream of studying exercise science to follow in her father’s footsteps. Whether it was learning a new language or reviving an old skill, their enthusiasm showed me that true growth happens outside our comfort zones.
Lastly, the meaningful connections I formed with other students studying abroad and those from Sogang truly enriched my time in Korea. Even though we came from different backgrounds, studied different subjects, and aspired to different dreams, we were brought together on the other side of the world. Whether studying at a local café for upcoming Korean quizzes or figuring out transportation, the support we gave to one another created a sense of community that made being far from home feel a little closer. Every person had a story that inspired me and reminded me that goodness exists even when times may seem tough.
As I approach my senior year, my time at Sogang tied together USF’s teachings in a beautiful way. Being in college and living in the Bay Area has trained me to view every experience as an opportunity to benefit my future academic and professional life. However, this mindset sometimes diminishes the importance of living in the present and forgetting that not everything has to have a clear means to an end. “Changing the World From Here” does not have to be a big, elaborate gesture. Sometimes the best lessons are learned simply by living in the moment. When you lead with kindness, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn from others, you naturally inspire those around you and make the world a better place.
If you would like to support these and other curious and driven students who care about the Asia Pacific, please donate here.