Student Spotlight: Hannah Alley
Senior, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Study Abroad Experience:
When? 2023-2024 academic year
Where? Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea
Hannah Alley has known since high school that she wanted to do a study abroad experience, so when the opportunity arose during her junior year at UMPI, she jumped at it.
“I have always wanted to visit South Korea, so the opportunity to both live in the country while studying the culture and language as well as fulfilling degree requirements was one I had to take,” she said.
Hannah worked with the UMPI Advising Office and the Study Abroad Office at the University of Maine at Orono in order to make the experience possible. Even though the University of Maine System didn’t have a direct exchange program with any schools in South Korea, Hannah was able to identify a consortium to complete the application process. University officials supported her through the process and helped her identify financial aid, scholarships, and other funding to make the experience financially possible.
While at Kookmin, Hannah was able to complete 21 transferrable college credits, including her language requirement, but she learned and experienced so much more. She befriended several Korean students, met others at a social club called Prometheus, and connected with other foreign students in the process. She was also able to experience Korean nightlife since she was living in Hongdae—a popular neighborhood teeming with artists and an entire block dedicated to tourism surrounded by food stalls, restaurants, shops, clubs, and bars—which allowed for plenty of entertainment and excitement. While in Korea, Hannah was also able to visit important historic Korean sites, like Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Korea Folk Village.
“My study abroad experience helped me learn how to communicate with people from different cultures, build skills toward language development, and broaden my worldview,” Hannah said. “For anyone considering a study abroad experience, I’d definitely say, ‘Go for it,’ especially if you’re interested in learning about a different culture and being immersed in it for a while, because it’s incredibly rewarding.”
