My name is Ashlyn Walter, and I am thrilled to be participating in the International Internship Program in Seoul this summer. I am from Dublin, Ohio, and I found myself drawn to the University of Pittsburgh due to its diverse environment and numerous opportunities. I am a rising junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus on marketing. This was not always the case, as I initially started as a Biology Major, but I then concluded that I wanted to work in an environment where I could travel and work internationally. I have always loved travelling and learning about new cultures, especially asian cultures. Last year, I participated in the Pitt in Japan program, where I spent a month studying abroad in Japan. During that program, I learned about the history, culture, food, and language of Japan. My experience studying abroad in Japan is what led me to want to participate in an international Internship program.
I am pursuing a profession in global marketing, and to achieve that, I have to have a well-rounded view of the world and also experience differences in marketing in many cultures. It is hard to get this experience by staying in the United States without experiencing the world for yourself. It is helpful to see firsthand what the differences between cultures are, rather than being taught about them or looking them up. This is another reason why I chose the international internship program. And pairs with my interest in asian culture, that is why I chose my destination to be Seoul, South Korea. This program will help me see the differences in marketing between South Korean and American companies firsthand. Our cultures are so different and have many differing values, which can make for many differences in how to market to an audience. This is invaluable to learn for someone who wants to pursue global marketing and plans to market to countries across the globe. Along with that, being exposed to a different working environment is very important when it comes to global marketing because I will most likely be working with very diverse groups of people or for organizations with different work cultures than I am used to. So, experiencing the South Korean work Culture will help me to adapt to unfamiliar work environments and learn how to overcome differences and collaborate with people who have different values and ideals from myself.
Throughout the internship, I aim to learn a lot personally. I have had an interest in the history and culture of asian countries, and it has always been a dream of mine to go to South Korea to see the culture and history firsthand. Soduring my time in South Korea, I am going to learn more about the history and culture through immersion, interacting with locals, and going to historical sites. I find it fascinating how much has changed over time, especially since South Korea has thousands of years of history. Over time, it is easy for a country to lose its culture or lose the active practices of tit But I feel as though there are still many cultural practices that have been kept up through many generations in South Korea, with traditional Hanboks still being in use today, even if they are only for formal events or festivals. The fact that they are still being worn today is a preservation of culture and heritage, and I am excited to see it firsthand. I also want to see how the past and present have joined together to make the current culture of South Korea.
Over the years, South Korean Culture has become widely known to the rest of the world with the increase in popularity of K-pop and K-dramas. Because of this, South Korean culture as well as the South Korean economy has further reach and influence in the world now. This has influenced pop culture in South Korea because once pop culture in South Korea became so famous, many things changed, like K-pop idols’ style became more westernized to appeal to a broader audience than just in South Korea. And I feel as though that style has somewhat transferred over to the general public and influences South Koreans to incorporate more Western clothing and brands into their style. For example, many luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, and Coach have recently had a rise in popularity in South Korea. This could be due to K-pop idols incorporating them into their outfits and having brand deals with them, but it could also be due to marketing efforts by the company. The idea of how South Korean Culture has changed over time fascinates me, and especially with the fact that American brand marketing could have played into some of the changes we see now, is even more interesting. I am excited to see the differences between what I think is true and what I will see is true when I get there.