My final week in Seoul has been truly memorable. Time has flown by—it feels like I only just arrived, and now I’m already saying goodbye to this incredible city and country. At the same time, I’m looking forward to reuniting with my friends and family and continuing my journey elsewhere. This past week, I picked up some final gifts to hand out back home and had a farewell company dinner with my bosses and coworkers. Seoul has taught me so much more than I thought it would, I am beyond grateful!
After spending two months interning in Seoul, South Korea, I’ve come away with more than just professional experience, I have also gained a deeper understanding of how different cultures define success. As someone who grew up in America where people often equate success with individual achievement, independence, and innovation, I was fascinated by how differently South Korea goes about the same concept. These two months allowed me to understand the context behind the what people consider success here in South Korea.
During my time in Seoul, I worked at a small but growing company that was somewhat of an anomaly in the local business world. It was cofounded by a Canadian man and his Korean wife, and their leadership style leaned more heavily on a Western cultural style of operating a business. Because of this unique environment, I was able to observe what happens when to cultures combine to lead in the workplace. In South Korea, success is often measured by how well a person fits into the collective societal mold. Academic achievement is paramount, especially in the early stages of life. From a young age, students are placed under immense pressure to perform well on exams, particularly the Suneung, the national college entrance exam. Gaining admission to one of the top three universities, Seoul National University, Korea University, or Yonsei University (collectively known as “SKY”), is widely regarded as a significant marker of success. These early academic accomplishments often determine one’s job prospects, social standing, and even future relationships.
Once in the workforce, success continues to be measured in terms of stability, loyalty, and hierarchical progression. A “good job” in Korea typically means employment at a large conglomerate or chaebol like Samsung, Hyundai, or LG. Long hours, silent endurance, and deference to seniority are considered part of the path to career success. I noticed that in more traditional companies, working late, even when tasks were complete, was sometimes a sign of dedication rather than necessity. In contrast, American success is often tied to individual goals and personal fulfillment. We celebrate entrepreneurship, risk taking, and innovation. While education and career still play significant roles, there is a broader definition of what it means to be successful. You can be a successful artist, a small business owner, or even a digital nomad as long as you are doing what you love and making a living from it. There is less societal pressure to conform to a single path, and more emphasis on self determination and passion.
The company I interned for in Seoul was clearly a Western culture biased workplace as my Canadian boss encouraged open dialogue, creative input from junior employees, and flexible work hours when possible. The environment felt lighter, more collaborative, and more focused on results than appearances. My coworkers often told me how refreshing it was to work in such a place. By the end of my internship, I realized that both cultures have strengths and drawbacks in how they define and pursue success. The Korean model emphasizes discipline, perseverance, and respect for structure, all qualities that contribute to a high functioning society. But it can also stifle individuality and lead to burnout. The American model encourages creativity and independence but can sometimes glorify risk and overlook the value of community or long term security.
For me personally, this experience has made me more thoughtful about what I want success to look like in my own life. I admire the Korean work ethic and the sense of collective responsibility that many people carry. At the same time, I still value the freedom to define success on my own terms, whether that is through meaningful work, relationships, or personal growth. Living and working in Seoul, even just for two months, gave me a new lens through which to view both cultures. I did not just learn how to adapt to a different workplace; I learned how deeply culture shapes the way we define achievement, fulfillment, and what it means to live a successful life.
