The information systems study abroad program offered by the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business is nothing short of transformative. Along with receiving my information systems minor in just one summer, this irreplaceable experience elevated me both professionally and personally far beyond what I would have gained taking these courses stateside. I found lifelong friends in both my cohort and among locals, explored historically significant sites through planned excursions, learned myriad digital literacy skills, visited various companies, and much more!

Beyond tourist boundaries
Living in Incheon, South Korea, for six weeks and later in Tokyo, Japan, for another six weeks enabled me to fully immerse myself in these vibrant cultures far beyond what most tourists will experience. With my newfound friends, I set out to explore, sampled street food, hiked frequently, and was astonished by the blend of tradition and modernity in both South Korea and Japan. And the best part? Despite all the free time I was given, it always felt as if there was something new to discover — from hidden temples in Kyoto to national parks in South Korea.

The University of Utah faculty meticulously planned and organized excursions to iconic destinations. These visits were seamless for students and gave me a comprehensive journey around both countries. We experienced everything from the alluring aroma of street food in Seoul to the bustling energy in Tokyo. Busan, Jeju, Osaka, Nara, and Hakone are just some of the highlights! Coinciding with this, we met professionals from companies such as Coupang and McDonald’s, gaining insights into business practices in South Korea and Japan. With the tenure these faculty members have, they were able to cherry-pick the most enriching experiences.

The more cultural nuances I encountered, the more I refined my worldview. I was amazed to learn about South Korea’s high-trust society. Imagine feeling safe enough to leave your phone or wallet in a public place without worrying someone may take it! Witnessing firsthand this degree of trust gave me optimism about humanity’s capacity for profound compassion and integrity.

Academia beyond just the classroom
The professors we had — truly dedicated educators from the University of Utah main campus — went above and beyond for us. They offered career advice, connected with us personally, and became valued contacts we can rely on in the future. They are devoted to student success.

Learning technical skills
We learned about entity relationship diagrams and gained experience with MySQL in 4420. We built wireframes for websites and performed CRUD operations with CSS, HTML5, and Python in 4460. We learned how to express, record, and investigate data wireframes in 4430. We learned about CRISP-DM and how to analyze a business process using Google Colab in 4487. Additionally, we explored various certifications for IS/IT applications in 3596.

Understanding these skills is vital, even for those who do not plan to work directly with information systems. Every day, the business world becomes more centered around IS. Having a clear understanding of this field will allow you to speak intelligently with others, providing career opportunities. This program has truly ignited my passion for IS!

Discovering my global network
I was amazed at how quickly I got to know everyone in the program and how easy it was to befriend the locals. Building lasting friendships during an experience such as this provides value that extends far beyond the time overseas. Forming a deep connection with someone from a different country and culture further enhances and enriches your understanding of the world at large. My global network is both personally and professionally rewarding, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations. The valuable connections I formed with both my peers and friends overseas will last a lifetime.

Why you should NOT let this opportunity slip
For those seeking a fun and adventurous global experience, I could not recommend this opportunity enough! When you are older, you may not find opportunities to travel for three months — certainly not ones that are as organized and guaranteed to be as successful as this. You may have a salaried job and family commitments that tether you. So, seize this invaluable opportunity to explore, learn, and connect while you still can.

Gratitude and acknowledgments
I would like to sincerely thank George Welch, Vandana Ramachandran, Chong Oh, Stanford Pugsley, Matthew Pecsok, Sankar Srinivasan, Jeff Webb, Byoung-gyu Gong, and every unsung hero that made this experience possible! Your dedication to providing students with life-changing opportunities is admirable. I could not thank you enough!

Logan Bogesvang is a junior studying QAMO with a minor in Information Systems at the David Eccles of Business.