Work integrated learning (WIL) is an opportunity for students to gain work experience and credit towards their Deakin degree.

Deakin University’s first international study program to Seoul brought 21 undergraduate students into a cross-cultural experience they would never forget.

Located in the heart of Seoul, Sookmyung Women's University is the city’s first woman only university, founded in 1906. Deakin students and staff arrived in early January to the university with a warm welcome and insightful campus tour.

Sookmkyung Women’ s University’s buddy program URINK helped the Deakin students get immersed in the Korean culture by visiting iconic places such as Gyeongbok Palace and Seoul Tower.

Work integrated learning (WIL) is an opportunity for students to gain work experience and credit towards their Deakin degree. The Korea WIL Program consisted of our Deakin students consulting three Korean companies on how they could potentially expand their business into the Australian market. The companies included wehome, Gentle Monster, Pharmsville and Luielle.

CEO & co-founder of wehome, San Ku Jo, was pleased with what the Deakin students presented for his company. “I am very touched and impressed”, he mentions. “We are very lucky to have you.”

The Faculty of Business and Law’s Associate Dean, International Prof. Alexander Newman and Senior Student Recruitment and Marketing Officer Chamalee Karunanayake accompanied the students to South Korea.

Professor Alexander Newman who had pioneered the faculty’s increase in International Study Abroad programs was pleased with the program.

‘Sookmyung University was a very welcoming partner. They provided our staff and students with a great deal of support, organized excellent work integrated learning projects for our students and assigned our students Korean mentors for the duration of the program. We are looking forward to running this program again next year.’

Bachelor of Commerce Cloud student Nicolas Farrington wanted to go on the program to gain exposure to the Korean business culture. 

“To other students thinking of undertaking a Deakin study program, I would say to definitely do it, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain. I was unsure of what to expect when I signed up for the program which I will admit made me nervous, especially since I am a cloud student and did not actually know any of the students or staff on the program. These fears passed immediately after I met the group and everything from that point onwards was positive,” Nicolas says. 

Bachelor of Information Systems/Bachelor of Commerce student Bita Kamyab also recommends other Deakin students to take part on a Deakin international experience.

“You grow not only as a future professional by familiarising yourself with another culture and work environment, but you also develop as a person by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. It is one of most challenging yet rewarding experiences you will undergo at Deakin.”