“I still remember visiting the University of Utah Asia Campus booth at KCON New York in 2018. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. Years later, that memory randomly came back to me while I was figuring out my next step in life.

I moved to Korea from New Jersey when I was 27 because I felt stuck. I needed something different—a different environment, a different culture, honestly just a chance to throw myself into something unfamiliar and finally grow up a little.

And somehow, over the last four years at the Asia Campus, I became more myself than I had ever been before.

For most of my life, I think I was constantly shrinking myself to fit in. But somewhere between my late 20s and early 30s, while living in Korea, I realized I didn’t want to do that anymore.

At the Asia Campus, I studied strategic communication because I’ve always been interested in social media and content creation. Communication ended up being the perfect fit for me because it gave me room to explore different interests while figuring out what I actually wanted to do.

Then the Asia Campus launched the Master of Communication program right when I finished my bachelor’s degree, which honestly felt like perfect timing because I was absolutely not ready to leave Korea yet.

Now I’m graduating as part of the first cohort of communication master’s students, which feels exciting, but also emotional. There’s definitely pressure that comes with being part of a ‘first,’ but I really hope we helped build something meaningful for the students coming after us.

When I look back on my years at the Asia Campus, the moments that stay with me the most aren’t necessarily the academic achievements. It’s the people I met along the way.

Some friendships completely transformed my life. Other experiences taught me what I value in genuine connections and the kind of person I want to become. Through meeting so many different people from different backgrounds, I slowly rediscovered myself.

I think that’s what the Asia Campus gave me more than anything else: The space to grow into myself without regrets.

This year’s commencement theme, ‘The U behind you, the world in front of you,’ hits really hard for me because leaving the Asia Campus feels bittersweet in every possible way.

For the past four years, Korea and the Asia Campus have been my entire world. I built a life here, met people who changed me, and honestly grew into a completely different version of myself during my time here.

I’m sad my time here is ending. I’m anxious about moving back to America with the current job market. But at the same time, I’m excited. I get to see my mom again after four years. I get to experience spooky season in Sleepy Hollow again. I get to drink pumpkin spice lattes and iced New Orleans coffee from my favorite café back home.

And honestly, I think I’m finally ready for a fresh start.

As hard as it is to leave the U behind, I know there’s still a whole world waiting in front of me. I’m ready to take that first leap.”

— Darian Brown, U Asia Campus Class of 2026, M.A. in Communication, College of Humanities, from New Jersey