“I spent over five years studying abroad and it was an incredible experience. But after a while, I found myself missing home more than I wanted to admit. When my family started encouraging me to come back to Korea, I wasn’t sure what to do. I still wanted a U.S. education, but I also wanted to be closer to them. That’s when I found the University of Utah Asia Campus—and honestly, it felt like the best of both worlds.

Choosing communication as my major felt like a natural fit. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a news anchor—someone who could deliver real, reliable information and actually make a difference. Later, I got curious about marketing too and luckily, my major let me explore both sides of the media world.

If I had to sum up my college journey in three words, it would be growth, opportunity, and connection. Every semester pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and figure out who I was becoming. U Asia Campus opened so many doors—on-campus jobs, leadership roles—and through those experiences, I found not just skills, but a community. Professors, mentors and friends who saw potential in me before I even saw it in myself.

One of the highlights of my time here was leading the Incheon Global Campus Broadcasting Studio. Producing live news broadcasts, managing a team, dealing with unexpected chaos—it was messy, challenging and honestly, one of the best things I ever did. It taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about figuring things out together, one unpredictable day at a time.

Through it all, one skill stuck with me: thinking critically about media. Now, whether I’m preparing a presentation, working on a campaign or just scrolling through my feed, I’m always asking, ‘Who’s telling this story, and why?’ U Asia Campus didn’t just teach me how to communicate—it taught me how to think.

After graduation, I’m excited to dive into the world of public relations, marketing or advertising—anywhere I can help organizations build honest, meaningful connections with people. That’s where I want to make an impact.

If I could leave future U Asia Campus students with one piece of advice, it would be this: you don’t have to feel ‘ready’ to take the next step. Some of the best things that happened to me started when I felt completely unprepared—but I said yes anyway.”

— Whamin Yoon, Class of 2025, B.S. in Communication, University of Utah Asia Campus, from Busan, South Korea