For Carol White, a junior majoring in accounting at the University of Utah, the global information systems (IS) minor offered more than a study abroad experience—it provided an opportunity to explore two countries, expand her academic interests and gain a broader perspective on the world.
The global IS minor, offered through Eccles Global, allows students to earn a 13-credit information systems minor while spending six weeks in South Korea and six weeks in Japan. Through intensive coursework and cultural immersion, students gain firsthand international experience while staying on track for graduation.
“I love visiting Japan and had always wanted to go to South Korea,” White said. “I was also interested in information systems after taking IS 2010, and this program was the perfect opportunity to earn the minor without delaying my graduation.”
Unlike many short-term study abroad programs, the global IS minor spans nearly three months, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in local culture.
“A lot of the global programs I saw were a week long,” White said. “These aren’t bad for fall or spring break, but I wanted something where I could focus on studying and then have time to enjoy the country at a leisurely pace.”
The program’s structure also helped White pursue the minor without disrupting her academic plan. By completing the required courses in one semester, she was able to avoid scheduling conflicts and stay focused on her accounting major.
For White, who is interested in international business, the dual-country experience was another highlight. Studying in South Korea and Japan gave her a chance to better understand Asian cultures, perspectives and values while connecting those experiences to her academic interests.
The intensive course format also stood out. White described the 10-day classes as similar to agile sprints, with each course focusing closely on a specific topic before building into the next. Because the courses were scheduled back-to-back, she said it was easier to see how the concepts connected.
Outside the classroom, White embraced the opportunity to experience Korea firsthand, exploring cities such as Seoul and Busan while studying at the University of Utah Asia Campus in Incheon.
“Between Incheon and Seoul, we never ran out of things to do—from city life to cultural experiences like visiting temples,” she said. “Busan was completely different as a port city, and we had a lot of fun at the beach.”
Looking back, White believes the greatest benefit of the program has been cultural immersion.
“Unlike a tourist who leaves after a week, you have time to learn how to live like a local,” she said. That meant learning new recipes, practicing Korean and developing a deeper understanding of daily life in another country.
When asked what she would tell students considering the program, White emphasized the personal growth that comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
“There’s more to learning than just studying,” she said. “By putting yourself in new situations and exploring far-off places, you’ll grow more than if you stay within the safety of home. You’ve got to push your horizons out as far as they’ll go—that’s how you learn more about the world and yourself.”