1. Hello, could you please introduce yourself?

Hello, I am Seol-on Kim, a Business Administration major (Class of '22) who participated in the KU Leuven Winter Program. I am currently heading into my final semester before graduation and am solidifying my career path based on my interest in corporate-wide strategy and planning.

2. What motivated you to participate in the 2025 Department of Business Administration Global Challenge (Belgium)?

When I saw the announcement for the Global Challenge program, I was studying as an exchange student in Australia. Due to practical concerns, I had agonized over whether to go on an exchange for three whole years, finally deciding to do it in my last eligible semester before graduation. That time allowed me to truly feel firsthand that the experiences and lessons I gained there could become an incredible asset. Along with a strong desire to experience something like that again, I also wanted to dive deeper into ESG management—a topic I had always regretted not exploring more thoroughly as a business major. Above all, I wanted to maintain the English exposure I had built up during my exchange semester for a little longer and further improve my conversational skills. Besides these various aspirations, what I needed most was to figure out my next steps after my exchange life ended. Although it was a time when I felt most conflicted about my career path, I believed that if I seized the new opportunities that appeared before me, that confusion would eventually clear up. I was confident that this Global Challenge could be a part of that journey.

3. What kind of activities did you do there? And what was the most memorable?

For three weeks, every weekday, I attended university lectures on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and worked on a team project. With lectures and workshops on various topics lined up every day, my days were truly packed. I was able to experience collaborating with students of various nationalities to build a project together. Furthermore, I had new experiences every day without a moment of boredom, such as visiting campuses in other cities for classes and going on corporate field trips.

The most memorable part was definitely the team project. For the team presentation scheduled on the last day, we had to develop ideas, debate, and produce a final result over the course of three weeks. Since we had complete freedom in everything from choosing a topic to running meetings and dividing up tasks, I felt an even greater sense of responsibility. Gathering with team members of diverse nationalities to create a single outcome was sometimes overwhelming, but through that process, I learned how to communicate and collaborate wisely. Meeting and interacting daily with people I might never have met otherwise, naturally encountering their values, and engaging in deep exchanges while pondering the same issues together—this experience went beyond mere learning; it truly broadened my perspective.

4. What were you able to learn through this Global Challenge?

First, I learned how profoundly environmental issues are treated in advanced nations. Their approach felt refreshing—it wasn't just about avoiding regulations or seeking commercial or political gain, but aimed at realizing the true values of the SDGs. I realized the kind of synergy that can be created when practical legal regulations meet civic interest in a positive way, and it allowed me to organize my thoughts on true ESG management.

Moreover, the simple fact that I could independently build my own daily life abroad strengthened my inner resilience and gave me confidence. I was able to see and feel so much while traveling to unfamiliar cities I might never have visited if not for this opportunity. Stepping away from the comfortable neighborhood and people I had settled with, and creating another small, daily routine in a foreign land day by day, helped me reduce my fear of new environments and gain confidence for future challenges.

5. What are your future plans?

For now, I plan to finish my remaining semester while simultaneously preparing for internships. As graduation approaches, I intend to actively participate in university research projects to gain as diverse an experience as possible. I also have ambitions to work for a global company in the future, so I think I will need some time to reflect on how to best develop the skills and competencies I have built up so far.