Liam Sabo, a junior majoring in music and business, recently had the opportunity to spend his Summer 2023 semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea, through the FSU Global Exchange Program. During this time at Hanyang International Summer School, Liam was inspired not only by what he learned in the classroom but also by his experiences outside his academics.

Liam took advantage of his valuable time there with the understanding of how rare and impactful this trip would be. “One of the main aspects of why exchange programs are appealing is because it gives students the opportunity to embark on a journey that would otherwise be unavailable to them,” he said. When describing how he chose to study in Asia, rather than the more popular European Global Exchange locations, he said, “I recognized that it would be in my best interest to select a program in a country that is less visited by students from the United States.” For Liam, picking somewhere in Asia to study was the best option for him because of the experience he was after. “Besides the fact that studying in Asia is the road less commonly taken, Korea is a breathtaking country with an amazing nightlife scene, delicious food and a beautiful culture,” he said.

Ultimately, his goal was to meet people with other cultures, backgrounds, and understandings to broaden his horizons. “Since students from across the world study in Korea during the summer, I was able to make friends with people from all over Europe and Asia,” Liam said. Growth among his fellow peers was something that he was not expecting to make the biggest impression on this trip: “I assumed that the most impactful moments of my trip would come from visiting monuments, historical sites, and traditional Korean restaurants and markets. While those experiences did leave a lasting impression on me, the moments of my exchange that were the most life-changing were my interactions with my fellow students,” said Liam.
After a transformative night, Liam reflected on how meaningful it was to spend time with people from different countries, and really be able to understand each other on a deeper level. He credits these connections he made with other students as his biggest takeaway from his time abroad. “What connects human beings with one another is treating other people with respect and dignity because of our unique identities and circumstances, not despite them,” he said. 

When asked what he would say to another FSU student considering a Global Exchange he had this to say, “I HIGHLY recommend studying at Hanyang University. Korea is a breathtaking country with an amazing nightlife scene, delicious food and a beautiful culture. The advanced transportation system in Korea allows you to travel from one city to the next very easily, meaning that you could wake up in Seoul, take the train to a beach town, and be back in Seoul for sunset and nighttime activities. Since students from across the world study in Korea during the summer, I was able to make friends with people from all over Europe and Asia. Studying abroad changed my life and can change yours too.”

Liam’s experiences in South Korea have inspired him to continue learning about other cultures. He says, “Upon returning to Florida State in the fall, I plan on furthering my involvement in the Center for Global Engagement in order to do my part in helping forge connections with students from every part of this large, diverse, and breathtaking world we share.” Liam decided to become a Global Nole mentor for the 2023-24 academic year. The Global Noles program is designed to support and assist incoming exchange students with their pre-arrival questions and adjustment to life at FSU. Exchange students from our 40+ international partner institutions are paired with FSU students who volunteer their time to serve as Global Noles mentors.