OQEANOUS Plus ProgramOversea Quality-assured Education in Asian Nations
for Ocean University Students Plus

STP Report (KMOU- Aug 2026)

2026.10.15

Course of Food Science and Technology, Graduate School of TUMSAT
1st year of Master's Program
K.O.

Why I Applied for STP

I decided to apply for STP because I was attracted to the opportunity to experience studying abroad for one week. Compared with a long-term study abroad program, I felt that it would be easier to participate in while balancing my university classes and research. I also wanted to meet students from different countries, learn about different cultures and ways of thinking, and broaden my perspective.

I wanted to experience studying abroad and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds while I was still a student, before starting my career. For these reasons, I decided to participate in STP.

Online lectures

During the online lectures, we participated in group discussions and activities. It was a great opportunity to interact with the other participants before meeting them in person in Korea, which made it easier for us to get to know each other and become comfortable with one another when we met in Korea.

Since I am not fluent in English, I also worked actively on the assignments given for self-study outside of the online lecture sessions. Preparing in advance helped me understand the lectures better and gradually reduced my anxiety about communicating in English.

Another valuable part of the online lectures was learning about research fields that were different from my own major. I was able to gain new knowledge and perspectives in areas that I do not usually have opportunities to study, which helped broaden my perspective.

IDEA Training Program

During the IDEA training program, I had the opportunity to experience part of the work carried out by an environmental consulting company as an internship. As I am currently looking for a job, learning about the environmental consulting industry, which I had not known much about before, was a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspective when considering my future career.

I also participated in activities such as birdwatching and beekeeping, which are not activities I would normally have the opportunity to experience in my everyday university life. It was a valuable experience to learn about the environment while enjoying these hands-on activities.

In addition, I participated in the training together with students from China. Through working and spending time together, I was able to deepen our friendship. Meeting and learning with students from different countries and cultural backgrounds was also one of the most memorable experiences I gained from this program.

Field Trip

During the field trip, I had the opportunity to visit Korea Maritime and Ocean University, including its campus facilities, and to board one of its training vessels. I was also able to enjoy sightseeing in Korea, which allowed me to experience aspects of Korean culture and daily life.

We stayed in a university dormitory, where I was able to get to know my roommate better. While the online lectures mainly gave me opportunities to interact with the members of my group, the field trip allowed me to meet and communicate with international students outside of my group as well. It was a great opportunity to interact with students from different countries.

I also enjoyed trying many Korean dishes and exploring the city. These experiences allowed me to learn more about Korean culture in a fun and memorable way.

On the final day, we gave a group presentation. We worked together to prepare the presentation, sharing our ideas and helping each other throughout the process. Although giving a presentation in English was challenging, I was happy that we were able to give a successful presentation as a team, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment.

How My Perspective Changed After the Program

After participating in STP, I realized that I could enjoy studying abroad even though I am not very confident in my English skills. Before the program, I was worried about whether I would be able to communicate well in English. However, once I participated, I found that the students from different countries were all very kind and welcoming.

Many of the students were also interested in Japan. Some of them enjoyed watching Japanese anime and even spoke to me in simple Japanese. Although there were times when I felt the language barrier, I was still able to communicate and enjoy interacting with people from different countries.

I also felt reassured because there were four other Japanese students participating in the program. Having other Japanese students with me made my first study abroad experience less intimidating.

Through this experience, I realized that I should not give up on studying abroad simply because I am not confident in English. Since the program lasts only one week, I believe STP is a great opportunity to experience life abroad and intercultural exchange without feeling too much pressure. I would especially recommend it to students who are interested in studying abroad but feel nervous about taking the first step. I think STP is a great way to experience studying abroad for the first time.