From Seoul to Sydney: My UTS Journey

Sangjo Kim, A25 Global Ambassador

Autumn 2025 Exchange Student, Sogang University

Seoul, Korea

Hi, I’m Sangjo from Seoul, South Korea, and am currently doing double degrees in Chinese Culture and Business at Sogang University.

The past six months have truly been one of the happiest and most rewarding times of my life. I experienced and learned so much, and I can confidently say that this time abroad has left a lasting impact on me. If you're reading this, I hope you’ve had, or will have, a wonderful experience at UTS as well.

There were two main reasons I chose UTS. First, from an academic perspective, I had heard that UTS offers practical and student-focused learning. After taking classes here, I found that to be mostly true. While there were some variations depending on the subject, many classes involved hands-on projects, which I really appreciated. One of my favourite courses was a consulting subject where we worked with local non-profit organisations in Sydney to complete a real-world consulting project.

Second, in terms of experience, UTS's location made it easy to explore the city. My student accommodation was right in the city centre, so places like the Opera House and Darling Harbour were within walking distance. Plus, Central Station was right outside, making it really convenient to travel further around Sydney using public transport.

One of the best things about being an exchange student in Australia was experiencing a culture and environment so different from Korea. Living in a multicultural country, I was able to see so many different ways of life and broaden my worldview. What I found especially interesting was how, despite our differences, there’s a shared sense of humanity that allows for real connection. I was inspired by how Australian society respects diversity and manages to create harmony within it.

The natural beauty of Australia was also something I’ll never forget. The sky during the day was a brilliant blue, and at night, the stars were unbelievably clear. The beaches were another highlight. There are so many beautiful beaches just a short ride away by public transport, and I had the chance to enjoy ocean swimming, something I had never done in Korea. My favorite beach was Coogee Beach, where there’s a park right next to the beach on a hill, making it a perfect spot to take in the scenery.

Becoming a UTS Study Abroad & Exchange Ambassador was one of the best decisions I made. I’ve always been someone who prefers the familiar, but this role encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and make the most of my exchange experience. I tried new activities like bouldering, swimming, and travelling things, I rarely did back home, and discovered new passions.

I even challenged myself by posting announcements in the exchange group chat in English, and I had the chance to communicate with Sigrid, the best international team coordinator ever. These experiences helped me grow more confident in my English skills. Most of all, I’m proud that I could share my memories with future UTS exchange students and hopefully help them enjoy their time here even more.

If there’s one thing I want to say to students thinking about coming to UTS, it’s this: “If you’re hesitating, just go for it.” UTS offers so many opportunities. From the social

events during Orientation Week to various society activities and the Discover Sydney program by ActivateUTS, your exchange life will be full of chances to connect and grow. Living in a new environment and meeting people from different cultures gave me the chance to exchange languages and perspectives, and helped me see the world in a broader way.

Now that I’m back in Korea, I look back on my time at UTS as one of the happiest periods of my life. The high-quality classes, top-notch facilities, countless networking events, Australia’s incredible nature, and the chill vibe of Sydney all made it an unforgettable experience.

I truly hope that your time at UTS will be just as special.