#1 KF-EAI Korea Friendship, What Comes After!

Hello. I am Yang Ari, a graduate of the second cohort of KF-EAI Korea Friendship, who dreams of becoming a top fashion designer with professional skills and knowledge.

I am Yang Ari.

What is your dream? What efforts are you making to achieve that dream?

I came to Korea alone to study abroad in October 2009 with the dream of becoming a fashion designer. It was very difficult to adapt to an unfamiliar place. However, I endured with the sole intention of learning fashion design properly here. Initially, I studied fashion styling at Dongyang University in Gyeongbuk, then transferred to Hanyang University in March 2012 to double major in Dance, and am currently pursuing a graduate degree in Clothing Studies at Hanyang University.

I participated in various supporter programs to gain information about design. As part of this, I served as a public relations ambassador for Hanyang University's 'Global Saranghandae' group, engaging in activities related to the university's international exchange and public relations. I also worked as the first 'Asiana Airlines Chinese PR Marketer,' performing missions such as promoting on Chinese local SNS (Weibo) and proposing new service ideas and marketing strategies to activate Chinese routes. Additionally, I worked as a guest fashion marketer for Doota. At Doota, I proposed new business ideas, conducted market research in the same industry, and participated in Doota's SNS marketing (planning, teamwork, etc.). Through these activities, I was able to gain a deeper understanding and experience of Korean culture, which led to a professor who was impressed by my proactiveness introducing me to a great opportunity: an internship at Coupang.

What do you do at Coupang?

I am in charge of the Chinese fashion market. I identify the styles and designs that the public desires by posting my favorite works or promoting my own creations on personal social media. Through the internship program at Coupang, I am gaining practical experience and directly experiencing fashion trends in the global market as a prospective designer. Coupang currently has over 250 employees in its China office and is focused on building systems before its full-scale entry into China, so I feel a greater sense of responsibility for the project I am assigned.

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Was KF-EAI Korea Friendship helpful?

I learned about KF-EAI Korea Friendship through a friend I met while participating in other global activities. I felt truly grateful for this program as I participated. This is because I learned many things that cannot be learned at school. I met friends from various nationalities, exchanged ideas, and thought deeply about Korea through 8 lectures on Korean exploration. In particular, I gained ideas by listening to lectures from renowned figures in the arts, who are difficult to invite. The most memorable experience was the DMZ tour. It was fascinating that Koreans, despite being the same people, have different politics and cultures in North and South Korea. I have been in Korea for 6 years, and through this program, I discovered a new aspect of Korea, and I have come to like Korea even more.

A message to juniors

"Don't be afraid in advance, just try!"

There are many friends studying abroad in Korea from foreign countries. And there will surely be many difficult things to adapt to in Korea. This is because there are many bewildering situations due to differences in conversation with Koreans, etiquette, language, transportation, and food. If you avoid Koreans out of fear and only meet friends from countries with similar cultures, your Korean language skills will naturally not improve. You also cannot deeply understand Korean culture. The exploration, communication, and empathy learned in KF-EAI Korea Friendship brought about many changes in me. Above all, I gained the confidence to challenge myself. Anything you start for the first time is bound to be preceded by worry and fear. However, it is important to have someone to ask when such a situation arises. I shared a lot of information with friends who participated in KF-EAI Korea Friendship, received help, and was able to take on various challenges together. I think it is important to try anything without fear. I hope you have a study abroad experience where you find joy within your capabilities and take on challenges.