Loyola students and faculty recently returned from a first-ever, week-long cultural immersion trip to South Korea during Easter break. Over the course of six days, a group of students, ac- companied by faculty members Vianney Truong ‘10 and Joseph Yim, experienced an unforgettable journey exploring Korean culture and daily life. For many of the students on the trip, it was their first time traveling to Asia, and for Loyola, it was one of the first times that an immersion experience in East Asia was organized.
When the group landed, students were ea- ger to experience all the activities detailed in thepacked itinerary, which included visits to landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea’s Blue House and the bustling neighborhoods of Seoul. It also included cultural workshops such as learning how to play Korean drums, practicing the Korean martial art of Taekwondo and wearing traditional Korean attire called Hanbok. One of their favorites was the visit to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), where the students first visited an observatory overlooking North Korea. Due to tight security protocols, soldiers checked passports at multiple checkpoints before the group could enter. When the group finally arrived at the observatory, they peered through binoculars that showed the distant terrain of North Korea just beyond a stretch of razor wire and guard towers.
Cameron Tom ‘28 stated, “Looking across the border and seeing it with my own eyes felt surreal and real at the same time. I wasn’t allowed to take a picture because of security reasons, but it’s already burned in my memory.”
From there, the students had the opportunity to explore the Third Infiltration Tunnel, which was once used as a passageway by North Korean forces to reach Seoul in the 1950s. As the students descended deep underground in hard hats, Travis Chang ‘27 shared, “I remember that there was a ramp that went down a seemingly endless pathway of darkness.”
Through this experience, many students were reminded that the landmark was not solely a tourist attraction but also a place of historical significance, demonstrating that peace isn’t something to take for granted.
Beyond historical insights, one cultural highlight for many was the opportunity to engage in activities with a Korean all-boys Catholic school called Dongsung High School. There, they were able to get new perspectives on education andyouth culture in South Korea. Loyola students toured the campus and bonded with Korean students through music, sports and a school meal.
Travis Chang ‘27 enthusiastically stated, “The high school was the best part of the trip as I saw that all of the students were so excited
to see us and got to ex- perience what it was like seeing into their lives.”
Yim said, “Through Dongsung High School, the students saw that the world was bigger than they thought. It gave them a chance to understand that even though Korean high school students are different from Loyola students, they can also find similarities between Korean and American cultures.
Another important moment in the trip was when the group went to Seoul’s upscale fashion district of Cheongdam. Known for its luxury boutiques and streetwear hotspots, students browsed shops such as Louis Vuitton x Murakami, Supreme, Chrome Hearts, Acne Studios and Stüssy. Exploring this district was a highlight for many of the students.
Liam Villaluz ‘27 shared, “My favorite part of the trip was when we went to the Fashion District. There were so many great stores, but the main reason it was my favorite was that I got to spend time with my friends Justin and Logan.”
The immersion also brought unique and unexpected experiences that pushed students beyond what they were used to. One evening, the group visited a Korean sauna called a jjimjilbang. At first, many students found the experience to be awkward because Korean culture was more open to public nudity.
Chang also emphasized, “The biggest cultural difference that I experienced was when I was at the spa. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but it helped me understand more about Korean culture.”
At the end of each day, daily reflections were led by rotating student groups to recap the moments throughout the day.
“It helped me cool down and focus on the positives,” said Drake Verabian ‘26. “Every night, we got to know how the moments changed us.”
During the reflection, Albert Hill ‘26 talked about the group meals and conversations. He emphasized, “I really enjoyed sitting at the dinner table and talking in the morning and at night. It seemed simple, but those moments helped me open up and think about what I was learning. It pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
The trip provided an opportunity for many of the students to be pushed past their comfort zones in several ways. Tom added, “I had to step outside of my comfort zone when I was trying to communicate with the cashiers. The people there are quiet at first, but are always willing to help.”
Thanks to the guidance of Truong and Yim, whose thoughtful leadership ensured that the experience was safe and enriching, the Korea trip was able to tie closely into Loyola’s Jesuit mission of fostering “Men For and With Others.” The interaction with new communities allowed the students to expand their global awareness while teaching them to approach new environments with humility and respect. With yet another successful trip, Loyola’s Global Education Program hopes to continue this momentum
by encouraging more students to venture out into the world, transforming them into true global citizens interested in changing the world.
