June Hwang’s Year in Davis: How Everyday Moments Laid the Foundation for Future Success

Now a senior researcher at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., June Hwang credits the UC Davis Global Study Program with laying the foundation for his international career. Fifteen years ago, he was part of the 2010–11 Korea University cohort—a transformative year that left a lasting impact.

After leaving Davis, June faced unexpected challenges in graduate school that tested his resilience. But with support from his family and a flexible mindset, he found a rewarding path forward—one shaped by the confidence and curiosity he developed at UC Davis.

“I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be working in the U.S. today if I hadn’t had my experience in Davis,” he said. “I got to learn firsthand what it’s like to study at an American college and prove myself by taking on challenging coursework and coming out on top.”

In addition to new academic and career opportunities, June made lasting memories of his time at UC Davis. When he returned for a visit in October 2025, he was reminded of the simple things he had come to love—the everyday experiences that became part of his life while in the Global Study Program.

From playing video games to visiting downtown restaurants, memories of ordinary joys left June with a sense of warm nostalgia. Reflecting on his time in the program, he credits those peaceful moments with laying the foundation for his professional and personal success.

“My year in Davis is definitely one of the highlights of my life,” he said.

Finding His Path After Davis

What have you been up to since completing the Global Study Program?

I always dreamed of a career in academia. So, after my one-year sojourn in Davis, I returned to South Korea to finish my undergraduate degree and applied to doctoral programs in the U.S. I was admitted to a program at Princeton and had such a wonderful time studying American politics and government. Unfortunately, I had to change my original degree plan, and I ended up leaving the program after only getting a master’s degree.

It was a difficult time, made more challenging by the pressure to come up with a “Plan B” for my career path. Thanks to the support of my family and friends, I was able to pick myself back up and landed a temporary job as a researcher at the South Korean consulate in Hawaii. I checked all the boxes—a Korean national, fluent in English, with a master's degree and expertise in U.S. government and international relations.

I spent a therapeutic year there, built good reputations with people and eventually moved to a new job at the Embassy in DC. My current job has its own perks and downsides, but I like how this “Plan B” has turned out so far. The experience also taught me the need for flexibility and adaptability, as life seldom goes according to plan.

Cultural Lessons and Academic Rigor

When you think back to your time at UC Davis, what memories stand out the most?

Some of my favorite memories are not from special occasions, but from the most simple slivers of everyday life: taking the weekend shopper bus (“O” line) to and from Target, biking to Lake Spafford to watch the flock of ducks, renting DVDs from the downtown Blockbuster store (now closed), watching late night shows on Comedy Central and treating myself to movies at the small Regal theater downtown after exams.

As for the classes, would you believe I took a course on playing World of Warcraft? I did! It was designed for ESL (English as a second language) users like me to discuss how in-game uses of English differ from textbook or offline conversations. I also had to reach the max level by the end of the semester, a benchmark I reached way earlier, of course. It’s probably the single most memorable course I’ve taken in my life.

How would you describe UC Davis and the surrounding community?

Davis perfectly fits the description of a small, peaceful college town: a safe and welcoming community built around UC Davis as its economic and cultural anchor.

One defining feature of Davis is how bike-friendly it is—and I biked everywhere. Getting around was not much trouble, and the Unitrans bus was there for longer trips or bad weather.

Another thing I greatly appreciated was the safety. Sure, bike theft can be a problem, but I don’t remember ever feeling threatened or unsafe while walking or biking, something I can’t say about many other cities I’ve lived in. As someone with zero experience living abroad before Davis, this safety factor meant a lot—I didn’t fully appreciate it until after living in other cities. I think many international students would appreciate this.

How did the Global Study Program influence your personal growth?

Visiting Davis was the very first time I set foot on foreign soil, and it was an eye-opening experience for me. South Korea is a small, homogeneous country whose culture often values order and subservience over freedom and individuality.

When I started at UC Davis, what stood out to me the most was the discussion sessions that encouraged students to voice their opinions. At my home university, most lectures went by without anyone asking a single question. As an ESL user, it was challenging at first to contribute meaningfully to discussions, but over time, I adapted and preferred it over the lecture-only format.

I appreciated the chance to encounter a different culture and way of thinking. These real-life encounters broadened my view in ways that couldn’t be achieved through books and articles.

Learning Through Real-World English

What challenges did you face while studying abroad, and how did they prepare you for your work today?

The biggest challenge was the language barrier. I received formal English education in South Korea, but what you learn in the classroom and from textbooks doesn’t necessarily prepare you for real-world conversations.

When I first arrived in Davis, I walked into Jack in the Box (still standing today) to have my very first lunch and was hit with an unfamiliar question: “Regular or curly (fries)?”

After asking the clerk to repeat it a few times, I settled on regular—because I didn’t know what curly fries were. Then came the knock-out punch: “For here or to go?”

At no point in my English language education back home had I heard this phrase. After another series of awkward exchanges, I explained that I would be eating inside.

This is just one of the many embarrassing and sometimes amusing exchanges I had, but experiences like this taught me that there simply is no alternative to learning a language other than talking to real people, making mistakes and learning from them. My one year in Davis was full of those moments, and my language skills grew by leaps and bounds. I drew on these experiences throughout my graduate studies and my professional work in the U.S.

Oh, and for the record, I’d take curly fries any day of the week.

Balancing Academics and Experience

What did you do especially well during your time in the program?

I think I nailed the academic aspect. I had a very clear set of goals when I applied to the Global Study Program: take as many classes on American politics and government as possible. I took my coursework very seriously. In my fall quarter, I voice-recorded each lecture I attended, listened to playbacks at home and made detailed study notes. While extremely time-consuming, it was also immensely helpful.

As I adjusted to life in Davis, I learned to strike the right balance between the quality of study notes and efficiency. Three quarters later, I completed my academic year with straight A’s, earning some nice recognition at the Global Study Program farewell gathering. Much of what I learned also came in handy in graduate school and my research at work.

Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

The flip side of being laser-focused on academics is that I didn’t pay enough attention to anything other than coursework. I’m also an introvert who prefers solo activities over outdoor adventures and socializing. I sometimes wish I had been more outgoing.

For example, I skipped the Global Study Program field trip to Napa Valley and never visited Sacramento, just a 15-minute train ride from Davis. If I could go back in time, I’d probably strive for a broader range of experiences—not just academics.

I also wish I had paid more attention to my diet. I fell in love with fast food and sugary drinks during my stay and overlooked the health effects.

Advice to Current Students

What advice would you give incoming Global Study Program students on getting the most out of their time in Davis?

First of all, I envy you! My year in Davis is one of the highlights of my life, and I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I did.

Something I realized later is that you rarely appreciate the full beauty of the campus and the community you live in until you’re no longer there. When I revisited Davis—after 15 years—I was blown away: incredible weather, beautiful foliage, the Arboretum, downtown eateries, bike-friendly streets and decent public transit. I didn’t realize how good it was when I was a student.

So even if you’re busy, take a step back and look around. You might like what you find.

Also, while I still believe in the importance of studying hard (you’re in one of the best public universities in the U.S., after all), take full advantage of what Davis offers you. If you’re on the fence about going somewhere or doing something—like joining a field trip—go for it!

Lastly, every Global Study Program staff member I met during my stay was wonderful. So current and prospective students: you are in good hands!