For Jungeun Kang, the path to becoming a Yellow Jacket was longer than most—literally. Kang is an exchange student from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a study abroad program with over 300 member schools across more than 50 countries.

Kang is one of over 30 international students from over 20 countries studying at Randolph-Macon this semester. “RMC greatly values the significant contribution of international students,” said Bayleigh Dyer, Assistant Director of the Office of International Education. “In the classroom, they enrich learning on a daily basis. On campus, their diverse lifestyles introduce cultural richness and innovative approaches. Their presence also encourages the community to broaden its horizons and embrace a more global outlook.” 

During the application process, one element that drew Kang to Randolph-Macon was its convenient, centralized location on the East Coast, fitting for a college based in “the Center of the Universe.” When she learned she was accepted, Kang familiarized herself with the school even before she stepped foot in the U.S, connecting with Rachel Halstead ’26, who was spending a semester abroad at Ewha herself at the time. 

Kang, a Business Marketing major, chose to use her time at Randolph-Macon to focus on elective classes. In addition to classes in acting and U.S. history, she’s taking two film studies courses. Her favorite class is Writing for Film, with Professor Ted Salins. “I want to be a marketer in the film industry,” she says, “so that’s why I chose film studies.” Alongside these classes, she is participating in Concert Choir, led by Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities Antonio Hunt.

Randolph-Macon’s tight-knit community has been a significant contributor to Kang’s experience at the College. “There are a lot of great people,” she notes. “I made a lot of good friends.” Part of this is thanks to the smaller class sizes that Randolph-Macon provides. “My home university, it’s really big,” says Kang. “In one class, we have like 100 people.” In contrast, she has enjoyed the opportunity offered by classes at RMC to meaningfully engage with classmates. Additionally, she has appreciated getting to know her professors on a personal level. That, says Kang, is “the best part.”

Kang attributes much of her smooth transition to life at Randolph-Macon to the week of International Student Orientation, led by the Office of International Education, prior to the start of the semester. She’s thankful for the opportunity it gave her to adjust to life in America and to forge friendships with fellow international students. “I feel more connection with people because they made that time for me,” she says. “I really appreciate that.”

Something Kang has enjoyed during her time at Randolph-Macon is getting to participate in American cultural practices. One of her favorite memories so far was Halloween on campus. “In Korea, we don’t really celebrate Halloween a lot,” she points out, so it was great fun to experience the decorations, costumes, and festivities of the day. She’s also looking forward to spending Thanksgiving at a friend’s house over the upcoming break. On weekends, she’s utilized Ashland’s convenient location several times to make trips to Washington, D.C., seeing it as yet another opportunity to engage with American culture.

Overall, Kang speaks glowingly of her experience studying abroad at Randolph-Macon. “It makes me want to live here a little bit [longer],” she says. “I want to experience more about America.” To anyone considering studying abroad, she advises: “Be open-minded. Just be open to everything, meet new people, be kind to everyone.” It is this sort of spirit that sets students up for success, wherever they are in the world.