Friends without Borders: Honors duo turns winter break into a second study abroad adventure

There’s no slowing Natalie Miller and Madeline Bolger down, especially when it comes to international travel.

The two Commonwealth University–Bloomsburg Honors students spent part of their winter break studying at Chungnam National University (CNU) in South Korea, adding a second international experience to their college careers before graduating this spring.

The trip marked another chapter in their shared study abroad journey. After enjoying a summer together two years ago in Florence, Italy, they were committed to exploring the world together one more time.

“We heard about this program over winter break in South Korea and decided to go for it,” said Miller, a senior business administration marketing major.

While based in Daejeon, they made the most of their time abroad. In addition to exploring the city, they traveled to Busan, Jeonju, Gongju, and Seoul, and even visited Tokyo, Japan, before arriving in Korea.

“We really tried to see as much as possible,” Miller said. “Being able to experience different cities — even a different country — made the trip that much more special.”

Miller enrolled in a condensed two-week course focused on Korean culture. Though structured similarly to courses in the United States, the class introduced unique customs and hands-on learning experiences that set it apart from the start.

“On the first day of class, we learned that students only enter a classroom through the back door to show respect,” Miller said. “Another takeaway was accepting papers from the professor with both hands instead of just one.”

Each day focused on a different aspect of Korean culture, including history, traditional games, music, K-dramas, marriage customs, funerals, and language. The course blended lecture with hands-on activities.

“Our professor did a great job with the application of these topics,” Miller said. “We played Yutnori in class, practiced Korean calligraphy on white envelopes, and watched various K-dramas significant to the culture.”

One of her favorite memories came from a stamp-making activity organized by CNU.

“I really enjoyed getting to carve my own personal stamp to say ‘밀러’ (Miller),” she said. “A calligraphist wrote our full name in Korean when we were finished. It’s definitely my favorite souvenir.”

Before the program even began, Miller and Bolger experienced another memorable moment while traveling to Asia. “Maddie and I spent a few days in Tokyo before flying to South Korea,” Miller said. “On our flight, we flew over Mount Fuji, which was such a cool experience.”

For Bolger, one of the most meaningful experiences came during a program field trip to Jeonju.

“It was the most memorable thing for me,” said Bolger, a senior media and journalism major. “During this trip, we tasted Bibimbap, which is a traditional Korean meal consisting of rice, beef, vegetables, an egg, and spicy chili paste.”

The group also explored Jeonju’s cultural village, where traditional Korean houses stand alongside churches, temples, and government buildings.

“It was so different from the cities we had visited, such as Daejeon and Seoul,” Bolger said. “It was cool to experience another type of Korean lifestyle.”

Both students said navigating daily life abroad pushed them to grow in unexpected ways.

“I love figuring out new transportation systems and successfully getting from point A to point B in a foreign country,” Miller said. “That’s what really pushes me to grow.”

She also noticed cultural differences that left a lasting impression.

“In Korea and Japan, metros are extremely quiet,” she said. “We’d be in full cars, and it would be dead silent because everyone just keeps to themselves.”

For Bolger, the biggest adjustment was overcoming the language barrier, especially outside major cities.

“While in Seoul, most people knew some English, so it wasn’t a big problem,” Bolger said. “However, once we got into the smaller cities and villages, not as many people spoke English.”

To adapt, she learned basic Korean phrases and used translation apps when needed.

“It was difficult to communicate what you wanted when the person didn’t understand what you were trying to say,” she said. “After a while, we got used to it and learned the basics of what we needed to know, but it was definitely an adjustment.”

As Honors students, both see clear connections between their global experience and their future careers. Miller has taken international business courses at Bloomsburg and said she was able to apply what she learned directly.

“I was able to directly apply what I’ve learned in my courses,” she said. “I also really enjoyed getting to be on the other side of things as the international student.”

Her upcoming Honors capstone project will compare out-of-home advertising in Korea and the United States, tying into her previous internship experience.

“I think it would be really cool to work for an international company doing something in marketing at some point in my career,” Miller said. “This experience definitely reinforced that goal.”

Bolger said the experience broadened her worldview and will directly impact her work as a future broadcaster.

“Learning and experiencing this cultural uniqueness allowed me to learn to respect other cultures and appreciate them for the diversity they bring to the world,” Bolger said. “I have learned to love different cultures and to push myself out of my comfort zone.”

Facing communication challenges also strengthened her professional skills.

“Because I was faced with a language barrier while in South Korea, I learned new communication skills,” she said. “That will help me as a broadcaster when I need to interview people who might not speak English or report on events happening in a foreign country.”

Looking ahead to graduation, both students say studying abroad has prepared them for what comes next.

“I feel more confident and prepared to enter the ‘real world,’” Bolger said. “This trip has shown me that I can navigate challenges as they approach and be self-sufficient, even when it is uncomfortable.”

Miller said the experience reaffirmed her mindset of saying yes to opportunities.

“I try to keep the attitude of saying ‘yes’ to as many professional opportunities as possible,” she said. “This experience reaffirmed that mindset.”

Their advice to other students considering studying abroad is simple.

“Studying abroad truly does change your life,” Miller said. “You get to be fully out of your comfort zone, immersed in a completely new country, while making decisions independently.”

Bolger agreed.

“It is truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” she said. “It will change you in the best way.