By Stefan Yablonski
Gyounghyun Ko is from Jeonju, South Korea. He’s an accounting student at SUNY Oswego. He participated in commencement in May — his degree was officially conferred Aug. 14. Over the summer he completed an internship with SUNY Oswego’s International Student and Scholar Services office, assisted incoming international and exchange students.
“I go by Rush in English,” he said.
His journey to Oswego began during a period when he was reconsidering his future.
“Throughout much of my earlier school life, I wasn’t an especially motivated or academically focused student. I didn’t have a clear goal. I was uncertain about what I genuinely wanted to pursue,” he said. “As I began thinking seriously about my career and the direction of my life, I learned about an educational organization in Korea that prepared students to study in America. It was through that organization that I discovered SUNY Oswego.”
Studying in in the U.S. felt like a major challenge. He had very limited exposure to English aside from a few short trips when he was younger — “I was particularly afraid of communicating in English. The organization’s [International Education Exchange Association] English curriculum helped me develop the academic and communication skills necessary to apply to Oswego,” he added.
Before coming to Oswego, he received “significant support” from the International Education Exchange Association — a study-abroad education organization that helped prepare him to attend an American university. It was designed not simply to help students pass an English test but prepare them for the actual expectations of university-level coursework in America.
“IEEA provided a rigorous English preparation program called PEAP, to help students adjust to university-level coursework America. It focused on essential academic skills such as reading, speaking, writing and grammar,” he explained.
Being admitted was only the beginning of the transition.
“No one in my family lived in the United States. I was preparing to travel alone to a country where I’d never lived. I remember feeling excited about the opportunity, also deeply nervous about communicating in English, adapting to a different educational system, living independently and learning how to manage unfamiliar procedures and daily responsibilities,” he said.
He expected the transition to be difficult — SUNY Oswego supported him from the beginning.
“My professors took time to explain material carefully whenever I had difficulty understanding something. My academic adviser consistently treated my concerns with patience and sincerity,” he said. “I came to realize the faculty I encountered weren’t only highly capable instructors but also people who were genuinely invested in their students’ development. They treated me with respect regardless of my nationality, age or background. They understood international students face additional linguistic, cultural and academic challenges. They helped me learn how to study effectively, communicate with greater confidence and navigate the university system.”
Oswego provides international students with valuable resources, including academic advising, orientation programs, administrative assistance and a community where students could seek help without feeling isolated, he added.
He can clearly see how much he’s changed since arriving at Oswego.
“I came to the America without a clear professional goal; with significant anxiety about whether I’d succeed in an English-speaking academic environment. Today, I have a defined objective of becoming a certified public accountant. I’ll be moving to Nashville to begin the next stage of my professional journey,” he said. “The accounting knowledge, practical experience and confidence I gained at SUNY Oswego prepared me well for that transition. Just as importantly, the guidance I received from the faculty helped me develop a realistic and structured career plan. My experience at Oswego has influenced not only my career goals but also how I view my future. I’m now seriously considering building my long-term life and career in America.”
Why Nashville?
“I’ll move to Nashville because I received an opportunity to work for an accounting firm there. Finding a U.S. employer willing to hire an international graduate during Optional Practical Training can be challenging. [OPT is a temporary work authorization for students allowing up to 12 months of employment directly related to their major area of study.] I’m grateful to have received this opportunity. It’ll allow me to apply the accounting knowledge I gained at SUNY Oswego, gain professional experience in America and continue working toward my goal of becoming a certified public accountant,” he explained.
Oswego’s faculty, academic resources and international student support helped him adapt, grow and develop clear academic and professional goals.
“IEEA played an important role by helping me build the foundation necessary to benefit from those opportunities. Its staff members were highly responsible, attentive and committed to monitoring students’ progress,” he added.
What distinguished IEEA was its support extended beyond simply helping students gain admission. They took students’ preparation, adjustment and future success seriously.
“Based on my experience, I’d strongly recommend the organization to Korean students who are considering studying in the United States” he said.
The Challenges
One of the greatest challenges he faced was building relationships, making decisions and a professional network.
“I didn’t have any family members, friends or professional connections here. I had to learn how to create those relationships on my own,” he explained. “That was more difficult because English isn’t my first language. I was initially hesitant to speak because I was worried about making mistakes. My professors helped me overcome that. They encouraged me to ask questions, visit office hours and communicate more confidently.
“Their support became especially important when I was admitted to graduate programs at both NYU and Cornell for fall 2026. I had difficulty deciding whether I should attend graduate school or first gain professional experience. Several professors took the time to discuss my goals and the advantages and disadvantages of each path. With their guidance, I ultimately decided where I’ll go and to build professional experience first and pursue graduate study the following year.”
“I’ve made friends from many different backgrounds. One of my closest friends in America is Korean American. I’ve spent considerable time with American students as well as students from other countries,” he said. “One piece of advice I’d give international students is not to remain only within a group from their own country. Building friendships with local students is one of the best ways to improve English, understand American culture and become more comfortable participating in the community. At the same time, friendships with other international students are also valuable because they understand many of the same challenges. The best experience comes from being open to relationships with people from every background.”
As for his favorite American food, “I’d choose burgers. I’ve enjoyed trying different styles of burgers available in America,” he said.
