When studying abroad, do something that you don’t expect to do ever again.  

This is the advice of Audrey Wirasakti. The dual degree student in food biosciences and agricultural economics studied for a semester this year as a full-time student at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.  

“No matter where you go, you’re going to be out of your comfort zone,” Wirasakti said. “So take advantage of the chance to try new things.”  

A Lexington native, Wirasakti had traveled to Japan through an exchange program while she was in high school. That experience solidified her desire to study abroad in college. With an interest in international agriculture development, Wirasakti has also considered living abroad when she’s older.  

“I wanted to test the waters a little bit—how I would adjust, what that would be like for me emotionally, physically and socially,” Wirasakti said.  

The University of Kentucky and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment offer many education abroad programs and partners to help students find the right fit. Wirasakti had several boxes to check, including her academic needs, what fit her timeline for graduation and how comfortable she would be wherever she traveled.  

As an Asian American person who had visited South Korea on vacation with her family, Wirasakti was interested in studying in an Asian country. She wanted to be a full-time student to earn adequate credits to stay on track for graduation, and to get the full experience of being a student abroad.  

A full semester at Korea University, which ran from March to June, fit her needs—especially with food science programming taught in English. She took five classes: food chemistry, applied econometrics, international finance, Korean trade in the world economy and organization theories.  

Wirasakti said her courses at Korea University have complemented and enriched her education. For example, her UK classes centered on applications such as case studies and current developments, while her classes at Korea University focused more on theory. 

Wirasakti started her education thinking she would work in food science, but classes at both UK and Korea University have cultivated her interest in agricultural economics, specifically at the international scale.  

“Having the experience to take classes that focus heavily on theory and foundation is really helpful to learn about, for what I might want to do with my future especially,” Wirasakti said. 

To get the full experience of living abroad, Wirasakti balanced traveling and social activities with her studies. In Seoul, she enjoyed eating out and getting “a really good latte” at affordable prices, while taking advantage of the public transportation system.  

She’s also traveled around South Korea, including to the beach city of Busan and the demilitarized zone, more commonly known as the DMZ.  

“I was trying to get all the different niche experiences of living in South Korea,” Wirasakti said. 

Studying abroad is one option for the experiential learning required of all Martin-Gatton CAFE students.  

"Students come back from these experiences truly changed for the better and ready to take on challenges,” said Liz Combs, senior lecturer in the UK Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. “During their time abroad, most students develop independence, resilience, empathy, and a broader world view.” 

Studying abroad made Wirasakti feel more comfortable and confident in herself in new environments. She learned more about what is important to her and how she wants to express herself.  

“It’s cliche to say studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it really is,” Wirasakti said. “You are studying abroad as a young adult, and that’s a very formative experience.” 

For more information about education abroad opportunities, visit https://students.ca.uky.edu/educationabroad.  

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Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.