In this month’s staff spotlight, get to know Jihye Song, our Student Counseling Manager based at our SAF Korea office! From guiding students through every step of their study abroad journey to sharing her own experiences from Germany and Australia, Jihye brings warmth, insight, and enthusiasm to everything she does. Learn how her passion for student success—and a little dancing on the side—helps make global dreams a reality for students:
What's your role at SAF?
JS: I am the Student Counseling Manager for SAF Korea. I believe my role is to shape students' first impression of SAF. Students approach me with questions about SAF and I explain in detail about SAF and the programs we provide during counseling. I encourage students to apply as visiting students and share my own as well as alumni's experiences! In addition, I help students with application forms and document submissions, as well as departure and visa preparations. Students contact me every day before their departure, and I train them on the mindset and experiences they should have before embarking on their study abroad journey. It is quite wonderful to watch them adjust successfully when they arrive on-site.
What’s your favorite thing about working in the Korea office?
JS: I like the fact that I get to talk to students every day. I enjoy talking to people and mingling, so even when I work alone, I don't feel I am alone as I always meet students, which is fun. I believe it suits my personality well. And I like the work environment which I can concentrate entirely on my tasks. SAF Korea's office is in Myeongdong, Seoul, in the UNESCO building which is quiet and peaceful. I enjoy the flexibility of working from home on Mondays and Fridays as well.
What’s a typical day like in your role?
JS: When I get to office in the morning, I first handle the piled up inquiries from students. Students can freely ask questions to SAF Korea through KakaoTalk, and there are always many inquiries about the programs or the application process. I answer students’ inquiries in real time throughout the day. In addition, I discuss special issues with students through meetings with SAF HQ or emails. I usually have a consultation with students starting at 10 AM. The consultation usually lasts until 4 or 5 PM, and I currently meet with an average of 4 to 6 students a day. I sometimes have an info session to explain the programs, discuss student expenses with the Accounting team, manage Global Ambassadors, and sometimes write columns or post student testimonials on the SAF Korea blog.
How did you first hear about this organization, and what led you to join?
JS: Our SAF Korea Director, Suyeon Lee, actually offered me this job through LinkedIn! I met Suyeon at my former job when she was a manager in a German school. She remembered me and she offered me the job! I was familiar with the study abroad industry, and I expected to get rewarded for working with students and providing them with support in the admission process! I also believed I could talk a lot about my experiences as an exchange student and intern in Germany and Australia, respectively, and I joined because I thought I could give a lot of career-related insights that I'd gained in the headhunting profession.
How do you think study abroad changes students’ lives?
JS: Study abroad experiences allow students to flourish as global citizens. Students can widen their perspective on the world and explore themselves while studying abroad, adjusting to their new surroundings, and resolving issues that arise during their studies. In addition to learning about themselves, they discover how people and students in different countries live, what their thoughts are, and what their aspirations are while attending university. This exposes students to the myriad choices available in the world, and as a result, kids get the ability to choose how they live. As a result, study abroad experiences can have a significant impact on students' life!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students considering studying abroad?
JS: My recommendation to students studying abroad is to be more open-minded. Korean students sometimes have values that can be considered somewhat conservative. However, international and Korean cultures are very different, and I believe that in order to learn how people in other countries think and act while studying abroad, students must be open-minded and willing to embrace and acknowledge the differences. That also presents an opportunity to learn more! While I studied abroad in Germany, I was able to grow and realize myself the most by being more open-minded and participating in many activities with foreign students.
What’s a university or destination you always get excited about recommending to students?
JS: University of California Berkeley! The school is one of the most prestigious in the United States and is located in the Silicon Valley area. Most of the students are already familiar with UC Berkeley and are overjoyed to learn that there is a visiting student program! I feel rewarded and suggest programs at UC Berkeley even more with the students’ reactions. Also UC Berkeley offers a number of program options, making it possible for students with diverse majors to apply. Many students that interact with UC Berkeley students have grown and participated in numerous school-related events. UC Berkeley is the most favored university among Korean students!
If you could study abroad, where would you go and why?
JS: Columbia University! It has always been my wish to study at one of Ivy Leagues.
What’s a local food or drink you’d recommend to visiting colleagues?
JS: I want many of my coworkers to enjoy great Korean cuisine a lot! Dakgalbi is my favorite Korean dish and I highly recommend it. Dakgalbi is a dish which chicken is stir-fried in Korean traditional sauce and typically served with cheese. We invited many host university partners to this Dakgalbi place and had a good time. Makgeolli is a Korean cocktail that pairs well with Dakgalbi. Makgeolli is also known as Korean traditional rice wine. It has the invigorating taste of a carbonated drink, which I really enjoy!
What’s your favorite hobby or activity outside of work?
JS: I am quite a good dancer 😊 I usually practice dancing with my friends in a studio whenever I have time, record the video, and share it to social media. In fact, my twin sister is a professional dance instructor, and we always dance together! I also made wonderful memories while teaching dance classes to IES Abroad Seoul students during 2024 Spring semester!
What does the 25th anniversary of this organization mean to you?
JS: As a counseling manager at SAF Korea, I am very proud of the our 25th anniversary. It indicates that SAF has a diverse range of experiences and a strong reputation in the study abroad field, which many Korean universities and students value. I am also working hard to build on that 25-year tradition and to provide SAF programs to more students.
What do you think has been the biggest impact the organization has made on students?
JS: SAF offers Korean students study abroad opportunities that they cannot access through their home universities. It is incredibly meaningful for Korean students throughout their most essential college years. SAF allows them to experience their dream school, which has a significant impact on their future jobs and career paths as well as changing their lives. This is why many Korean students regard SAF as unique. When SAF Korea celebrated its 25th anniversary, we hosted an alumni party for students, and the most common feedback we received was that they were appreciative for us making their study abroad experience comfortable and fulfilling, as well as giving alumni networking opportunities.
