Elon MBA and MSBA students visited South Korea over Winter Term to observe how traditional culture intersects with modern business.
Between centuries-old palaces and cutting-edge AI startups, a group of Elon Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Business Analytics students recently immersed themselves in South Korea’s cultural heritage and rapidly evolving business landscape.
Led by Brittany Mercado, associate professor of management and chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, and Robert Moorman, the Frank S. Holt, Jr. Professor of Business Leadership and professor of organizational behavior, the nine-day experience took students from the streets of Seoul to the industrial city of Pohang.
The program provided an up-close look at how tradition and technology coexist in one of Asia’s most dynamic economies.
“Every experience challenged me to look beyond familiar corporate models,” said Madeline Ludwig ’23 G’25, an MSBA student from Nashville, Tennessee. “From the moment we touched down, I realized how deeply cultural values like respect and teamwork influence business operations here.”
Students began to see a recurring theme during site visits.
“I was amazed by how ancient customs fit seamlessly with high-tech innovation,” said Liz Sulley ’25 G’25, an MSBA student from Staten Island, New York. “It’s an approach I’d love to bring into my future career, where tradition and progress can complement each other.”
In between company tours, the cohort also met with individuals who fled North Korea through Freedom Speakers International. Hearing firsthand accounts of resilience and reinvention provided new perspectives on societal challenges.
“Their stories highlighted incredible perseverance,” Sulley said. “It also brought home the region’s humanitarian issues—something that rarely surfaces in day-to-day business discussions.”
Beyond formal meetings, cultural immersion added depth to what students learned in conference rooms. Ludwig and her cohort enjoyed late-night karaoke sessions and sampling puffer fish as steps in understanding Korean approaches to collaboration and problem-solving.
“Diving into everyday customs gave me a richer sense of how Koreans work together,” Ludwig said. “It’s something I’ll carry with me in any team environment.”
Site visits included:
- Posco Steel in Pohang
- Wells Fargo Korea
- Samjeong KPMG
- EY Korea
- SV Investment
- Ringle AI Tutors
For many, witnessing South Korea’s rapid economic development, less than a century after devastation offered lessons in adaptability and a broader global awareness.
“Seeing how they rebuilt and continue to innovate reminded me that business success is deeply tied to resilience,” Ludwig said. “There’s no better classroom than the world itself.”
Both students encouraged peers to seek out global study opportunities.
“Studying abroad isn’t just about adding passport stamps; it’s about transforming your perspective,” Sulley said. “If you get the chance, go. You’ll grow in ways you never imagined.”