SAF Alumni Kijung Park’s Journey from UC Berkeley to Silicon Valley

When Kijung Park first began thinking about studying abroad, he was excited about the possibilities… but he also felt completely lost.

“I honestly had no idea where to start. Everything felt very overwhelming.”

A Robotics Engineering student at Kwangwoon University in Korea, Kijung knew he wanted to challenge himself academically, but navigating the applications, visas, and university options felt daunting for someone with an already busy academic schedule.

Finding SAF & Benefits

He learned about SAF through his university’s Office of International Affairs. He found that its organized, easy-to-digest lists of partner universities, plus the access to experienced advisors, made the hurdle of studying abroad suddenly feel more possible.

Enrolling in UC Berkeley's BISP

In Fall 2024, Kijung arrived at the University of California, Berkeley to begin a semester in the Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) at one of the world’s most demanding and innovative engineering environments. He chose Berkeley for its strong robotics and engineering reputation, and for the opportunity to study alongside degree-seeking students in real, upper-level courses.

Coursework & Class Experience

He deliberately chose courses that would stretch him well beyond his comfort zone, enrolling in advanced courses open to both undergraduates and graduate students. These included Robot Locomotion and Autonomous Flight Control, two technically intense, project-based subjects that combined theory with hands-on lab work.

In Robot Locomotion, for instance, he worked as part of a team to research, design, and build a walking robot from the ground up. In Autonomous Flight Control, he explored the physics and control theory behind quadcopters, learning how lift, stability, and sensor data translate into real-world flight.

One professor even built a quadcopter from LEGO blocks to demonstrate how sensors worked in real time. 

“It was such a fun and clear way to show, not just tell, how things worked. That kind of teaching really stayed with me.”

The energy of Berkeley’s classrooms made just as much of an impression. Lively discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and highly engaged peers pushed him to think bigger and work harder.

Life in California

Outside the classroom, Kijung threw himself into campus life, joining the Cal Archery Club, traveling with new friends to Los Angeles, Yosemite National Park, and the Grand Canyon, and building a global network of peers who shared his drive to innovate.

Feeling Supported by SAF 

Behind the scenes, SAF was making sure everything ran smoothly during his time abroad.

“What I appreciated most was how much SAF prioritized safety, sending alerts whenever needed."

That support, Kijung believes, removed much of the uncertainty of being in a foreign environment, allowing him to focus fully on learning and earn a remarkable 4.0 GPA.

Career Prospects & Impact of Study Abroad

The impact of his time abroad became clear soon after he returned to Korea. In 2025, Kijung was selected for the NVIDIA-NIPA AI Expert Program, a prestigious 320-hour training initiative co-hosted by U.S. technology giant NVIDIA. He was invited to take part in a training program in Silicon Valley, where he collaborated alongside professionals from other major tech firms like Meta and Google. Among an already elite cohort of other participants, Kijung was able to stand out, earning recognition as an Outstanding Performer on the final project.

“My experiences at Berkeley prepared me more than I could have imagined. Studying abroad pushed me to manage multiple team projects, tackle demanding assignments, and set higher standards for myself. I know I wouldn’t have achieved this without SAF.”

More importantly, his long-term ambitions changed after studying abroad:

“Before going to Berkeley, I thought I’d just get a stable job back home. Now I realize that would be too boring. There’s a whole world of amazing people out there who are making an impact on the world, and I want to be one of them.”