SAF Korea Welcomes IES Global CEO Gregory Hess for First Visit and Alumni Event

Dr. Gregory D. Hess got a firsthand look at SAF and IES Abroad’s growing community in Korea in September. During his first visit to SAF Korea, the President and CEO of SAF and IES Global, joined nearly 90 alumni and current students for a networking evening in Seoul.

It was also a rare opportunity to bring together two sides of the study abroad experience. SAF Korea alumni who had traveled overseas for their programs met IES Seoul students who had come from around the world to study in the South Korean capital, giving both groups plenty to compare notes on.

Dr. Hess on Study Abroad

Dr. Hess kicked off the evening with a subject that was close to home: his own experiences studying abroad in the United Kingdom and the influence it had on the life and career that followed.

“One of the things that we believe in very strongly at IES Abroad is that you will have a life-changing experience when you study abroad."

 

"If everybody in the world had that opportunity, we would live in a much better world than we do right now."

Presentations from IES Global Students & Alumni

The evening offered a chance to hear how those experiences have played out for students at different stages of their study abroad journeys.

Jua Im of Incheon National University spent Spring and Fall 2024 at American University on its Washington Semester Program, while Yonsei University’s Yukyeong Jang completed the IES London Full-Time Internship Program in Spring 2025. Both made presentations to share what they took away from their time abroad, from personal growth to the ways the experience has shaped how they think about their careers.

Next, current study abroad students shared their own experiences. Lewis & Clark College’s Keith Hipp II is spending Fall 2026 at Yonsei University, while San Diego State University student Cloudia Campbell arrived in Korea for the IES Seoul & Tokyo Program after completing an IES Milan Business Program earlier in the summer. They spoke about why they chose to go abroad, what they expected before arriving, and how reality has compared so far.

For his first visit to SAF Korea, however, the networking evening offered something that meetings alone could not: the chance to meet the students at the heart of these partnerships. From alumni reflecting on their time overseas to current students making their own memories in Korea, it was a chance to see the many different ways global education continues to shape lives.

Student Networking Session

A networking session followed the presentations, giving alumni and current students a chance to get to know one another and swap stories about their different study abroad experiences. For some, it was also an opportunity to discover SAF and IES programs they hadn't known about before, explore future study abroad experiences, and chat about future academic and career ambitions.

There was a little fun mixed in with the networking, too. Students tried their luck in a lucky draw featuring gift cards and other prizes, including a bilingual Korean-English keyboard.

Behind-the-Scenes Support from SAF Korea & IES Global Seoul Center Directors

The evening also gave SAF Korea Director Suyeon Lee and IES Seoul Center Director Kyusuk Kim a chance to share some of what happens behind the scenes to make these experiences possible. Lee spoke about SAF Korea’s work to connect more Korean students with international opportunities, while Kim discussed the Seoul Center’s emphasis on resilience, connectivity and respect when welcoming and supporting students in South Korea.

Dr. Hess's Visit Unites Partners & Students

The gathering was just one stop during Dr. Hess’s September 7-9 visit to the country. He also met delegates from Seoul Women’s University, Soongsil University, Sungkyunkwan University and Korea University, hearing directly from university partners about their priorities and ideas for future collaboration.