A Note from Amira: Reflecting on Her Time at SUITE Lab 🌱

Amira, a visiting student at SUITE Lab, joined us from October 2025 to January 2026. As her visit came to an end, she shared a short reflection on her experience in the lab.

I had the opportunity to spend three months conducting research at the SUITE LAB at Korea University under the supervision of Pr.SeongCheol Kim, and it was an enriching experience on many levels! First, of course, the stay was enriching for my research: as my work focuses on the impact of Korean content diffusion on the country's territorial branding, an in-situ experience was perfect for developing observational data, but also for meeting various actors involved in promoting the territory and its brands internationally. The experience within the laboratory itself helped me to develop my way of thinking and further improved my ability to gain perspective and open-mindedness, both in general and in terms of my approach to research. Meeting other students, researchers, and professors was an opportunity to meet people who work on the same core subjects as me, but through different disciplines and approaches. These exchanges naturally changed my perception of my research topic and made it easier for me to pursue my studies. Similarly, working in a different country also means discovering new work methods: at the SUITE LAB, they seemed more collaborative to me, and they allowed for much more frequent exchanges, which in turn helped me to develop my thinking and ideas much more quickly. Lastly, the guidance I received from Pr. Kim was invaluable in helping me focus on my goals and stay centered on a clear direction for my actions during my stay. His availability and responsiveness made our exchanges all the more interesting and enriching. On a more personal and human level, I would like to thank all the members of the laboratory for integrating me into their team so quickly - and I would like to give special thanks to Seungyeon ☺️ - because feeling part of a team is a huge facilitator for work but also for life in general, especially when you find yourself in a new cultural environment. I have nothing but positive things to share about my slice of life at the SUITE LAB!

We were also glad to have you with us, Amira. We appreciated the perspectives, energy, and kindness you brought to SUITE Lab.