👋 who's jj?
Aloha! My name is Jeryll John "J.J." Bernardo and I’m a senior at the Shidler College of Business pursuing BBAs in Human Resource Management, Marketing, and International Business. I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and I hail from a small town where my family operated a papaya business. Living in Hawaii has awarded me the opportunity to experience a multitude of cultures, a facet of life that never ceases to amaze me. This drives me to travel the world and experience the variety of cultures that our world offers.
At Shidler, I am a member of the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow (BEST) and the Aloha Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). I am also an initiated Brother of the Rho Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi. Above all, I am absolutely fond of the 'ohana (family) that I have found at the Shidler College of Business. I will be forever grateful for the many friends, peers, and faculty who have afforded me the opportunity to grow as a future business professional.
Over the next few months, I am beyond excited to spend this fall semester at Korea University Business School. I look forward to sharing my journeys while being abroad, striving to maintain Shidler's commitment to international excellence. Whether you’re reading this to keep up with my journeys or to plan for your own study abroad adventure, I hope you enjoy joining me in embarking on this unique endeavor! 🤙🤙
At Shidler, I am a member of the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow (BEST) and the Aloha Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). I am also an initiated Brother of the Rho Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi. Above all, I am absolutely fond of the 'ohana (family) that I have found at the Shidler College of Business. I will be forever grateful for the many friends, peers, and faculty who have afforded me the opportunity to grow as a future business professional.
Over the next few months, I am beyond excited to spend this fall semester at Korea University Business School. I look forward to sharing my journeys while being abroad, striving to maintain Shidler's commitment to international excellence. Whether you’re reading this to keep up with my journeys or to plan for your own study abroad adventure, I hope you enjoy joining me in embarking on this unique endeavor! 🤙🤙
🧠 starting with why
Why did I choose to study abroad?
I think the real question to ask is why not! I have three primary reasons why I chose to study abroad.
I think the real question to ask is why not! I have three primary reasons why I chose to study abroad.
- I get to travel! Let’s get the obvious reason out of the way. As one who just entered his 21st year of existence, I find myself in the crossroads of leaving the comfort of being a college student and entering a busy world of career and life ambitions. When will be the next time I’ll be able to travel and have fun without much obligation?
- UH and Shidler offer so many resources to make a study abroad experience a reality. MIX offers lots of guidance on what countries to choose from and what schools to attend. Shidler’s international recognition and commitment to international excellence provides seamless opportunities (both financial and academic) to weave an exchange experience into your collegiate plan. With all of these resources available, it’d be a shame not to make use of them!
- I believe that we grow best when we're challenged, and what better way to challenge ourselves than to be far from home and far from comfort. Just think of the better person we might be after spending months living in a foreign country. Every “F” or “L” that we take makes us stronger, better, and more resilient human beings. Learning to adapt to a new culture affords us the opportunity to be more adaptable. Struggling in a new academic environment allows us to break through limits we thought we would never break. Being far from home grants us a renewed sense of appreciation for the wonders of the world and where everyone hails from, including ourselves.
Why South Korea?
Honestly speaking, I don’t really have a good answer for this. Knowing that I had the chance to spend time in a different country, I thought to myself, Why not go somewhere you haven’t thought about? South Korea was on my Oh-I’d-Never-Thought-About-Going-There list, and my gut feeling weirdly hinted that it’s the place to go to. Turns out it was a good call! I’ve spoken with peers who’ve spent time there and they shared many enticing stories and captivating memories.
Realistically speaking, I find South Korea truly fascinating. Their pop culture is increasingly being appreciated by the entire world, and their futuristic modernity grants a Big Island boy feelings that he has yet to discover. Korean food reaches many inexperienced taste buds, and I’m eager to expand the list of food that I’d die for.
Honestly speaking, I don’t really have a good answer for this. Knowing that I had the chance to spend time in a different country, I thought to myself, Why not go somewhere you haven’t thought about? South Korea was on my Oh-I’d-Never-Thought-About-Going-There list, and my gut feeling weirdly hinted that it’s the place to go to. Turns out it was a good call! I’ve spoken with peers who’ve spent time there and they shared many enticing stories and captivating memories.
Realistically speaking, I find South Korea truly fascinating. Their pop culture is increasingly being appreciated by the entire world, and their futuristic modernity grants a Big Island boy feelings that he has yet to discover. Korean food reaches many inexperienced taste buds, and I’m eager to expand the list of food that I’d die for.
Why Korea University?
In Korea, there are three prestigious universities that are the Korean equivalent of Ivy League institutions (well, to Koreans at least). They are called the SKY universities, which is an acronym for Seoul National University (SNU), Korea University (KU), and Yonsei University. With that, studying at Korea University would allow me to study at a world-class institution that is internationally ranked. KU is also in the outskirts of Seoul. There, I am able to find a healthy mix of both family and business orientations, which I find extremely helpful as I want to experience what it truly is like to live in South Korea. KU is known for their warm international buddy system, and as one who is a newbie in Korea, having a buddy to help me around is definitely a perk! From a practical stand point, there are many courses offered at KU that could transfer over back to UH Manoa. Moreover, there's a tight relationship between Korea University Business School and the Shidler College of Business. Both of these schools offer similar business classes, many of which would count towards business core, major core, and major elective courses. More info about KUBS can be found a little down from here! |
☑️ quick facts!
✈️How long will I be in South Korea?
Roughly five months. I’ll be there from August 09 to December 29, 2021.
👍What are 3 things I'm looking forward to?
👎What are 3 things I'm not looking forward to?
📔What are my bucket list items?
Here are my top ten bucket list items:
Roughly five months. I’ll be there from August 09 to December 29, 2021.
👍What are 3 things I'm looking forward to?
- Food, food, and food.
- Meeting new friends from all over the world.
- Experiencing the rigor of Asian academics.
👎What are 3 things I'm not looking forward to?
- Language barriers (thank goodness for Google Translate!)
- Relying on my legs and public transportation to get around.
- Spending the holidays away from home and family.
📔What are my bucket list items?
Here are my top ten bucket list items:
- Visiting Korean Drama landmarks (especially those shown in Itaewon Class, Start-Up, and Vincenzo).
- Eating every item from every street food vendor and marketplace.
- Trying to find the best restaurant with the best chicken & beer dishes.
- Indulging in different popular KBBQ locations and testing my stomach capacity.
- Checking out various cafes with different themes (there are dog cafes, cat cafes, even poop cafes!)
- Visiting the DMZ and catching a glimpse of North Korea.
- Singing my heart out in Karaoke booths.
- Visiting both historical and entertainment museums.
- Emptying my wallet shopping for clothes and accessories, especially for an assortment of prescription glasses.
- Taking new stylish and aesthetic photos since I need to update my profile pictures.
🏫THE STATS: KOREA UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL
While KU represents the whole academic institution, I’ll be attending the business oriented Korea University Business School (KUBS). Here are some quick facts about KUBS and why I’m stoked to study there!
1️⃣ KUBS has dual international accreditation by both AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System). 2️⃣ Ranked No. 1 Business School in Korea for 12 consecutive years (2008-2019, Hankyung Business Survey of HR managers from the Top 200 companies) 3️⃣ Ranked No.1 among Korean private universities in producing the largest number of CEOs in Top 500 companies (2018, CEO score) 4️⃣ No. 1 MBA in Korea for 7 consecutive years (2013-2019, Hankyung Business Assessment by HR Managers from the Top 200 Domestic Companies) |
just a note regarding covid-19
This truly is an unusual time to study abroad. Under the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, my decision to study abroad was a result of careful consideration of my academic plans, my health, and family contact. Knowing that this is an unprecedented exchange experience, I assure all that I’m doing my part in following South Korea’s COVID-19 preventive measures for the well-being of my own health, the well-being of South Korea’s citizens, and for the representation of Shidler in which I’m entrusted.
Though I know that my experience won’t reflect the pre-pandemic exchange journey, I hope to showcase what an exciting opportunity it still is to be in South Korea. These are definitely different times with different circumstances. What else can we do other than to be appreciative what we have and what we can do!
Though I know that my experience won’t reflect the pre-pandemic exchange journey, I hope to showcase what an exciting opportunity it still is to be in South Korea. These are definitely different times with different circumstances. What else can we do other than to be appreciative what we have and what we can do!