New Colombo Plan Korea Tours

Cross-Faculty Collaboration

The 2026 program marked the second iteration of a cross-Faculty collaboration between Curtin’s Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Business and Law. Developed and delivered by Joanna Elfving-Hwang, Yen Hieu, Cherry Chen and Bec Stafford, the program brought students from both faculties together for academic activities and industry internships in Seoul, with support from Curtin’s international engagement team and funding from the New Colombo Plan.

Award-Winning New Colombo Plan Korea Internship Program

The 2025 and 2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Internship Programs received the 2026 Curtin University Faculty of Humanities Programs that Enhance Learning Award in the category of WIL Programs that Value and Enhance Student Employability.

The award recognised the programs’ cross-faculty and cross-campus design, bringing together Humanities, the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, the Faculty of Business and Law, and Global Curtin with university, industry, government and community partners in Korea.

By combining academic learning, cultural immersion and independent professional internships, the programs helped students develop intercultural capability, confidence, resilience, employability and global citizenship. The recognition reflects the collective contribution of the program team, participating students, Konkuk University, Sejong University, industry hosts, Korean university and policy partners, AustCham Korea and the Australian Embassy in Seoul.

2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Study Tour and Internship

The 2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Study Tour and Internship took place in South Korea from January to February 2026 as part of Curtin’s WORK3006 Go Global program. Twenty students from the Faculties of Humanities and Business and Law joined the four-week program. It combined briefings on Australia-Korea relations, visits to cultural sites and partner universities, and workplace internship placements.

At Konkuk University, Professor Jae Ung Yeom, Vice President for International Affairs, welcomed the group, and student peers led a campus tour. The cohort also visited Yonsei University GSIS, where Professor Wondeuk Cho of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and Professor Seo Jung Soo of Keimyung University spoke about Australia-Korea security and economic relations.

The program gave students practical, academic and intercultural experience in Korea and strengthened their understanding of Australia-Korea relations.

As part of the 2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Study Tour and Internship, three Curtin students completed a three-week placement with Seoul-based K-beauty company AGASKIN.

Arabella Hancock, Chido Mukusha and Summer Ash worked under the supervision of AGASKIN CEO Fama Ndiaye. Through a marketing project, they gained insight into the global K-beauty industry, explored AI-generated concept marketing and considered how beauty rituals can function as positive social practices.

This marked the second year of Curtin’s partnership with AGASKIN, following placements completed by Bianca Gimeno, Imogen Bell and Sapphire Stanic in 2025. The continuing partnership gives students valuable professional experience while strengthening links between Curtin University and industry partners in South Korea.

Industry and Regional Engagement in Busan and Gyeongnam

As part of the 2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Study Tour and Internship, Curtin students travelled to Busan and Gyeongnam to explore the region’s industrial, economic and educational connections.

The program included a tour of Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje Shipyard, a briefing at the Busan–Jinhae Free Economic Zone on regional investment and international business, and a visit to Changwon National University to discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

These visits gave students first-hand insight into how major Korean industries operate and strengthened links between Curtin University and partners in southern Korea.

Visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea

During the 2026 New Colombo Plan Korea Study Tour and Internship, 20 Curtin students visited the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Dr John Bocskay, Director of the cemetery, guided the group through the grounds. Following the flag-raising ceremony, students laid a wreath at the Australian monument and visited the Australian graves, the Wall of Remembrance and the Australian Honour Roll Quilt.

Together with an earlier visit to the Demilitarised Zone, this experience helped students understand Australia–Korea relations beyond trade and diplomacy. It offered time to reflect on the people commemorated at the cemetery, the continuing legacy of the Korean War and the shared hope for peace.