A group of undergraduate students from South Korea visited Rice University and the Texas Medical Center from Sept. 28-30 as part of a new collaboration between the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and the Institute of International Education (IIE). The visit, hosted by Rice’s Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, highlighted opportunities in neuroscience, bioengineering and other STEM fields.
The students, juniors and seniors from more than 30 South Korean universities, study abroad in the United States during the 2025-26 academic year. Each student participates in an enrichment trip to deepen their educational and professional experiences while encouraging international collaboration, and these students chose to visit Rice.
“This program is such a perfect way for the graduate office to showcase the wonderful academics, the research, the top faculty and students here,” said Adria Baker, international special projects envoy for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. “We believe that when they set foot on campus, they’re not only going to be wowed by the beauty of the campus, but they’re also going to meet wonderful students, faculty and staff. South Korea is very special to me, and it’s an honor to welcome these students to Rice.”
Students toured Rice’s BioScience Research Collaborative during their visit, met faculty researchers, and engaged with graduate student ambassadors. They also explored the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world and attended networking dinners with Rice graduate students.
For Seungho Yeom, a mechanical engineering student currently studying at UC San Diego, the trip offered valuable insights into his plans.
“I’m planning to pursue a Ph.D. in the U.S., especially in robotics engineering,” Yeom said. “I’m researching robotics algorithms leveraging how human brains work, so learning about neuroscience at Rice was awesome. I think I can use some of that knowledge in my own research. The atmosphere here has been so welcoming, and the sunny weather in Texas is perfect.”
Jiwon Bae, a biotechnology major originally from Daegu, South Korea, said the experience broadened her perspective on graduate school options.
“Rice University feels very big and very professional,” Bae said. “I’m planning to go to graduate school, so this visit was beneficial for my future. I enjoyed seeing the labs and meeting people here. Houston is a big city compared to where I’ve been, and I’ve really liked it.”
Baker said the goal of the visit, and the KIAT-IIE program overall, is to strengthen ties between the United States and South Korea in STEM fields while providing students with firsthand exposure to U.S. graduate education and industry connections.
“They’re coming from top universities in South Korea and bringing the best of their country to us,” Baker said. “Hopefully, they are getting the best from us to take back home, and maybe even choosing Rice as the place to continue their academic journey.”