Internaional Education Week Alumni Spotlight: Breauna Oldham

Breauna was initially interested in Japanese as a high school student, but felt her interest blossom once she learned about Korean language and culture. She went from listening to Korean music and watching Korean dramas to self-studying Korean in the library after class. Her NSLI-Y experience confirmed her interest in Korean, and she entered college at the University of Kentucky with an itch to return to the country. Breauna studied International Studies and returned to Korea to spend her sophomore year at Chung-Ang University, increasing her proficiency in Korean language and culture. She returned to Korea as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant after graduation, and spent three years teaching English to students of all ages, from elementary school to university! Breauna continued to teach after finishing her Fulbright, spending another five years working as an English teacher in universities in South Korea. Breauna has recently returned to the United States to work in higher education. She has found that in her new role, she is still able to travel extensively, including returning to Korea to speak with prospective students and families.

Breauna notes that the skills that she gained through NSLI-Y have helped her out in various professional settings, as she feels comfortable interacting in a variety of different environments. She has also appreciated being able to use her Korean skills when working with Korean international students and is better able to create a personal connection with these students and assist them in their transition to the US. She also is a better advocate for international students based on her experiences living abroad and the knowledge of the struggles that come with it.

Breauna didn’t know much about the field of international education when she was younger and was initially considering a career in diplomacy. After learning more about international education and how well a career in international education fit with her desire to work with people interested in cultures and languages, Breauna switched her path. She appreciates the ability to directly impact students’ lives, without serving in a traditional classroom role. For others interested in the field, she encourages them to expand their knowledge and interests outside of one country. Breauna has found it important to be broadly knowledgeable about the world, beyond knowledge of just one country or region. She also encourages others to travel widely, and for those interested in living or studying abroad, she says that it’s important to explore to develop their own opinions and gain new experiences.

Breauna is a staunch believer in the importance of international education and cultural exchange as a way for opening hearts and minds. Whether participating in a study abroad program or speaking with others from different cultures, Breauna believes that cross-cultural exchange is needed in order to promote inclusive and knowledgeable citizenry.