On May 24, the University of Utah Asia Campus welcomed more than 400 middle and high school students and their families to Discover the U Day—an immersive, student-centered event designed to bring the U experience to life on its global campus in Songdo, Incheon.
Held on the Utah Asia Campus’ vibrant international campus, the event featured hands-on academic workshops, major exploration booths, personalized advising and a behind-the-scenes look into college life—all delivered in English by University of Utah Asia Campus faculty, staff and students.
Unlike traditional college fairs or open houses, Discover the U gave students a chance to step into real university classrooms, attend sample lectures, and engage directly with faculty across a wide range of disciplines: accounting, communication, computer engineering, electrical engineering, film and media arts, games, information systems, psychology and urban ecology.
“I was interested in both psychology and business, and this event helped me clarify which path I want to pursue. It felt like a real college experience and gave me confidence in my dreams,” said Eun Chae, a first-year high school student from Hongcheon High School in Yongin.
Her mother, Hee Jung Song, added, “Watching my daughter explore different majors and ask questions on her own was truly inspiring. The environment was very close to what an actual university classroom feels like.”
At the popular department booths, students experimented with everything from motion-capture cameras and broadcast simulations to psychology tests and city-planning games—all led by the Utah Asia Campus undergraduates, student club members, staff and faculty.
“I flew in from Bangkok with my parents to attend this event, and I’m so glad I got to see the Utah Asia Campus in person,” said Watcharich Chanranitchayachai, a senior at Singapore International School of Bangkok. “I’ve already applied for the games program for fall 2025 and truly hope I can join this campus.”
His father, Alex Chanranitchayachai, shared, “We’ve been exploring international options because there’s no comparable game design program in Thailand. After learning about the University of Utah’s top-ranked Games program, we saw this as a great opportunity. Discover the U gave us real answers about academics, admissions and student support.”
Highlights included:
- Film & Media Arts: Film equipment demos, green screen studio tour, student film showcases
- Psychology: False memory tests, personality quizzes
- Urban Ecology: “Build Your Future City” challenge, urban landmark speed quiz
- Communication: Teleprompter-based broadcast anchoring, live quiz
- Games: Dexterity game and dynamic difficulty adjustment activity
- Student Clubs: BusyBee (Business), Borderland (board games), Analog Photography Club, Utah Devils (baseball)
- International Student Diplomat Booth
- Academic Advising Center Booth
- Career and Internship Development Center Booth
- Mental Health Resource Booth
Located within the Incheon Global Campus, the Utah Asia Campus is the University of Utah’s official global branch, offering the same curriculum, degrees and faculty standards as the Salt Lake City campus. Students can begin their studies in Korea and complete them in the U.S. through flexible 2+2 or 3+1 academic tracks.
“Discover the U Day is more than an event—it’s a glimpse into a global future,” said Gregory Hill, chief administrative officer of the Utah Asia Campus. “We’re proud to create a space where students in Korea and beyond can envision themselves thriving in a world-class university system.”
“This year’s program was bigger, deeper, and more student-led than ever before,” said Brian Byun, assistant dean of admissions and marketing. “We’re committed to helping students and their families discover that world-class education is available right here in Korea—no passport required.”