--- title: "Inside Korea’s Business World: What Future Leaders Learned from Pearson & Partners" description: Carlson School students visit Pearson & Partners Korea to explore global business, cross-border consulting, and how culture and language shape success. image: https://blog.pearsonp.com/hubfs/IMG_8364.jpg --- [![Pearson & Partners Logo](https://blog.pearsonp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rsz_%EB%A1%9C%EA%B3%A0%ED%88%AC%EB%AA%85%20(8).png?width=1656&height=121&name=rsz_%EB%A1%9C%EA%B3%A0%ED%88%AC%EB%AA%85%20(8).png "Pearson & Partners Logo")](https://pearsonkorea.com/) Open main menu Close main menu [Back to Blog](https://blog.pearsonp.com) [Global Business](https://blog.pearsonp.com/tag/global-business) # Inside Korea’s Business World: What Future Leaders Learned from Pearson & Partners ![Judnika Metayer](https://blog.pearsonp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/%ED%94%BC%EC%96%B4%EC%8A%A8%20%EB%A1%9C%EA%B3%A0%20(1)-3.jpg?width=45&name=%ED%94%BC%EC%96%B4%EC%8A%A8%20%EB%A1%9C%EA%B3%A0%20(1)-3.jpg) [Judnika Metayer](https://blog.pearsonp.com/author/judnika-metayer) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.pearsonp.com/inside-koreas-business-world-what-future-leaders-learned-from-pearson-partners) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.pearsonp.com/inside-koreas-business-world-what-future-leaders-learned-from-pearson-partners) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.pearsonp.com/inside-koreas-business-world-what-future-leaders-learned-from-pearson-partners) ![Pearson & Partners Korea CEO presenting to Carlson School of Management students](https://blog.pearsonp.com/hubfs/IMG_8364.jpg) Think business is just numbers? Think again. As part of the Korea–Japan study abroad program, students from the Carlson School of Management—majoring in accounting, marketing, and human resources—joined us at **Pearson & Partners Korea** for a candid, behind-the-scenes look into what cross-border business truly demands. During their visit, our CEO and Founder, **Justin Dohyung Kim**, didn’t just share a highlight reel. Instead, he pulled back the curtain on what it takes to launch and grow a consulting firm in Korea—starting from a defining moment with just “$2 left in his pocket,” to now guiding global companies through one of Asia’s most complex and fast-moving markets. But the real takeaway? This wasn’t just about numbers or expansion strategies. It was about how business gets done when language isn’t shared, culture isn’t familiar, and trust must be earned from the ground up. From navigating unspoken social rules to translating nuance for foreign clients, Students got an honest view of the work that happens in the subtle details; the part that rarely makes it into case studies or textbooks. More than a routine company visit, this session provided an immersive introduction to global business practices through a distinctly local perspective. Here is what some of the students shared following the experience: Student Q&A **Interview #1 William Nielsen** **Affiliation:** Undergraduate Student at Carlson School of Management **Major: **Accounting   **Q1: What surprised you most during the seminar?** “Honestly, I initially thought Pearson & Partners Korea focused primarily on English consulting. But what really struck me is that the technical work is outsourced—and the real asset lies in the ability to connect with non-English-speaking networks in Korea and distill that information for clients in English. English has always felt natural to me, but I realized here, it’s actually a competitive advantage.” Professional Lens: The true value extends beyond language. It involves understanding local networks where English isn’t spoken and presenting that insight clearly to clients. What feels normal in one place can be a major advantage in another. **Q2: Do you see yourself working internationally in the future?** “Definitely. I’m super adventurous, and I’m open to any opportunity. I’ve looked at New York, but also abroad. I’d love to work internationally and I’m planning to apply for a scholarship to study Korean. Getting my CPA is a key step—it’s transferable across countries, and it could help me grow into a big firm or launch something of my own." Professional Lens: This mindset shows a readiness to embrace global challenges. The world’s business landscape is more connected than ever, and skills like language proficiency and professional certification open doors across borders. Pursuing the CPA while learning Korean shows a strategic approach, combining technical expertise with cultural fluency to stand out in competitive markets. **Interview #2  Emillie Castillo** **Affiliation:** Undergraduate Student at Carlson School of Management **Major:** Human Resources    **Q1: What seemed most complex about starting a business in Korea?** “The language barrier, for sure. Even though there’s more English here now, being here just a few days showed me how essential Korean would be for living and doing business. Also, the cultural norms are very different. It seems very hierarchical and structured—there are a lot of unspoken rules to learn.” Professional Lens: Language is just one piece of the puzzle. In Korea, business culture is layered with traditions, respect for hierarchy, and subtle social cues that don’t always translate. Success means more than just speaking the language; it means understanding when to speak up, when to wait, and how relationships build over time. That complexity challenges newcomers but also creates opportunities for those willing to learn and adapt. Beyond the Basics At Pearson & Partners Korea, we take pride in equipping future leaders with real-world perspectives and practical skills essential for success in global markets. It is in the intersection of culture and strategy—often found in the finer details—where these students discovered both the greatest challenges and the most promising opportunities. [👉 Follow us](http://pearsonkorea.com) for more insights, events, and opportunities! #PearsonAndPartnersKorea #StudentVoices #InternationalBusiness #StudyAbroad #KoreaBusinessExpansion #ConsultingCareers #CrossBorderGrowth #FutureLeaders ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![Two people reaching an agreement and shaking hands](https://blog.pearsonp.com/hubfs/mina-rad-qFSQFSmfZkA-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.pearsonp.com/worried-about-labor-laws-in-korea-let-an-eor-handle-it?hsLang=en) [Employer of Record](https://blog.pearsonp.com/tag/employer-of-record) ### [Worried About Labor Laws in Korea? 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