14 Sep His tech internship in Seoul changed his definition of good UX design
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Working in a human-centric industry such as User Experience Design or UX design requires a deep understanding of people and their needs. But what if the people you’re designing for are halfway across the world, speaking another language, and living in an entirely different culture?
Last summer, @University of Pittsburgh student @Tahj Cain-Jones traded the comfort of home forwith a dynamic tech internship in the capital of South Korea. He worked with @Crosshub, a Korean tech company that develops financial solutions and digital experiences for foreigners, and immersed himself in real-world applications of UX design.
Tahj had the opportunity to attend a major tech conference in Seoul
His internship was exceptionally hands-on. He attended a conference, networked with industry professionals, and made significant contributions in redesigning an app. But more unexpectedly, Tahj was able to transform casual conversations with both locals and foreigners into unique insights on creating intuitive designs.
How? Let’s find out!
Hands-on UX design experience from an internship
Tahj hit the ground running at his internship. Right off the bat, he was tasked with attendingto attend one of the country’s largest annual tech events, Smart Tech Korea (STK). He manned Crosshub’s booth, listened to talks about industry trends, and connected with experts and professionals from all over the world.
“The work culture here is unmatched. Efficiency is everything;, people lock in and get things done, and I’m already learning so much from the drive of everyone around me. It really forces you to elevate your own workflow and match that high-energy output,” he observed.
The fast-paced environment in South Korea surprised Tahj, but in the best way!
Attending STK proved to be the best way to launch Tahj’s 8-week internship. As part of his responsibilities behind Crosshub’s table, he pitched the company’s new app concept to event attendees and noted down feedback. Hearing the initial thoughts of potential users and seeing firsthand their challenges with your product? That’s where every good UX design begins.
For the rest of his internship, Tahj repeatedly referred to the things he learned from STK, transforming them into software design priorities that address actual market demands.
The unique contributions of international interns
One of Tahj’s biggest responsibilities at Crosshub was transforming the user experience design of KPOP PRO, an AI-powered singing app that lowers the language barrier for international K-pop fans.
The goal was to make the app more optimal, user-friendly, and engaging. To achieve that, he:
- Performed market research and analysis
- Mapped out how people use the app
- Identified necessary improvements
- Developed prototypes for both web and mobile
- Tested design adjustments
“Huge shoutout to Absolute Internship for the support as I sharpen my UX toolkit and dive into real-world product thinking this summer!”
As a foreigner himself, Tahj also brought a unique and valuable perspective on KPOP PRO’s design. After all, he understood the very specific challenge of overcoming the Korean language barrier as an English speaker. But he was only one person, and there was more to the K-pop fandom than words.
How cultural awareness impacts good UX design
In the world of UX, discerning people, learning their behavior, and catering to their specific needs are non-negotiable. As an intern designing a program that connects the rest of the world to Korean culture, Tahj took advantage of his time in Seoul to expand his cultural awareness,—then brought that wisdom back to his project.
He gathered cultural insight wherever he went and from everyone he met, including:
- His colleagues at Crosshub
- Industry professionals in STK
- Locals he chatted with
- Fellow international students
- Foreign professionals in Seoul
One of them is Zain, a Psychology and Economics graduate from Ohio who is currently working as Crosshub’s International Business Manager. As Americans in South Korea, Zain and Tahj share similar experiences like adjusting to the country’s tech ecosystem and overall culture, all of which they discussed over delicious Korean food.
Reflecting on this part of his internship abroad, he said: “Collaborating with a global team across different cultural dynamics is completely shifting how I look at user experience.”
Zain and Tahj connecting over lunch
“I’m learning that some of the best design alignment and cross-functional insights happen when you step away from the screen and listen to the people around you,” he added.
Outside the office, Tahj had plenty of opportunities to expand his knowledge of and familiarity with the local culture.
He visited some of the many gems South Korea has to offer, from the coastal city of Busan to the traditional houses in Jeonju. Together with the friends he made in his internship abroad program, he also enjoyed local experiences like wearing a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and dancing to Korean music.
“One of the most rewarding parts of interning abroad isn’t just the work inside the office… it’s the community you build outside of it.”
The way these experiences impacted his work at Crosshub may not have been as straightforward as researching K-pop trends or analyzing user data. But by immersing himself in Korean culture and listening to people from different backgrounds, Tahj gained a deeper understanding of the users he was designing for.
Not only did his contributions bring forth an app that’s easier to navigate, he also enabled KPOP PRO’s users to have more meaningful experiences. And that, ultimately, is great UX design.
“I enjoyed my program experience in its entirety. I did something that I never would have expected to do, and I will remember this experience forever.” Tahj wrote, wrapping up his life- and career-changing tech internship in Seoul.
It’s your turn to have a transformative internship abroad! Absolute Internship offers programs across Europe and Asia, covering a wide range of industries from Tech and Engineering to Marketing and Fashion.
Send us a message today and let’s get you started on your global career.
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