Seoul

Find out more about the Kiwi Alumni Korea who host a variety of events throughout the year connecting alumni from all NZ universities.

https://www.kiwialumni.com/

“Being connected to the place where I lived and spent my teenage
years is very important for me” says CJ Ha.

She has fond memories of her university days with road trips,
beach days and baking – all things she enjoyed with friends. “New Zealand is a
very diverse. I was able to meet a lot of good people from different
countries.” Having returned to Seoul after University, to re-connect with her
Korean culture, CJ is pleased to say she is still in touch with her university
friends across the globe.

After leaving University CJ says she wanted to start her own
business. “I launched my own cosmetics brand and ran it for 3 years.” While the
company is no longer in operation, she says she learnt a valuable lesson –
finding a good business partner is essential to running a business
successfully. Perhaps she will start something else in the future but for now
she is enjoying being Vice Chair of Kiwi Alumni Korea and a University Volunteer
Alumni Coordinator (VAC) because she gets to provide other alumni with an
opportunity to share memories and connect.

With a strong interest in philosophy CJ would love to meet German
philosopher Richard David Precht who she credits with helping her answer
frustrating questions or explore areas of curiosity. “I watched one of his
videos on Youtube and learned that happiness is actually achieved when we stop
being attached to it” she says. “Philosophy allows us to discover the meaning
and richness of life.”

CJ notes how Covid also forced us to do things differently and
discover new things. “I used to travel outside of Korea a lot, but when Covid
started, I got out into the Korean countryside more.” Exploring areas outside
of Seoul with family and friends has remained a favourite weekend activity –
when she isn’t busy helping Kiwis and Koreans connect.

Contact CJ

Email: CJ Ha
LinkedIn: Connect with CJ