Cross-cultural Exchange Experience at Incheon National University of South Korea
14 Jul 2015
Three third year Diploma in Perfumery & Cosmetic Science (DPCS) students, Vanessa Lee Hui Yi, Leong Hei Mern and Annabelle Choong Shing Yi interned at Incheon National University (INU) from March to June 2015 as part of the diploma’s FEEL programme. In South Korea, the beauty industry is advanced and lucrative. This research opportunity exposed the students to the latest technology and trends in the field of cosmetic science.
The students also had to learnt to adapt well in an environment that is culturally different. They eventually spoke the native language well enough to communicate comfortably with researchers and students. Hear what our DPCS students have to say about their Korean experience:
Vanessa Lee Hui Yi at INU campus
“Attached to the Fashion Department under Professor Ahn Cheun Soon, an enjoyable part of my internship was to investigate the effect of commercial hair blockers on the UV protection of hair fibers. I got much better insights on the different tests to measure the extent of hair damage. I also found that UV properties in hair products were not popular in Korea.”
Vanessa Lee Hui Yi
|
“I was attached to the Marine Department under Professor Han Tae Jun, and conducted assays and antioxidant experiments on different marine extracts. I also worked with a master formulator to successfully formulate the base of the facial cleanser. I found out that Koreans generally like products that contained amino acids and, not surprisingly, anti-aging products are in trend since appearance matters a lot to most Koreans.”
Leong Hei Mern
“At the Chemistry Department under Professor Choi Eun Mi in the Biochemistry Lab, I learnt extraction methods, how to perform cell culturing and conducting different types of assays. The R&D team discovered that certain plants possess excellent antioxidant properties and the ability to inhibit melanin production which would serve as good skin whitening agents in cosmetics care.”
Annabelle Choong Shing Yi
|
(From left) Leong Hei Mern, Choong Shing Yi and Vanessa Lee Hui Yi enjoying the beautiful Korean spring |