UC Santa Cruz’s “Printmaking in Korea” Faculty-led Global Seminar, led by Art Professor Jimin Lee, is emerging as the university’s longest-standing and most successful program of its kind.
As part of a portfolio of Faculty-Led Global Seminars, which offer small-group, immersive learning opportunities abroad, this program attracts students eager for both artistic discipline and cultural immersion.
“Faculty-led Global Seminars offer students more than just a study abroad experience — they create an in-depth learning environment where faculty expertise, local culture, and academic inquiry intersect. Because the courses are designed and taught by our own professors, students benefit from both a global perspective and the continuity of mentorship that extends far beyond the seminar itself,” said Sarah Woodside Bury, Director of Global Learning.
What sets this seminar apart is the opportunity to learn from Professor Lee, who brings her extensive experience as a faculty member in UCSC’s Print Media Program and the director of the Contemporary Print Media Research Center (CPMRC).
Students spend time in Korea (and in some recent iterations, Japan), learning relief woodblock and mixed media printmaking directly from master artists and participating in cultural excursions to UNESCO World Heritage sites. The seminar empowers students with confidence and clarity.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this program is the personal connection it fosters,” said Lee. “Traveling and working alongside my students provides opportunities for in-depth conversations and shared experiences beyond the classroom. This process also helps me better identify each student’s artistic strengths and discover new ways to support their creativity.
Lee’s repeated leadership has allowed her to refine the learning experience and deepen connections with artists and institutions abroad, earning the program a reputation for excellence and meaningful impact. Through small-scale instruction, global exposure, and artistic innovation, Printmaking in Korea exemplifies the benefits of faculty-led global learning and why it continues to resonate with students years after their return.broad or away programs offered at UC Santa Cruz by visiting the Program Dashboard or by selecting programs on the Global Learning website.
Providing Global Learning Opportunities for All is key to the UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan for Internationalization.