Cultural Exploration Meets Academic Rigor: Tiffany Rendall on Minerva's Graduate Immersion Week in Seoul

Tiffany Rendall, a Minerva MDA graduate from the Class of 2024, reflects on her transformative experience during Minerva’s first-ever Seoul graduate Immersion Week. As both an alumna and the Community Coordinator for Minerva’s graduate programs, Tiffany had a truly unique perspective of the program.

For Tiffany, the week in Seoul was nothing short of extraordinary.

"It was just so great on so many levels—Seoul itself was incredible. The culture, the food, the experiences we had together—everything felt so bonding and real. And, of course, meeting my classmates in person after seeing them through a screen for months was just incredible."

The week provided an authentic look at Korean culture, blending professional insights with deep personal connections. Tiffany highlighted the opportunity to visit the home of a classmate, explore lesser-known areas of Seoul, and engage in meaningful conversations that extended far beyond the classroom.

One of the most powerful aspects of the trip was the fusion of academic and experiential learning. Tiffany described three key layers of immersion that defined the experience: cultural immersion, community immersion, and Minerva’s educational approach.

The program's structure encouraged students to approach each experience with curiosity and a critical lens, applying their coursework in real-world contexts. Tiffany emphasized how these moments reinforced Minerva’s interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach.

When asked about her favorite academic moment from the week, Tiffany pointed to the HC-focused (Habits of Mind and Foundational Concepts) Problem-Solving Workshop, held at a startup hub in Seoul. Students had the opportunity to engage with real-world stakeholders, addressing a business challenge in a condensed time frame.

"We had maybe 30 minutes to hear a pitch, ask questions, and then develop solutions—it was rapid, intense, and honestly, so fun. It pushed us to apply what we had learned in class to a real-world setting. The collaboration and insights that emerged were incredibly rewarding."

This workshop showcased Minerva’s distinct approach to learning, proving that the application of concepts in real-world contexts is what makes the MDA experience unique.

Beyond the structured itinerary, it was the spontaneous moments of connection that made the trip unforgettable. One night, Tiffany and a group of classmates went to an escape room—a simple activity that turned into a two-hour analytical debrief on teamwork and decision-making.

"It was so classic Minerva. We spent one hour solving puzzles and then two hours breaking down our team dynamics through HCs frameworks. It was just one of those moments where you realize how much this program has shaped the way we think."

Another unexpected highlight came during a long bus ride, where Tiffany had a deep conversation with a classmate about relational logistic regression and its implications beyond data science.

"That discussion changed how I think about prediction versus causality in human interactions. It was a turning point where what I learned in the MDA program suddenly connected in a new way."

Reflecting on the week, Tiffany emphasized that the immersion program was an invaluable experience—one that strengthened her bond with classmates, deepened her understanding of Korean culture, and provided new academic insights.

"If I had to sum it up, I’d say this: it was a 10 out of 10 experience. The connections I made, the things I learned, the ways my perspective shifted—I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

As Minerva continues to offer its immersion programs for graduate students, Tiffany’s reflections highlight the profound impact of combining cultural engagement, academic rigor, and personal growth to create a truly unforgettable experience.