Adrienne Seo, center, teaching in Uzbekistan as an English Language Fellow.
When Adrienne Seo earned her Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) from Eastern Michigan University, she knew she wanted a career beyond the classroom. She just didn’t know how far that path would lead.
After teaching and working in Asia for much of her career, Seo found herself working alongside U.S. diplomats in Uzbekistan as an English Language Fellow. The experience planted an unexpected idea: Perhaps her future lay not only in education, but in diplomacy.
Now, that idea is becoming reality. Seo is set to begin her career as a diplomat in Nassau, Bahamas, where she will serve as a Foreign Service Officer.
Seo credits the MATESOL program with giving her not only the academic foundation for an international career, but also the confidence to pursue opportunities she never imagined after graduation.
“I remember the professors in the MATESOL program encouraging us to participate in conferences and build our skills as presenters,” said Seo. “With their encouragement, I participated in the EMU Graduate Research Conference in 2018, where I gave one of my first professional presentations. Since then, I have presented at TESOL conferences in eight countries.”
Those opportunities helped Seo build a career that would take her far beyond Michigan. After earning her degree, she worked in South Korea, Uzbekistan, Austria and China, building a life and career in Asia while developing a deep understanding of language, education and cross-cultural communication.
However, her time in Uzbekistan gave Seo a glimpse of another professional world.
As an English Language Fellow, Seo worked with the U.S. Embassy on English-language education and teacher-training programs. The experience gave her an up-close look at the U.S. role abroad and left her wondering whether diplomacy might eventually become part of her own career.
“That experience stayed with me long after I finished my time as a Fellow,” said Seo. “I kept coming back to the idea of a career in diplomacy. Eventually, I decided to take the Foreign Service Officer Test, which is the first step toward becoming a diplomat.”
Seo’s TESOL career had already prepared her for the transition, developing skills in cross-cultural communication, relationship-building, adapting to unfamiliar environments and approaching new situations with curiosity.
After building a fulfilling life in Asia, Seo looks forward to experiencing the food and culture of the Bahamas, meeting new people and working in a new professional environment. She is also excited about a more personal change: finally being in the same time zone as her family.
As she prepares for the move, Seo has reflected on the role EMU played in helping her reach this unexpected destination.
“I’m grateful that my experience at EMU gave me the academic foundation and confidence to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom,” said Seo. “When I graduated, I never imagined that my career in TESOL would take me to South Korea, Uzbekistan, Austria, and China, or that I would eventually become a diplomat. It’s exciting to look back at where I started at EMU and see how those experiences have shaped the person and professional I am today.”
Her advice to students reflects the mindset that has guided her own journey.
“I think it’s important to stay curious, take advantage of opportunities, and be open to new possibilities.”
About Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is becoming Michigan’s first choice for high-quality, applied learning. Located in the heart of Southeast Michigan, one of the nation’s leading regions for innovation, automotive and advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship, EMU connects more than 12,000 students to experiences that can’t be replicated in the classroom alone. Research, internships, clinical experiences, student teaching, and community-engaged learning are woven into an education designed to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Learn more at emich.edu.
