Insang Yoo, MSc Equine Science

Manager and Inspector for the Korean Racing Authority

My home is Korea and so it was hard for me to find information on Equine courses, I compared courses in Britain with those in the US. I found the information about British courses through the web page of British Council in Korea. After I found that there were a few universities specialising in Equine across the UK, I started investigating which institute is best for me. I looked at things such as modules, location, tuition fee, accommodation properties etc. I concluded that Aberystwyth is the best place to study Equine Science, Aberystwyth town has a high percentage of students so I thought the town would be quite suitable for students, also the modules on the course were quite tempting especially equine behaviour and reproduction.

 

I really enjoyed being in Aberystwyth, I loved the fact that I could go to the beach whenever I felt stuck during study, and even walk up Constitution hill, which was really refreshing and gave me strength to start my work again. I found the people in Aberystwyth to be very kind to foreigners and having Chinese/Japanese restaurants helped me, though there was no Korean restaurant yet.

 

I am now back in Korea working for the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) where I approve farmers to enter KRA training centre at Jangsoo to cover their mares by KRA stallions. I inspect the stud farms which have the broodmares covered by KRA stallions during breeding season. I translate the latest news, magazines, books from abroad to let the trainers know how to break the horses with the up-to-date methods. I introduce institutes related to equine science and also horse industry in UK to KRA and also to other trainers and horsemen. I support the yearling sales in the KRA training centre at Jangsu.

 

If I have any chance to get back to study in foreign country, I definitely would go back to UK, especially Aberystwyth University as it's just perfect place to be a student!