Nigerian Scholar Moves to Seoul on Fulbright to Study Prostate Cancer

Dr Adedipe, a Nigerian researcher based in the U.S., has relocated to Seoul after winning a Fulbright Scholarship. She moved in August with her two young daughters, her mother, and a plan to study prostate cancer survival rates in South Korea. The scholarship, awarded in April 2025, marks a major step in her academic career.

Adedipe first applied for the Fulbright programme in September 2024. Nine months later, she received confirmation of her acceptance. By August, she had left Oklahoma behind, trading it for Seoul’s bustling streets.

Finding a home in Mapo-gu was one of her first tasks. She secured a two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat for 1.39 million Korean won (around $940 or €880) per month. The scholarship’s housing allowance covers the rent, easing the financial burden. Life in Seoul has brought unexpected challenges. The city’s reliance on technology tied to a registered phone number took time to adjust to. Yet her eldest daughter, six years old, has adapted quickly. The child now attends piano lessons, inline skating sessions, and taekwondo classes. Balancing work has been demanding. Adedipe spends her days at Seoul National University Hospital. At night, she remotely manages her lab in Oklahoma, ensuring her research continues on both sides of the Pacific.

The move to South Korea has reshaped Adedipe’s professional and family life. Her research on prostate cancer now extends across continents, while her daughters settle into a new culture. The Fulbright Scholarship has opened doors—not just for her career, but for her family’s future in Seoul.