Koreatimes iconKoreatimesSep 26, 2026 ~1 min source read

UpperClass bets on peer trust to reshape international student recruitment

Ana, an entrepreneur who previously held an early leadership role at ApplyBoard, one of the world's leading international student recruitment platforms. Korea as an exchange student in 2011, he didn't plan on building a career here — much less raising a family.

UpperClass bets on peer trust to reshape international student recruitment

Share this story

Send the public story page.

Useful takeaways from this story.

Korea as an exchange student in 2011, he didn't plan on building a career here — much less raising a family.

After returning for summer school in 2013 and a working holiday in 2015, Balneger launched his own business in Seoul in 2016 through the Seoul Global Startup Center.

He later worked in the Korean entertainment industry before leaving the country to complete his degree and care for his father, who had cancer.

Building the complete brief

The page is ready to read now. The fuller skim-friendly version will appear here automatically.

The useful part

Korea as an exchange student in 2011, he didn't plan on building a career here — much less raising a family. After returning for summer school in 2013 and a working holiday in 2015, Balneger launched his own business in Seoul in 2016 through the Seoul Global Startup Center. He later worked in the Korean entertainment industry before leaving the country to complete his degree and care for his father, who had cancer.

How it works

  • Now, his latest venture is bringing together two parts of his experience: his life as a foreign national in Korea and his work in technology and digital marketing.
  • Ana, an entrepreneur who previously held an early leadership role at ApplyBoard, one of the world's leading international student recruitment platforms.

Details worth keeping

Today, he lives in Busan with his Korean wife and their two children. Balneger co-founded UpperClass with Rodel Sta.

Keep reading in the app

Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.

Open in app