▲ Students in ELC taking a picture after the certification ceremony

A group of 30 university students from Gyeongsangnam- do recently completed a successful overseas study program at Towson University in Maryland, USA. The four- week program, which ran from July 15 to August 9, offered participants a diverse range of activities. Students not only had classes at Towson University’s English Learning Center (ELC), but they also had the opportunity to explore aerospace facilities and participate in field trips. A reporter from The Campus Journal also participated in the program and conducted interviews with the students, gathering vivid firsthand stories of their experiences.

This year, the Provincial Scholarship Foundation launched its first U.S. overseas study program, which took place at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Towson University, setting up a sisterhood relationship with Gyeongsangnam- do, operates the ELC to offer English learning programs for international students. The South Korean students took a placement test at the ELC and joined classes based on their English levels. Son Seung- a, a student at Gyeongsang National University, shared her thoughts on the program: “The most memorable part was the classes with Thom, our teacher. He always taught with an energetic voice and gave us a lot of philosophical advice. It was an honor to learn from him.”

The program also included various cultural activities that received enthusiastic responses. Students went on field trips to several cities in the Eastern U.S., including Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, as well as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. They also had the chance to explore American aerospace technology and history at places like Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Air and Space Museum. Seo Iman, a student majoring in Robotics Control and Instrumentation Engineering at CWNU, shared his experience: “The ELC organized various field trips to NYC, Philly, and D.C., which made the four weeks very fulfilling. I also enjoyed activities like visiting the campus Planetarium, watching a Baltimore Orioles baseball game, and going to Hershey Park.”

Many students agreed that the most meaningful part of the program was interacting with local college students and peers from various countries. Son Seung- a mentioned, “Participating in ELC classes greatly helped me in understanding different cultures. For example, I had a classmate from Afghanistan who taught me that ‘Halal’ means ‘permissible,’ which deepened my understanding of Islamic culture.” The students stayed in the campus dormitory, where they had the chance to interact directly, on a daily basis, with local students through various activities like water balloon fights, potlucks, and karaoke. Oh Sang- hwa, a student of the Department of English Language & Literature in CWNU, reflected, “What I remember most is meeting and communicating with different students while living in the dorm. It was a meaningful experience to exchange languages and cultures and build close connections through various activities.”

Through this program, the students not only had the chance to improve their English skills but also expanded their global perspectives by experiencing different cultures and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. It was a valuable opportunity for them to develop their global competencies and broaden their insights. Choi Man- rim, the Vice Governor of Gyeongsangnam- do and Chairman of the Provincial Scholarship Foundation, stated, “We are looking forward to the future of Gyeongsangnam- do, led by students with global skills. We’re planning to continue supporting overseas study programs to help our students gain more experience and grow.”

Although there were some challenges since this was the first time the program was conducted, its successful and safe completion made it even more significant. For students considering overseas study, this program exemplifies the importance of embracing new learning opportunities and challenges as a university student. Therefore, it is certainly expected to encourage them not to hesitate in seizing chances to define themselves.

By Kim Han-seul, reporter  hozejunior@naver.com

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