Joined by international students of the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul
Speech on the theme of ‘Experience on Korean Culture and Life from the Perspective of Foreigners’
Offer opportunity for international students to understand Korean culture and language
[October 13, 2017]
<The Korean Speech Contest was held on the 13th by international students at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul.>
YU (President Sur Gil-soo) held a Korean speech contest for international students.
This contest began at 2 p.m. on the 13th at the YU Cheonma Art Center Sapphire Hall and was joined by 12 international students enrolled at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul. The 12 students from six countries including Malaysia, Zambia and Indonesia made 10 minute speeches on the theme of ‘Experience on Korean Culture and Life from the Perspective of Foreigners’.
First place went to Widyatama Bastian, 24 (Major for Public Policy and Leadership, 4th term in master’s degree program, bottom-right). Second place went to Pham Thi Nhung (22, Saemaul and International Development, 3rd term in master’s degree program, Vietnam) and third place went to Kusmiarti Endah (32, Public Policy and Leadership, 4th term in master’s degree program, Indonesia).
Mr. Widyatama who won first place stated, “Even though I have a very busy scheduled studying for my major, I have been attending all Korean language classes offered by the school. I hang out with my Korean friends and also make time to study Korean, which is what I think made it possible for me to receive this award.” He added, “I met with other YU international students and Korean students on the Korean holidays of Chuseok and Hangeul Day in October and it helped me to understand Korean culture a little more. I would like to have more various experiences of Korean culture during my time studying here.”
Most of the international students at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul are, unlike other undergraduate international students, public officials who plan and implement policies at their home countries, employees of public institutes, social activists or other professionals. In a relatively short period of less than two years, they study to earn their master’s degree and the Korean language. In order to offer a wide range of experiences on Korean culture, YU has been hoolding the Korean Speech Contest for the second year this year.
<International students speaking at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul’s Korean Speech Contest>
Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul Dean Kim Gi-soo who planned this contest said, “Though their Korean may not be very good, they can have the opportunity to get a closer feel for Korean culture by writing in Hangeul and speaking in Korea based on what they studied and their experiences.” He added, “I hope that their knowledge in their major and Korean language skills learned at YU will help them when they return to their home countries.”
