YU increases students selected for overseas dispatch programs supported by the EU, Ministry of Education and companies
Students sent for internships and exchange student programs with financial aid in tuition, airfare, and living expenses to lower financial burdens
“Diverse external institute and educational expense support programs will provide more opportunities to improve global capacities”
[July 23, 2018]
<YU students participating in overseas dispatch programs such as internships and exchange student programs with government and corporate support>
(Left to right: Lee Ho-ryun (Participated in the National Institute for International Education WEST program), Choi Yoon-ji (Selected as overseas exchange student for Mirae Asset)>
There is a growing number of YU students participating in overseas exchange student programs and internships receiving support such as scholarships from the EU, central government, local government, and private companies. Just in the second half of this year, 23 YU students will be dispatched with external support such as from the National Institute for International Education (WEST program), Mirae Asset overseas exchange student scholarship program, and the Gyeongsangbuk-do collegiate overseas internship program.
The National Institute for International Education’s ‘WEST (Work, English, Study, Travel)’ program is a long-term (12-18 months) overseas dispatch program combining language studies and corporate (institutional) internships. Participating students complete a language program to adapt to the local environment and gain practical English skills. Afterwards, they work as interns at local companies, giving them the opportunity to gain language skills and practical work experience. In particular, this is an inter-government project in which a sponsor institute recommended by the US State Department is responsible for the participant’s language training and finding institutes for internships, and is therefore receiving huge interest from students as it is possible to participate in stable programs. Participants receive financial aid from the government for their airfare and parts of living expenses during their language course and internship. In the first half of this year, four YU students were selected for this program.
Lee Ho-ryun (23), a senior in the YU Department of Physics who departed for Seattle on July 17 after being selected as a participant in the WEST program, said, “After graduating, I plan to go on to graduate school. In the case of the WEST program, I can work as an intern for not only regular companies, but also in university labs in the US, and that is why I applied. I received a lot of assistance while drafting my cover letter and preparing for the interview, and I think this helped me pass.” He added, “I have high expectations for the language program that I will take part in prior to the internship as it is made up of a colorful curriculum. If I have the opportunity, I want to go on a road trip in the western part of the US after completing my internship.”
There were a number of YU students who were selected for overseas dispatch programs sponsored by companies. Five YU students were selected for the 22nd Mirae Asset Overseas Exchange Student Scholarship Program who will be dispatched in the second semester of this year. This program, which is sponsored by the Mirae Asset Park Hyun-joo Foundation, selected students to be dispatched as exchange students and will provide 7 million won as scholarships for one semester.
Choi Yoon-ji (21), a junior at the YU School of International Economics and Business who was selected in the 22nd Mirae Asset Overseas Exchange Student Scholarship Program and will go to the University of Warsaw in September, said, “My goal is to take advantage of my major and become a commerce expert. As an exchange student, I hope to share opinions with foreign students who are in the same major as I am, and see for myself the geographical conditions of Europe, the ports of each country, convention facilities, etc. I think this will move me a step closer to realizing my dream.”
YU will also send students to Europe through the EU’s [ERASMUS (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) Plus Program]. Students selected for this program will receive financial aid of 4,000 euros by the EU.
The first exchange student in the first semester of this year for the ERASMUS Plus Program was Jang Sang-yoon (23), a senior in the YU School of International Economics and Business who studied at the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Bulgaria. He said, “Thanks to the financial aid of about 5.5 million Korean won provided by the EU, I was able to spend my time as an exchange student without much financial difficulty.” He added, “In particular, students from different parts of Europe participating in the ERASMUS program lived together as exchange students, which helped me to adapt easily to life in an unfamiliar foreign country. Studying with students from countries such as Albania, Macedonia, etc. that are not easy to come by and experiencing various countries will be an unforgettable memory.”
In addition, 14 other students were selected in the Gyeongsangbuk-do college student overseas internship project to work in local US companies in the second half of this year, and thus, there is a growing number of YU students being dispatched overseas with support from external institutes. This is thanks to YU’s efforts to work with other institutes so that participants can participate in various international programs.
YU External Cooperation Office Director Heo Chang-deok said, “There are various international programs such as long-term overseas dispatch programs such as exchange student and foreign internship programs, as well as short-term dispatch programs that offer financial aid. I hope that students will participate in programs fitting to them to enhance their global competitiveness.” He added, “Especially in the case of long-term dispatch programs, by making plans early on their college career and making careful preparations, there will be more opportunities available.”
