Two students from Cuba, which has no diplomatic relations with Korea, joined the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul
Decided to quit work and study at YU to learn about ‘Saemaul’ and Korea’s development experience
Goal of studying at YU to find plans to apply Saemaul international development that fits Cuba
[April 5, 2018]
“We came to learn ‘Saemaul science’. We are confident that the Saemaul Undong and Saemaul spirit will be a great contribution to the development of our homeland, Cuba.”
The international demand for Korea’s ‘Saemaul’ has begun in Cuba, a country that has no diplomatic relations with Korea. Two international students from Cuba enrolled at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul. Over 600 international students from more than 60 studies have enrolled at the YU School of Policy and Saemaul so far, but these are the first students from Cuba.
They are Paneque Silva Pedro Valentin (30) and Leyva Leal Lisandra (29), who worked at public corporations in Cuba in computer applications. What made the computer engineers from Cuba decide to quit their job and study in the completely new field of ‘Saemaul science’? The reason for coming to Korea to study is clear. They wanted to learn Korea’s ‘Saemaul’ and development experience.
They explained, “We are well aware of Korea’s rapid growth, unprecedented anywhere else around the world, since the 1970s. We also learned that the Saemaul Undong was the driving force behind Korea’s development at the time. Cuba, which is a socialist country, has had relatively little economic growth.” They added, “Our goal of studying here is to learn about the systematic theories of Saemaul and gain expertise in intranational development to find ways to apply it in the circumstances of Cuba.”
It has only been about a month since studying at YU, but they are confident that they made the right choice. Pedro said, “The YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul has a global network that is very rare to be seen anywhere in the world. Students from many countries around the world are studying here. I already have high expectations just by the fact that I will be able to exchange various opinions with them and gain academic growth.”
Lisandra said, “Most of the international students here have working experience in various fields such as public employees, employees in public corporations, social activists, etc. from around the world. Being able to study together with people having diverse academic and social backgrounds and sharing knowledge and experience with each other is a great learning environment for students majoring in international development.”
Though they are just beginning their studies in a new academic field in an unfamiliar environment, they have a great interest in Korean culture as well. Pedro said, “I would also like to be able to see the industrial sites of Korea, which has developed to world-class levels, for myself as well. I have a lot of interest in cars and so if I have the chance, I would also like to visit a Korean automobile maker.” Lisandra said, “I am interested in traveling, but I have not been able to travel much due to various reasons. During my studies here, I would like to visit different cities of Korea and also gain diverse experience in Korean culture.”
They said, “We believe that we must first know about the Korean culture and the Korean people to be able to gain deep understanding of Saemaul that started in Korea.” They also added, “We would like to learn about the Korean language and culture while studying here. We hope to make friends with not only international students we study with, but also with as many Koreans as possible.”
Meanwhile, the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul was established in November 2011 to foster Saemaul international development experts and local development experts for public employees and workers in public sectors in developing countries. Up until now, 477 people from 60 countries earned master’s degrees who are now working as international development and local development experts around the world. As of March 2018, there are currently 118 international students from 30 countries studying at YU.
