▲ Global Lounge in International Hall (Photo by the Office of International Affairs)

 

In this era of globalization, international experience and communication abilities are required of students. Because of this, most universities in Korea have been actively seeking to attract foreign students to internationalize their campuses. Moreover, due to the rapid decrease in the number of domestic students, the role of international students has become increasingly important. To address these trends, SeoulTech established the new International College exclusively for international students on March 1, 2023, and will commence student recruitment from the spring semester of 2024.

 

Introduction to the International College

The International College comprises two schools: the Global School of Korean Language and Culture and the Global School of Foundational Education. Additionally, the Global School of Korean Language and Culture offers two majors: Korean Language Education and K-Culture and Technology.

Students majoring in Korean Language Education will study Korean grammar, theory, and education. They will also participate in internship programs at the SeoulTech Language Center and the King Sejong Institute. Graduates have the opportunity to obtain the Certificate of Korean Language Teacher (Level 2) from the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The K-Culture and Technology Major provides courses covering various aspects of Korean culture, including K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and K-fashion. Students in this major will also learn about the technologies used in the K-culture industry, preparing them for careers in diverse cultural fields. In addition, the major offers company internship programs during the junior and senior years to provide practical skills.

Meanwhile, the Global School of Foundational Education offers basic language courses to enhance the Korean language skills of international students. While the Korean courses for SeoulTech's international students were originally managed by the Office of International Affairs, the International College will assume responsibility for these courses starting from the second semester of 2023.

 

Reasons for the Change

There were some concerns raised upon its establishment of the new college. Some SeoulTech students expressed their reservations about the International College on the mobile school community platform Everytime. They argued that SeoulTech should consider establishing other colleges, such as those focused on medical or natural sciences. However, there are compelling reasons behind SeoulTech's decision to establish the International College.

Firstly, the two departments scheduled to launch in 2024, Korean Language Education and K-Culture and Technology, are more accessible for international students than other proposed fields of study. Many of the existing majors at SeoulTech, such as Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, and Fine Chemistry, involve subjects that are challenging for non-native language speakers. This might help explain SeoulTech's relatively low number of foreign students compared to other universities. In contrast, the new departments have lower entry barriers.

Secondly, these majors hold a strong appeal for international students. A professor from the International College surveyed foreign students who were studying Korean at SeoulTech and other institutes, asking them about their preferred areas of study at a Korean university. A significant number of foreign students expressed interest in Korean education or K-culture studies.

This inclination is quite natural, given that many young people are drawn to Korea due to their fascination with K-culture. As a result, the new departments are notably appealing to international students.

 

Expectations for the Future

Above all, SeoulTech anticipates that this change will provide a significant opportunity for the internationalization of the university. The influx of international students is expected to foster greater interaction between foreign and Korean students, which is a highly effective method to cultivate an international mindset among both groups. To facilitate this, the International College plans to introduce extra-curricular programs aimed at promoting communication between foreign and Korean students.

Furthermore, it is hoped that foreign students, who were previously scattered among various departments, will find a sense of belonging and comfort within the International College. This initiative also provides SeoulTech with the opportunity to continuously explore ways to support foreign students and develop collaborative programs with international partner universities. This strategic approach will enable SeoulTech to expand its global reach and network.

For individuals interested in enrollment or pursuing a double major within the departments of the International College, comprehensive information will be available on the college website, social media, and KakaoTalk starting from the second semester of 2023. Additionally, students will have the option to consult with faculty members either online or offline.



 

Reporter,

Suyoung Kong ksy6648@seoultech.ac.kr

Reporter 공수영

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• e-mail : ksy6648@seoultech.ac.kr