Chonnam National University (CNU) has provided intensive Korean Language training to 22 U.S students selected for a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program supported by the U.S government for seven years in a row since 2015. On August 11, the CLS program for this year ended with the closing ceremony held at a seminar hall in the G&R Hub building. They had taken Korean lectures and also participated in cultural classes such as taekwondo and Korean calligraphy, and outdoor excursions for six weeks from July 6. The program offered the U.S. students authentic opportunities to learn and broaden cultural knowledge by visiting historical spaces and understanding cultural differences. Isaiah Nielsen (Junior, Political Science and International Studies, University of Minnesota) said, “Visiting the May 18 National Cemetery and seeing the national monuments was a special experience, feeling the importance of democracy and those who started the movements.” Sarah Schrader (8th Year, MD-PhD Student, Microbiology-Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine) said, “I really enjoyed interacting with energetic teachers who always had positive thoughts. Having a language partner was a great opportunity to learn the language and understand Korean culture.

By Gaffarova Gulirano, Tribune Reporter