The IC provides CNU students with an opportunity to study at foreign universities and learn foreign language and culture as well as for international students to study at CNU through its many programs. The programs are Exchange Student Program (ESP), Overseas Language Training Program (OLTP), World Traveling Program (WTP), Global Volunteering Program (GVP), Cultural Field Trips (CFT) and so on.

The IC: There for Our future!

By Kim Bo-a, Tribune Reporter

Recently, more and more students go abroad to learn foreign language and to do volunteer work. The trend of globalization makes it necessary for university students to enhance their competitiveness on a global scale. CNU established the International Center (IC) in February 2005 in order to cope effectively with this situation. The IC located on the ninth floor of the Main Office works in coordination with the International Science Interchange Agreement (currently encompassing 89 schools in 19 countries) and offers various programs for international and CNU students. Chonnam Tribune visited the IC and met four staff who operate various programs and provide services for students. Let’s get to know about these IC programs.

The IC provides CNU students with an opportunity to study at foreign universities and learn foreign language and culture as well as for international students to study at CNU through its many programs. The programs are Exchange Student Program (ESP), Overseas Language Training Program (OLTP), World Traveling Program (WTP), Global Volunteering Program (GVP), Cultural Field Trips (CFT) and so on.

Exchange Student Program

CNU operates exchange student programs with sister universities abroad. Exchange students are selected from applicants for the ESP that have the necessary qualification in their respective countries once a year. Applicants at CNU must know about CNU and Korea as well, so they may publicize them to foreigners. After selection for exchange, students may continue to study their majors for a year and learn about foreign traditional cultures and customs of their respective host country. However, many students believe they lack ability in English to study abroad, and so tend to be reluctant to apply to the ESP. Lee Ji-young, a member of staff at the center said, “If you don’t have a try, you don’t have a chance. But, if you try, at least you have a chance. You will succeed or fail. It is not important that students have ability in English but to make every effort to achieve what they want.

Other Programs for CNU Students

CNU offers students several other programs, as already mentioned to go abroad in order to enhance their ability in a foreign language.  The Overseas Internship Program (OIP) offers students the opportunity to get job practice experience relevant to their major for four weeks or eight weeks. They can also gain credits by participating in the OIP. The participants of OLTP, WTP and GVP, also stay abroad and acquire diverse experience for from nine to eleven weeks during vacation. CNU financially supports the participants of these programs. Although many students are interested in these programs, they tend to hesitate in applying for them. According to the IC staff, the programs competition rates are lower than expected. In case of the OLTP, the competitive rate is two to one, and the rate is three to one for the WTP. If you give it a try, you’ll get a chance to learn a foreign language and get experience related to your major. These programs are open to all CNU students. Why don’t you knock on the door of the center right now? If you have a challenging spirit with a positive attitude, the opportunity is open to you. If you have a dream, try to do everything at CNU to fulfill it.

Programs for International Students

Many foreign students can be seen on campus at CNU these days. There are approximately 350 foreign students including language training students, which is twice the number compared to the previous year. They account for 0.01 percent of the total student population at CNU. Keeping pace with Korean government policy which allows foreign students to enter university in Korea, CNU has concentrated its efforts on supporting foreign students’ living rights since 2005.

The IC consults with international students and helps the process of coming to and departing from Korea.  Foreign students are assisted with such things as obtaining immigrant visas and alien registration certificates. It provides visiting international students with the opportunity to experience Korean culture through the CFT, which is held for two days in September, each year since last year. This program will be conducted twice a year from next year on because foreign students like this program very much. The center also offers international students support programs such as the Korean Volunteering Program and the Mentor System. Kim Seon-mi, a staff member at the IC, said, “Our present infrastructure is not enough to support foreign students. I hope that as soon as possible, the infrastructure is developed to provide better services for them.” As the international student population increases, the IEC seems to need more staff.  For further information, please visit the CNU International Center web site (http://international.chonnam.ac.kr).