Sejong Institute's global students arrive in Seoul

A large group of Korean language students from overseas are visiting Seoul from October 4 through 10.

The students all attend branches of theKing Sejong Institute, an overseas educational institute where non-Koreans can study Korean language and learn about Korean culture. Being at the top of their classes, these students were invited to Seoul for a series of cultural events organized by theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourismand the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF). Forty-three nations are represented in the group of students.

A group of 174 students from 43 countries, all with excellent Korean language skills, visit Korea for a seven-day cultural program. (photos: Jeon Han)

Inspirational stories behind their interest in Korea

Many of the students have a moving story concerning their interest in things Korean. Sherpa Jangmu, 26, from Nepal, began studying Korean when he worked as a mountain guide. He came across a Korean Buddhist monk and they struck up a conversation. Today, he is visiting Seoul for the first time.

John Hoffman, 38, from Germany, developed an interest in Korean culture after watching some Korean films which dealt with national division, including "Joint Security Area" (2000) and "Swiri" (1999). Being German, national division struck a chord.

Piovesan Chiara, 21, from Italy, said she was deeply moved by the story of Korea's independence movement.

Kazai Lynne Imali, 21, from Kenya, simply wanted to experience Seoul's wired urban transportation system. She likes to browse while on the subway and while zipping along in the bus-only lanes on the expressway.

More inspiring stories behind the King Sejong Institute students can be found at the institute's homepage. (http://learner.sejonghakdang.org)

Schedule filled with a variety of events

During their seven-day trip to Korea, the students will be given the chance to participate in various cultural events, including K-pop concerts, a dance contest andTaekwondolessons. They will make their ownkimchi, practice traditional music and at the end of the day will make their own pencil case to help them in their continuing studies.

Foreign students attend the King Sejong Institute events wearing their own national costume. (photos: Wi Tack-whan)

A flash mob takes place in front of King Sejong's statue in Gwanghwamun Square. Students hold up cards which read, "The Sejong Institute Unites Korean Learners". (photo courtesy of the KSIF)

As part of the cultural program, a flash mob was organized for October 6 in front of the King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun Square. Garbed in their national dress, students showed up at the plaza with their national flag in hand. On October 7, the students visited the National Museum of Korea and took part in a KBS TV quiz show, "The Golden Bell Challenge". They were tasked with answering 50 questions about Korean culture.
 
Interview with Chairman Song Hyang-geun of the King Sejong Institute Foundation

Q: The number of non-Korean students studying Korean language has been rising over the past few years. Please share with us your thoughts on this trend.

A: Korea's global popularity began with an interest inKorean dramas and K-pop. Recently, however, more and more people have shown an interest in other aspects of Korean culture, including the Korean language, food and so on. As the popularity of our culture has grown, those interested in it are no longer limited to East Asia. There are many Korean learners in South America, Europe and the Middle East. In the past, we had mostly second-generation Koreans enrolling in our classes. But nowadays we see more and more non-Korean students enrolling in King Sejong Institute programs.

Q: Students' reasons for learning Korean seem to be changing. At first, it was mere curiosity. But now, more and more students say that learning Korean is a way to acquire knowledge and technical skills. How does the Sejong Institute plan to respond to this differentiation?

A: It is true that the number of Korean-language learners, as well as those who want to settle in Korea, has seen a steady rise. This is due to both an increase in international marriage and because of the implementation of a new Employment License System. Many local foreign learners from a range of developing nations seem to be studying Korean for a variety of reasons. Some want to be prepared to study or to find a job in Korea. Others simply have an interest in the language.

In an effort to meet those students' needs, the King Sejong Institute has launched a complete range of cultural programs. We invented and have successfully conducted what can be called a test model program for cultural education. In October and November this year, this cultural education program will be rolled out for the first time at our Vietnam, UK and German locations.

In addition, we have built a cooperative partnership with theKorea National University of Arts(KNUA) and theNational Gugak Center. Both institutes will send Korean artists and experts to King Sejong Institute schools across the world, allowing our local students to experience Korean culture first-hand. A Korean folk song expert from the National Gugak Center will be visiting the UK and Algeria in October and November this year, and two interns from the KNUA will visit our locations in Canada and Italy to teach pungmul (a percussion band) and other forms of traditional Korean music.

Q: What is your plan to strengthen interaction between Korea and overseas branches of the Sejong Institute?

A: During our first year, our top priority has been to ensure the stability of our current schools. Moving forward, we plan to open ten new institutes per year and to improve both the quality of education and the management at our existing schools. In order to implement these plans, we've adopted a re-training system for our teachers who will be required to pass a promotion test. In addition, we've developed an internal assessment manual, which we expect to play a role in developing effective management teams.

Q: What do you think is required for Korea -- both its government and its people -- to develop better relations with its neighboring nations?

A: In terms of language and culture, one cannot be superior to others. Language is the best tool to identify the characteristics of the nation, the culture and the national spirit. Likewise, Korean language is the best tool to describe Korean culture and to explain "Korean" ways of thinking. It is important to have such a multicultural attitude toward other nations, different languages and cultures. With that in mind, the King Sejong Institute strives to make Korean language and culture more widely known in other parts of the world and to contribute to global cultural diversity.

o The King Sejong Institute Foundation gives an opportunity for non-Koreans to learn Korean language and Korean culture. The foundation is named after the creator of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, King Sejong. Launched in October 2012, the institute now spans 117 branches across 51 countries and has a student body of over 28,000.
※http://www.sejonghakdang.org

By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
[email protected]