George Mason University Korea offers diverse opportunities
By Chung Hyun-chae
Anastasia Gogiashvili
Anastasia Gogiashvili, 20, a sophomore studying global affairs at George Mason University Korea, said she has enjoyed diverse opportunities provided by her university.
“Since the university is still in the process of advancement, it values the opinions of the students by closely listening to them,” Gogiashvili told The Korea Times. “For example, students are allowed to create new clubs, their own school jacket design and organize events in order to bring the Mason community together.”
For Gogiashvili, who is dreaming of working for world peace by mediating and solving conflicts, the international environment that George Mason University Korea provides is advantageous in that she can meet different people from various cultures.
“I was attracted by the fact that the university shares a campus with three other distinguished universities at the Inchon Global Campus,” she said.
The Incheon Global Campus (IGC) is currently hosting campuses of the State University of New York Korea, the University of Utah, Ghent University of Belgium and George Mason University Korea in Songdo, Incheon. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) of the State University of New York will establish its Korean campus next year.
“More importantly, President Lee and the faculty of George Mason try to bring guest speakers for special lectures in order to let students take down their walls and become more unrestricted,” Gogiashvili said. “With these available opportunities, students are given the chance to establish their own traditions and history of George Mason University Korea.”
The university tries to provide its students with as many job-related opportunities as it can.
The students are sometimes given a chance to work at the university. Gogiashvili also had the experience of working at an enrollment and marketing office as a student intern during the second semester of her first year.
“Working when I was a freshman was a unique experience for me. During my working time, it was a privilege for me to learn new office skills, proper communication methods and obtain real world experience,” Gogiashvili said. “To me, being a student intern was extremely helpful training since it taught me more about my strengths and weaknesses.”
Being interested in worldwide issues, Gogiashvili said she would like to have more internship opportunities at government offices, the U.N., the EU, or in organizations that study and analyze global issues.
“Understanding the functions of those kinds of organizations will truly benefit students majoring in global affairs in helping them find their specific field of interest,” she said.
Every George Mason University Korea student has an opportunity to study at its main Fairfax, Virginia, campus in the United States in their third year.
“I would like Mason Korea to open up more opportunities for students to study abroad in various nations,” Gogiashvili said. “This will allow us to view the world from various perspectives while growing as stronger individuals.”