student corner Songdo global campus boon to local opportunities
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By Chang Ji-ho
You’re so lucky; I’m jealous. These are the first words I hear every time I meet someone new and they hear about my experiences in the United States.
The overwhelming consensus is that because I can speak English and have spent time abroad, even taking into account my many faults and shortcomings, I will be more likely to succeed than those who cannot.
It’s not hard to see why: Promises of bountiful, high paying jobs in the U.S. and the hard fact that more and more institutions in Korea are deeming English fluency a requirement for employment.
The effects are clearly seen throughout bustling cities all over Korea.
Want ads for English teachers, billboards promising techniques and secrets to the next in-demand English proficiency exam, and the daily influx of expats looking to secure well paying teaching jobs gives credence to these claims.
There is more pressure to become a “global citizen” than ever before and those unable to spend time abroad are finding themselves at a distinct disadvantage.
The obvious answer for many parents looking to secure employment for their children in the future has been to send them overseas.
However, there are a myriad of issues with sending students to foreign countries.
Even without taking into account exorbitant expenses, separation from loved ones and concerns over safety and wellbeing have proven to be an overwhelming barrier for the majority of Korean citizens.
Fortunately, less radical options have arisen for Korean students looking to study abroad.
The Incheon Global Campus, located in Songdo, is a collaboration of multicultural universities in a local environment.
Though located on Korean soil, they offer all the benefits of studying abroad such as foreign professors, courses taught in English, and a multicultural student life experience.
It should also be noted that the degrees on this campus are the same as those obtained on main campuses in their respective countries.
These universities allow not only Korean students to explore American life but in addition allow their local students to experience Korean culture as well.
This diverse student body allows for the sharing of ideas and cultures, and multinational networking accommodations previously unavailable at local institutions.
The programs offered at these universities require their students to study at both the local campus in Korea and the main campuses of their respective universities as well.
It’s a thoughtful system that allows students to become acclimated to the university lifestyle while in Korea before going abroad to complete their studies. Needless to say, it should provide some relief to anxious students and parents alike.
Another major strength of these universities is that their curriculums provide a more clear-cut path for those who wish to pursue careers abroad.
They provide ease of access to foreign internships and research positions, networking in nonnative communities, and offer programs based on STEM (science, technology, education, and mathematics) subjects, which are valuable to those interested in gaining candidacy for permanent residence in countries such as the U.S.
For those seeking careers in a global context, the Incheon Global Campus seems to be a noteworthy option.
I’d like to see a day when the more common response to my personal story is a feeling of identification rather than a look of envy.
Because, while it’s true that global careers may not appeal to all, most will agree that shrinking job markets, fierce competition among peers, and increasing expectations from employers have made success on an international platform an aspiration for many students in Korea.
The availability of an international campus is significant for students because it offers a more accessible way to experience globally-driven programs.
To me it seems to be a step in the right direction, and hopefully in the future more students will be presented with the opportunity to boast of an international background and the chance to hone their language skills.
The writer is a graduate student for a master’s degree in public health at the University of Utah.