About 100 students finish Education Abroad program

By Chung Hyun-chae

Some 100 students have completed a one-year course for the Korea Times Education Abroad program that will allow them to study at one of 15 universities in the United States for the upcoming spring semester.

They attended the program’s 2015 graduation ceremony at COEX, southern Seoul, Tuesday.

Korea Times Education Abroad is an education institution helping local students find and prepare for opportunities overseas. Once students are accepted into one of the U.S. partner universities, they are enrolled in the one-year program here.

The universities include Temple University, Georgia State University, Washington State University, Utah State University, Southern Utah University, California State University San Marcos, State University of New York Albany and State University of New York Geneseo.

“Our students have finished the program here and now they will go to the U.S. to complete three years of college education,” said Mathew Kim, director of external affairs at the education institution.

The students went through the institution’s English training program called Proficiency of English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) and general education courses before matriculating as sophomores.

All the students who completed the institution’s program will start their spring semester in America, with 15-30 credits transferred from the institution.

“It is so meaningful that we have completed the one-year course and will embark on our new journey soon. I am little afraid of life in the U.S. but, at the same time, I am really looking forward to it,” said Park Jin, a student who will study at the State University of New York at Albany, during a speech on behalf of all the students.

“Given that those fluent in English also have difficulties in adapting themselves to American university life, I think it is good for them to receive rigorous English training including taking lectures and practicing debates during one year,” said Chung Choon-hee, a professor at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, who is the father of another student.

His daughter, Chung Ji-won, 18, was admitted to Southern Utah University in March and took the education abroad program for ten months with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor in the U.S.

The institution provides diverse programs, one of which helps students to pursue a medical degree.

Chung plans to move on to the New Tokyo Medical College (NTMC) on Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, to obtain a medical degree, after graduating from the American university.

Twenty-seven students received $4,000 to $8,000 in scholarships, based on their academic performance during their year at the institution.

The total amount of scholarships was estimated at $369,000.

Three outstanding students also received scholarships from The Korea Times, the nation’s oldest English daily, for their scholastic achievement and leadership.

Lee Chang-sup, president-publisher of The Korea Times, granted the scholarships to the three students during the event.

“I do realize that the one-year English training course was not easy, and I appreciate your hard work and your parents’ support,” Lee said in his congratulatory address during the event.

“I hope all of you will become leaders in the global era after studying at reputable universities in the U.S,” he added.

The event was also attended by the students’ parents, English instructors and the institution’s staffers.