Baekam sends students abroad
.jpg?w=728)
Han Jung-ho, left, principal of Baekam High School, and Bradley J. Cook, provost and executive vice president of Southern Utah University (SUU), show an agreement on a sister relationship between the two schools during a signing ceremony at Baekam’s campus in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, March 26. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Utilizing close partnership with Southern Utah University
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Baekam High School signed an agreement for a sister relationship with Southern Utah University (SUU) on March 26. It marks the second time the school has established such ties with an American university.
“Our students and their parents are very interested in studying abroad,” Baekam Principal Han Jung-ho told The Korea Times during an interview at the school’s campus in Yangcheon-gu, western Seoul. “It is my job to provide more opportunities for them.”
Han said Baekam chose SUU as a partner for its “academic-friendly environment and outstanding alumni community.”
SUU, founded in 1898, is in Cedar City, Utah, south of Salt Lake City. Some 1,700 students graduate from the university each year with bachelor’s and graduate degrees from its six colleges.
Han said that more students need to “study abroad,” looking for different kinds of opportunities.
“Too many people now compete for limited opportunities here. Koreans are disciplined, well-educated and competitive. It is time to move our attention overseas,” Han said.
Dr. Bradley J. Cook, provost and executive vice president of SUU, expressed high expectations from the prospective Korean students.
“There are 500 international students among a total of some 8,500 students in SUU. Of them, 70 are Korean students. They all are very diligent in their school work,” said Cook.
Baekam plans to send some students to study abroad upon graduation under the Korea Times Education Abroad program.
“There are still many obstacles in studying abroad, like language, culture, and tuition. I hope the MOU will enable our students to study in the U.S. at a lower cost with proper preparation,” said Han.