Students bound for US after graduating from IEEA Global Campus
Graduates of the IEEA Global Campus program and family join for a photo during a graduation ceremony at COEX in southern Seoul, Friday. A private institute, IEEA Global Campus offers preparatory courses to students who are admitted to U.S. universities. It teaches computer and language skills. Almost 100 students graduated that day. / Courtesy of IEEA Global Campus
By Ahn Seong-jin
More than 120 students have completed a one-year course for the IEEA Education Abroad program that will allow them to study at one of 21 universities in the United States in the spring semester.
They attended the program's 2017 graduation ceremony at COEX, southern Seoul, Friday.
IEEA Global Campus is an educational 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, Florida Institute of Technology, 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 at Oswego.
"Our students have finished the program here and now they will go to the U.S. to complete the courses of college education," said Mathew Kim, director of external affairs at the institution.
The students went through the institution's English training program called Proficiency of English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) and general education preparation courses before matriculating as college students.
"It is so meaningful that we have completed the one-year course and will embark on our new journey soon,” said Yeonju Seo, a student who will study at the State University of New York at Oswego, during a speech on behalf of all the students. “I am little afraid of life in the U.S. but, at the same time, I am really looking forward to it."
The institution provides diverse programs, including a professional pilot program and cabin-service program.
Twenty-nine students received $3,000 to $16,000 in scholarships, based on their academic performance and class participation during their year at the institution.
The total amount of scholarships was $638,250.
Nine outstanding students also received scholarships from IEEA for their scholastic achievement and leadership.
Lee Chang-sup, President-Publisher of The Korea Times, made a congratulatory speech at the ceremony.
"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. "I hope all of you will become leaders in the global era after studying at reputable universities in the U.S."