18 Students from South Korea Visiting Husson University

Published on: July 11, 2014

BANGOR, MAINE – Eighteen students from Kookmin University in Seoul, South Korea are learning English and getting a first-hand look at America as part of the Summer English Enrichment (SEE) program at Husson University. The enrichment program which began on July 5th runs until August 2nd. 

“Students spend three hours each morning studying English in a traditional classroom setting,” said Colleen Grover, director of International Initiatives at Husson University. “But in the afternoon, they participate in activities that allow them put their English skills to use as they learn more about U.S. culture, customs and traditions.”

Activities include everything from everyday experiences like riding the bus, visiting restaurants, and shopping, to taking in some of the sights at Acadia National Park. During their stay, students will have the opportunity to visit Freeport and Portland. They’ll even have a chance to test their skills on the UMaine Ropes Course. At the conclusion of their visit, the South Korean students will have the opportunity to participate in an English language newscast through Husson’s New England School of Communications that will be transmitted back to Seoul. 

Steve Egland, an instructor with International Student Immigration Affairs at Husson University and Benjamin Hale, the director of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at John Bapst, teach the daily classes.

The SEE program is part of an ongoing exchange program partnership with Kookmin University. 
Kookmin is a private university located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is the sixth largest university in Seoul with approximately 22,000 students, 800 faculty members and an administrative staff of 350 people. 

As part of the exchange program, Husson University has hosted two Kookmin students and will be hosting another two in the fall. Taylor Evans, a Husson University student, plans to study at Kookmin during the 2014 Fall Semester. Starting in September, Evans will be a senior in Husson University’s New England School of Communications.

Two scholarships are making Evans’ trip to South Korea possible. The Tom and Mary Martz Scholarship will cover her travel costs. In addition, Evans’ trip is being made possible through the Korean Government Scholarship Program overseen by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). This prestigious award is rarely given to students from the United States and is considered a significant honor.

In reflecting on the importance of the partnership with Kookmin, Grover said: “International exchange programs like this one are an important part of today’s college experience. We now live in a global economy. Customers for American products can be found anywhere there is an Internet connection. This new economy is creating a demand for employees who have both skills and cultural sensitivity. We must help our students develop these traits in order to ensure their success in the multicultural, multinational marketplace. By participating in exchange programs, like the one we have with Kookmin, Husson University is giving our students the broad cultural perspectives they’ll need for the jobs of tomorrow.” 

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.