We participants experienced such scorching heat from Shanghai in summer and such piercing cold from Harbin in winter that there was a joke that the KU-China Global Leadership Program was like being in the “Extreme Experience Program.” There were so many times the severe weather was tough. However, it was also a valuable time to see how people live in and survive such hot and humid summers and extremely cold winters, and to experience the rich cultural heritage that has blossomed from people’s adaptation to the climate. Over time, I deepened my understanding of how precious that time was. 

@ Hyun-seo Park (’15, Department of Statistics)



Before I joined the program, I could only speak a little broken Chinese, with just a few disjointed words to express myself. However, having finished the program, I can now fluently communicate in complete Chinese sentences. In addition to learning language, I also wanted to better understand Chinese situations related to nursing, which is my major. So I decided to visit some hospitals in China and was able to get a glimpse into what it’s like at Chinese medical institutions. Also, I had a valuable experience learning about the Chinese health care system, including its insurance programs, through interviews with Chinese people. @ Minji Kim (’13, Department of Nursing)

I had harbored the vague notion that it was too late for me to acquire a new language. But I found I was able to really settle into my studies, inspired by the office workers I saw in Harbin and Shanghai working on learning a new language. A lot of students are tempted to become lazy and just waste their time during vacations. But I can assure you that I have spent the most meaningful time of my college life so far [in the program]. @ Chae-rin Kim (’14, Department of Food and Resource Economics)

In the future, I want to work across multiple business areas. To attain this goal, the Chinese market is critical and speaking Chinese is a must for me, and I wanted to lay the groundwork before graduation. Thanks to this program, I was able to achieve my goal and also made up my mind to become the type of person who gives opportunities to those who comes after me. @ Bong-kyun Kang (’10, School of Media and Communication)



I was a complete novice, scared of even trying to study Chinese, but my Chinese proficiency grew fast enough that at the completion ceremony of the summer program, I was able to give a speech in front of the presidents of Korea University and the Renmin University of China. After I learned how to approach and study Chinese through intensive language classes at home and abroad, now I have nothing to fear. I surprised myself by communicating fluently and naturally in Chinese after a two-month study abroad program. The KU-China Global Leadership Program has greatly changed the course of my life, and I am proud of my choice in taking on the challenge to learn Chinese. @ Sung-pil Lim (’12, Department of Materials Science and Engineering)