Samsung Electronics Holds Completion Ceremony for '2020 Samsung Dream Class Winter Camp'

Over 1,600 Middle School Students from Towns, Townships, and Island Areas Nationwide Grow Confidence and Dreams at Camp

On the 14th, middle school students participating in the '2020 Samsung Dream Class Winter Camp' at Yonsei University International Campus in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, are receiving software education from college student mentors. (Photo by Samsung Electronics)

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Samsung Electronics announced on the 22nd that it held graduation ceremonies at five universities nationwide, concluding the three-week-long '2020 Samsung Dream Class Winter Camp.'

The five universities are Kyung Hee University (Yongin), Sungkyunkwan University (Suwon), Yonsei University (Incheon), Hanyang University (Ansan), and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Yongin).

Started in 2012, 'Samsung Dream Class' is Samsung Electronics' representative educational social contribution program where university students mentor middle school students from regions with insufficient educational resources to support their learning.

The graduation ceremonies were attended by 1,600 middle school students from towns, townships, and island areas nationwide who completed the camp, along with their parents and 540 university student mentors.

The participating middle school students stayed together with university student mentors on each university campus for three weeks, focusing on intensive study of English and mathematics to build their confidence.

In particular, through software education introduced since last summer camp, students had time to develop creativity and problem-solving skills by identifying problems occurring around them and finding solutions through coding.

Additionally, middle school students, who had fewer opportunities for cultural experiences and career exploration programs compared to those in cities, attended concerts and participated in university major fairs, gaining chances to discover their own dreams and talents.

At the university major fair held on the 10th, university students participating in the camp introduced their majors directly, and middle school students explored their desired majors by listening to explanations, providing an opportunity for career exploration.

Usangwoo (1st grade, Miryang Middle School, Gyeongnam) said, "My dream is to be a reporter, and hearing media-related information at the media department booth helped me understand what I need to prepare for."

Kim Eunbin (1st grade, Seoil Middle School, Chungnam) shared, "Besides the career I was interested in, I learned about various majors such as nursing and convergence electronic engineering, which helped me in career exploration."

'Samsung Dream Class' creates a virtuous cycle of sharing where middle school students who received learning support through the camp grow into university students and participate again as mentors to pass on knowledge.

Up to 2019, 194 university student mentors who were former Dream Class participants have been active, and 72 participated in this camp.

Im Seolli (1st grade, Elementary Education Department, Daegu National University of Education), who participated in Dream Class as a 2nd-grade middle school student in 2014 and found it helpful for career choice, said, "Participating in the Samsung Dream Class camp in middle school gave me confidence in my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, and the creative experience activities in the camp, such as learning sign language, led me to choose a specialized major in special integrated education. I did my best hoping that juniors will also take a step closer to their dreams through Dream Class."

At the graduation ceremony held at Sungkyunkwan University Natural Science Campus, Jung Eunseung, President of Samsung Electronics Foundry Division, attended and encouraged the middle school students and university student mentors who completed the camp. President Jung said, "I hope both middle school and university students find their own dreams and grow into wonderful adults who practice sharing."

Samsung Electronics plans to continue Dream Class during the semester by launching the 'Samsung Dream Class After-School Program' for middle school students in urban areas starting in March.

Since its inception in 2012, 'Samsung Dream Class' has involved over 82,000 middle school students and 23,000 university students.