American College Students Experience Unique Korean Culture for 9 Weeks at Pusan National University

US State Department CLS Scholars Learn Korean

Korean Language, K-Food, Samulnori, Taekwondo, Templestay

The Pusan National University Language Education Institute (Director: Hyun Sugyeong, Professor of Nursing) hosted the Korean language education program “Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program” for 24 American university scholarship recipients, commissioned by the International Education Committee under the U.S. Department of State.

Busan National University is holding a completion ceremony for the CLS Korean Language Education Program.

This educational program was held for nine weeks from June 17 to August 14, featuring Korean language learning and various Korean cultural experiences.

The American scholarship students attended Korean language classes at the Pusan National University Language Education Institute and participated in various Korean cultural activities such as Korean cooking, Samulnori, Taekwondo, K-pop, and temple stay experiences.

Additionally, Pusan National University paired American students with Pusan National University students as 1:1 language partners and roommates, providing opportunities for intensive Korean language study and mutual exchange. Through this, American students naturally experienced the Korean language and culture, while Pusan National University students had the chance to introduce Korean culture and build an international network with the American students.

The CLS program is a Korean language education program in which undergraduate and graduate students selected by the U.S. Department of State participate in Korean language classes and cultural experiences at Pusan National University. Since signing an agreement with the U.S. Department of State in 2018 to operate the Korean language education program, the Pusan National University Language Education Institute has run the program annually, consistently achieving high levels of satisfaction among participants thanks to its quality Korean language education and cultural experience offerings.

Nathan Chen, a participant in this year’s program and an undergraduate student at Rice University, shared, “During the program, I gained knowledge and experiences I will never forget. It was a valuable opportunity not only to learn Korean but also to experience various aspects of Korean culture and make meaningful connections.”

Hyun Sugyeong, Director of the Pusan National University Language Education Institute, stated, “Hangeul is a script whose creator and creation purpose are clearly recorded, and its principles are highly scientific and noble. I am very proud and pleased that the Pusan National University Language Education Institute can teach Hangeul and help American students understand Korean culture through the CLS program. I hope this opportunity will allow students to continue their special connection with Pusan National University and Korea.”