University Highlights: Stepping Into Korean Culture, Award-Winning Leadership Program In New Zealand
Korea
Five U.S. Students Step Into Korean Life Via AsiaLearn’s Bridging Cultures Program
AsiaLearn participant Amy Shibel talks about the Bridging Cultures Program.
Sitting around a table to enjoy typical Korean meal. Strolling through Korean market and shops. Visiting sites of historical significance, such as the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, the strip of land that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
These video snapshots give a glimpse of the first experiences of five U.S. students who recently began their fall 2009 semester and year-long study abroad programs at Korea University, in Seoul.
“It’s kind of like a mix of downtown L.A. and crazy Korean stuff,” says Amy Shibel, a California Lutheran University student from Los Angeles as she rides in a car through Seoul during the second day of the Bridging Cultures Program, AsiaLearn’s four-day orientation designed to introduce participants to Korean history, culture differences and similarities, history, aspects of health and safety, travel options and the academic environment.
You can view Amy and the others in video clips here.
Bridging Cultures is a multi-day, in-country orientation program blending lecture, adventure, and culture for an informative and fun introduction to participants’ host countries while they live and study abroad. A core component of the AsiaLearn study abroad experience, the Bridging Cultures Program is designed specifically for semester and year-abroad students. The cost of the program, including most meals, accommodation, transport and excursions, is included in AsiaLearn program fees.
New Zealand
Victoria University of Wellington’s Innovative Leadership Program Garners Top Recognition
Victoria University of Wellington has won the New Zealand 2009 International Education Excellence Award for Innovation for the new Victoria International Leadership Programme (VILP).
“Victoria University has taken internationalization a step beyond the usual,” said Robert Stevens, chief executive officer of Education New Zealand, in a statement.
The program, launched in October 2008, is open to both domestic and international students, including AustraLearn participants, at no additional cost.
Students attend lectures and get involved in activities outside of their normal course loads. They attend speeches and seminars on relevant topics and participate in hands-on activities such as volunteer service in New Zealand and offshore, and international forums on issues of global importance.
After completing VILP (which runs the length of a full-degree program), participation is noted on the students’ academic records. A shorter version of the VILP is also available to study abroad and exchange students.
“Students who study abroad have already shown an interest in international perspectives,” Stevens said. “This opportunity to gain international leadership skills gives them another good reason to choose to come to New Zealand, and gives our own students the tools to become great ambassadors for New Zealand overseas.”
In its first year, over 700 students (including several from AustraLearn) have participated in the program, with 20% of those being international students.
For more information about the VILP program, visit here.
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