대학신문방송국

Unforgettable Experiences with Global Short-Term Training 

  HBNU hosts several programs for its students during the vacation. In the second semester of 2019, the International Exchange Center conducted a short-term winter vacation training program called Hope Promotion Training, a training program for global connector training, and a training program for strengthening global job competency. Program participants are selected after the first round of document screening and the second round of interview screening. Selected students are given scholarships and the opportunity to participate in the program. For more information, please refer to the announcement on the HBNU website every semester. Now, let's take a look at two students’ experiences in the actual program.

Training Manual for Strengthening Global Employment Competency

By Park Hyeon-su Chief Editor, senior of English Language and Literature

  A year before graduation, I thought, "Is there a way to spend my vacation more meaningfully?" As a result, I went to a training course to strengthen my global job competency conducted by the International Exchange Center last winter vacation. Unlike other language courses, it was a training program aimed at getting a job abroad, and the best thing was that I could learn English and prepare for a job abroad at the same time. I thought living abroad this time would be more than just a vacation, so it was important what programs there were and where the university was. I was glad to participate in the English overseas job training conducted by the International Exchange Center because both the university and the region were good choices for me.

  I went to Wolverhampton University in England for a month from January 4 to February 1 for language training. This was the schedule of Telford Campus at Wolverhampton University. I had language classes in the morning, job preparation classes in the afternoon, and quiz time in the evening to enjoy learning the language. During the classes, I participated in various activities such as discussion, presentation, team activities, and diction alternately from 3 professors. Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, I went on a field trip near Telford, including London, Birmingham, and Cambridge. It was valuable to visit other parts of England to learn about the broader culture of England, see and experience it.

One of the most memorable English language training events was when I visited Range Rover and the company Jaguar. It was really impressive to me that I was able to explore the actual smart factory site, which I had only seen through hands-on equipment and videos while majoring in industrial management. It was a great experience for me to see with my own eyes how the British conglomerate's automobile manufacturing plant works and what it looks like inside.  

After the English language training, I gained confidence when I spoke English with foreigners and learned about various cultures within England. I'm going to use my overseas resume and the self-introduction that I learned from my British professor to help me get a job abroad. It was an unforgettable experience to live in England for a month, where I could make a lot of memories with interesting people and prepare for overseas employment. Through language training, I built the driving force for me to do my best every day in my remaining college life.

Connector Training Review

        By Lee Woo-Seong Reporter Senior of Mechanical engineering

  I participated in the Global Connector Program organized by the Office of International Affairs during this past winter vacation. I applied for this program because I thought going to a university in Las Vegas, Nevada was a great advantage. Through this program, I wanted to experience not only studying English, but also learn what kind of country America is and to learn more about American culture. As a result, I was lucky to enter the program and I left for the United States on January 19th.

  When I arrived in America, the hardest thing was to adapt to the time difference, not the culture, food, or language. On the first day I arrived at the hotel, I cleaned up and went to sleep. The schedule began on the second day. That morning, I took the bus provided by the school and had a city tour in the evening. The official class schedule started on the third day and I took a month of classes at the University of Nevada. We had a simple level test before the first class, and according to the result of this test, students were divided into upper, middle, and lower classes. I took English classes for 2 hours and major classes for 3 hours from Monday to Thursday. In the major class Liberal Arts and Social Science students take business classes, while science and engineering students take computer programming classes. During the English class, we wrote answers to questions on different topics every week and discussed them in English with our group of classmates. During the afternoon major class, I learned the C and Arduino program languages. These classes were very useful because the ability to use computer language programs is becoming increasingly important. Every Friday, I went out of school and participated in the field trip program. I visited the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and had a wonderful experience of seeing America with my own eyes. Also, I watched a college baseball game and visited a company near the university.

  However, I was disappointed that only two non-Korean students participated in the program. I wanted to meet many foreign friends through this program and have a meaningful cultural exchange. So, during lunchtime, I went around the university to meet new American friends. Although my English was not good, I tried hard to approach local students. As a result, I joined a club. Every Friday evening I had club activities and met many friends there.  Also, I participated in a sports program for students of the university and had fun experiences there.

  The best thing about this program was to meet and talk with people of various nationalities and learn a bit about their culture. This interaction helped my thoughts mature. Before I returned to Korea, after the program, I traveled to San Francisco and met many local people there and had a good experience.

  I hope many students apply for this program in the future. I think the program will help improve their English skills so they can enjoy more cultural experiences when traveling or living abroad.  Through this program, it would be good for students to go abroad to see a lot of things and have a range of experiences. I also hope this good program continues so that many students can participate just as I have and they will gain motivation to grow and study English steadily.