PSPS (Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul) held Global Cultural Festival for Experience in Korean Language and Culture.

“Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest” and presentation of “My life in Korea,” etc. for foreigner students

Enjoyed the festival with traditional dances and songs of the world as well as Korean traditional plays including stick throwing

[October 06, 2023]

PSPS of YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) held “2023 Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest & Global Saemauler Festival.” It is a global cultural festival designed to help international students to enhance their understanding of traditional Korean culture and Korean language, share their feelings about Korea, and strengthen their sense of belonging and connection.

In the Saemaul Spirit Korean Speaking Contest held at the YU Folk Village on the morning of the 6th, 12 international students from 7 countries, including Myanmar, Tanzania, and Ghana, attending Park Chung-hee Graduate School of Saemaul participated.Foreign students made Korean presentations with such subjects as “What is Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul for me?” and “My life in Korea,” “The happiest time in my life,” etc.

<A foreigner student of PSPS makes a presentation in Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest>

Herrera Quintero Maria Del Rosario from Panama, who presented on the topic of ‘My Life in Korea’, took first place in the competition. Maria said, “I think that as a result of focusing on studying my Korean language while preparing for the Korean speaking contest, could get this good result. Preparing for this topic gave me an opportunity to reflect on my time studying abroad and strengthen my will to study. I want to make many memories while enjoying traditional Korean games with my friends who are studying with me.”

<Winners of Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest>

Next to Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest, Global Saemauler Festival was held in the afternoon. More than 80 persons consisting of students and professors of PSPS and students of YU Saemaul Club had the opportunities to enjoy Korean traditional plays such as stick throwing, Jegi kick, hoop roll, and arm wrestling, etc. In addition, foreign students from around the world had the time to show off and understand other cultures by performing traditional dances and songs of their countries, wearing traditional costumes, and putting on a fashion show.

<Foreigner students of PSPS enjoy stick throwing, a Korean traditional play>

<Foreigner students of PSPS enjoy Jegi kick, a Korean traditional play>

Director LEE Byeong-wan of YU Park Chung-hee Graduate School of Saemaul, who organized this event, said, “It would be an opportunity for foreign students to improve their Korean language skills by writing and presenting in Korean what they felt and experienced while studying abroad in Korea. I hope that their understanding of Korean culture increases and vitality is provided for their abroad-studying life in a foreign country by experiencing Korean culture with professors and friends at today’s festival. I hope that the Saemaul major knowledge and experience gained at Park Chung-hee Graduate School of Saemaul will be of great help to international students when they return to their respective countries.”

<Foreigner students of Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul   enjoy Korean traditional culture, Samulnori performance>

Meanwhile, Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS) of YU was established in 2011 to cultivate Saemaul leaders of developing countries.Foreign students studying in PSPS consist of public officials planning policies in respective countries, employees of public institutions, social activists, and professional workers, etc. differently from students of faculties or graduate schools. They study Korean language and complete master's degree course during a relatively short 18-month study period and YU has been providing Korean Speech Contest and Korean culture experience events to supply them with wider experiences in Korean culture.Now, 58 foreigner students from 23 countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Panama, and Liberia, etc. are studying and, until now, 765 persons from 67 countries received master’s degree of Saemaul Study and are working as main policy establishers, international development professionals, and Saemaul Undong leaders in central ministries/offices, public institutions, and international development NGOs, etc.