Kyungnam University Sends All Freshmen Abroad ... Full-Scale Launch of "Hanma Global Sprint"

Establishing a New Paradigm for International Education
Taking the First Step Toward Strengthening Global Competencies

Kyungnam University has launched the full-scale operation of its "Hanma Global Sprint" program, which sends all freshmen abroad, marking a new step in global education innovation.

Group photo of Hanma Global Sprint Department.

The university's newly introduced internationalization strategy, "Hanma Global Sprint," aims to offer diverse learning opportunities on a global stage from the moment of admission. This program began in earnest in September, marking the first step in a large-scale initiative to enhance global competencies.

With the slogan "Starting Point: Kyungnam University, Campus: The World," this program offers short-term overseas training led directly by each department for freshmen.

The training takes place in various countries, including Japan, China, and Taiwan. Students not only experience different cultures but also visit institutions related to their majors to strengthen their global competencies. All expenses required for the program are fully covered.

So far, a total of six departments-including the Department of Trade and Logistics, School of Business Administration, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Physical Therapy, Department of Culinary Arts, and Department of Mathematics Education-have completed training programs in Japan and China. All other departments are scheduled to participate sequentially in the future.

The response from participating students has also been positive. Jung Hyunseok, a student from the Department of Culinary Arts who completed the program in Osaka, said, "I have always been interested in ramen cuisine, and it was a valuable experience to make ramen myself and learn about the manufacturing process in detail at the Osaka Nissin Cup Noodle Museum. I want to continue taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow abroad to further develop my global competencies."

Internationalization programs for current students are also attracting significant attention. Kyungnam University operates a language training program centered on its "Overseas English Language Institute" established in the Philippines, providing full financial support for tuition and other expenses. Participants benefit from the recognition of 18 general elective credits, intensive TOEIC education, cultural experiences, and opportunities for local internship interviews.

President Park Jaekyu stated, "Hanma Global Sprint is a structural innovation that provides equal global learning opportunities to all students and marks a new beginning for Kyungnam University's internationalized education. We will continue to pursue internationalization policies that drive tangible growth for our students and lead a new direction in higher education in Korea."

Meanwhile, over the past eight years, Kyungnam University has provided overseas training, internships, and volunteer opportunities to about 3,000 students, achieving internationalization outcomes totaling 7.6 billion won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.