미지센터의 청소년 국제교류이야기

Dr. SeongYong Ahn

Q. What is the main goal of the WCU International Conference?

A. The WCU International Conference (IC) is an international academic event that is hosted in conjunction with the World Class University Project, run by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST). This project is an opportunity for Korean and foreign scholars to share their research findings. WCU IC’s main purpose is the same as the reason for its founding. The WCU Project’s main goal is to raise the level of Korean universities so that Korea can bring in the research culture of scientifically advanced nations and furthermore gain recognition on an international level. WCU wishes to form an infrastructure for Korean universities to reach international standards.

Q. “Junior Session” is an opportunity for selected middle and high school students to present their topics and listen to various opinions and suggestions from Nobel Prize laureates. This shows a promising future in the sciences for Korean youths. In order for Korean students to have a promising future, what kinds of support structures do we need?

A. First, the basic perception on pursuing one’s career in the sciences and engineering needs to change. Currently, students are still stuck in an education system that focuses only on college entrance via cramming-based teaching methods. Therefore the social perception of well-performing students is that they neglect science and engineering. Those who do pursue careers in science and engineering often consider medical school their ultimate goal. In order for science improvement to happen, many top students need to make an effort to be interested in the fundamental sciences. Competitions such as the Science Olympiads cannot have much meaning if their only purpose is to enter a better university. Youths should cultivate personal interest in the sciences and schools and government programs should support and provide programs that will help draw students’ attentions to this field. Korea needs a social system that can grow out of cramming-based teaching methods and grow into an environment where science prodigies can grow.

Q. In order for there to be a first Korean Nobel Prize laureate in the sciences, what kind of changes are needed for Korea’s education?

A. Nobel Prize laureates are not decided by education. Even if there are academic prodigies, it will be impossible for them to earn Nobel Prizes until Korea changes scientists’ research environments and culture. First, government supported policies need to change in order to support scientists to pursue creative research. If research results are demanded in such a short period of time, as in the present reality, they will lose the opportunity to be recognized internationally by the Nobel Foundation as well as other international organizations. For example, Japan continues to provide research funding as an investment for the future. Even if the results are not visible right away, they provide funding continuously for more than ten years. Through this kind of system and research culture, they have been able to rise to a global level in the field of fundamental science and as a result have turned out many Nobel Prize laureates.

Q. What kind of improvements can Korea’s education gain by inviting distinguished foreign scholars to this country?

A. By inviting distinguished foreign scholars to Korea, the biggest outcome Korea can gain is a mutual exchange in advanced education. This also creates international networks for Korean scientists. International scholars, including graduate students, can share and debate each other’s research topics. Through such networking and active communication, Korean scientists can develop an international perspective toward their science research. Distinguished foreign scholars coming into Korea have worked as a bridge for our scientists to increase their international awareness. Therefore Korean scientists can have more opportunities to continue their education in leading foreign universities or conduct research in conjunction with foreign scholars.

*These opinions are the personal opinions of Dr. SeongYeong Ahn, not the opinions of WCUIC.

Q. The three topics of Bridge Project is correct culture exchange, cross-cultural contents and hallryu’s topic relationship with globalization. Why did AIESEC choose these three topics?

A.      When AIESEC was first picking the topics for the project was not to end the project by simply introducing and advertising Korean culture. Instead it was more focused on actually showing the Korean cultures and Koreans learning foreign cultures together. AIESEC focused on cross-cultural exchanges. We worried and wondered a whole lot about how to introduce each other’s cultures in the term of fun. The decision was made to first listen to the speeches and training. By receiving back ground knowledge, students participate in debate. Lastly the students were to take a more active role related with the topic. Through the big picture, AIESEC chose three topics.

           More than that the three topics are related with globalization, they are more connected to the key of cross-culture exchanges. At first, we believed that before starting culture exchange, students needed to know about what really is the correct culture exchange. With the base of such knowledge, we wanted a more fun type of culture exchange. We believed that by making culture exchange contents, the natural cross-culture exchange can happen. This thought of “fun” decided on our second topic. Lastly, since hallryu is one of the representatives of Korean culture, we chose the topic of hallryu’s topic and relationship with globalization.

Q. Bridge Project involved many foreigners. Where are these foreigners from?

A.        The foreigners that participated in the Bridge Project are the students from AIESEC internship program. AIESEC is an organization is working with the vision of world peace and human potential. When the AIESEC organization was first made, the people in part organization believed that culture exchange and internship is necessary for the vision to come true. Therefore the main business for our organization is internship transmission. As I have mentioned above, Bridge Project was made as a sort of an internship. The foreigners are the interns that came to Korea through AIESEC. The foreign students are college students from variety of countries such as China, Slovakia, Indonesia, Germany and etc.

Q. In the 21^st global century, culture exchange is one of the hot topics. During culture exchanges, what should people be aware of or what kind of attitude should people have?

A.         Through the Bridge Project, I personally learned how important attitudes are while culture exchanging with foreigners. Also many participants agreed with me. To me, I think the best attitude is not to just think that foreign cultures are different from ours. People in culture exchanges should have the attitude to learn why there are such differences. I was able to learn that both Asians and Western friends are all different. In small gestures or face expressions, I could see the small cultural differences with foreign friends. When I felt such cultural differences, I didn’t simply end my thinking with “Oh, they’re different.” Instead I thought to myself, “Why is it different?” After being aware of such differences, trying to learn the differences is the key to the true culture exchange.

            Also before starting culture exchange, throwing away fear for English is a step that the person has to take. At first, many people believe that only people who speak fluent English can communicate with foreigners. However, as the participants in the Bridge Project experienced 6 weeks of long communications with foreigners, they realized that that was only a prejudice. People need to break out of their shell and free themselves from the language barrier.

Q. Recently, the biggest key in culture exchange has been through Hallryu. Besides Hallryu, what other cultures can we share? Or what areas of cultures should Koreans improve in order to share with the world?

A.       Hallryu is currently too concentrated on K-pop music and commercial contents. There is a need to expand the areas of Hallryu. Also songs, dances, movies and etc. types of entertainments are easily spread to other nations. However, it is hard for other contents to draw attention of foreigners’ eyes. Therefore it is important to have a powerful advertising in foreign countries. As a personal opinion, I believe that the other area to improve besides hallryu is food. Through the Bridge Project, I learned that South Korean dishes have variety of tastes and foods, compared to foreign countries. By enlightening such strengths of Korean dishes, it will be great to globalize our food more than the present.