Cultural Experience Festival Held for International Students

Speech Topics Include “The Happiest Moment in My Life” and “My Life in Korea”

Students Enjoy Traditional Korean Games like Tuho Throwing Alongside Performances of Traditional Dances and Songs from Various Countries

[October 18, 2024] 

Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) hosted the ‘2024 Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest & Global Saemauler Festival.’ 

The event, organized by YU’s PSPS, was a global cultural festival aimed at enhancing international students’ understanding of Korean language and traditional culture. It also sought to foster a sense of belonging and solidarity among the participants through the sharing of Korean traditions. The festival was attended by more than 100 participants, including 68 students from the PSPS, members of the Saemaul Club at YU, and university faculty and staff.

 The Korean speech contest, held on the morning of October 18 at the YU Folk Village, saw 15 international students from six countries, including Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Nigeria, delivering speeches. The speech topics were “What the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul Means to Me,” “My Life in Korea,” and “The Happiest Moment in My Life.”

<Winners of the Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest>

The top prize went to Haqiqi Lulu Firdausi from Indonesia, who spoke on the topic “What the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul Means to Me.” She said, “I am happy that my Korean language skills have improved while preparing for this speech contest. More than the ranking, the experience of participating in this contest allowed me to learn more about Korea. I also look forward to enjoying more traditional Korean games and making memories with my friends.”

<PSPS students enjoy Korean traditional culture, Samulnori performance>

In the afternoon, the ‘Global Saemauler Festival’ took place, where over 100 participants, including students and professors from the PSPS, and members of the YU Saemaul Club, enjoyed traditional Korean games such as tuho (arrow throwing), jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock kicking), rolling hoops, and arm wrestling.Students from various countries also performed their traditional dances and songs, wearing their national attire in a fashion show, sharing and experiencing each other's cultures.

Dean of PSPS, LEE Byung-wan, who organized the event, said, “By presenting in Korean, international students not only practiced their Korean language skills but also deepened their understanding of Korean culture. We hope that the knowledge and skills they have gained here will help them contribute to the development of their own countries and build networks with Korea after they return home.”

Founded in 2011, PSPS aims to train Saemaul leaders from developing countries.  Unlike regular undergraduate and graduate students, the international students here are mainly government officials, public sector workers, social activists, and professionals who have experience in policy planning and execution in their home countries. These students complete an 18-month master’s program while studying the Korean language. To broaden their experience, YU organizes events like the Korean speech contest and cultural immersion programs. Currently, the school hosts 68 students from 23 countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the Solomon Islands, and South Sudan. To date, 808 students from 69 countries have earned a master’s degree in Saemaul Studies and have gone on to become key policymakers, international development experts, and Saemaul Movement leaders in national governments, public institutions, and international development NGOs worldwide.