Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Thirty-five Mississippi State students will experience at no cost South Korean universities, high-technology companies, cultural activities, and other experiences associated with the East Asian country during a 10-day May trip.
Thirty undergraduate and five graduate students will visit South Korea later this semester as part of the university's Korean Study Tour. Their travel-and-learning opportunity was developed as the result of a November visit to the country by MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong and J.P. Shim, a professor of management information systems.
Feb. 16 is the final day to apply. Applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrated leadership experience. A one-page essay also is required.
Shim said selected students will have an opportunity to broaden their world perspective, gain firsthand insight into high-tech South Korean companies and more. He said the changing marketplace, which now requires businesses to consider global strategies and competition, practically forces students to think globally. He said the program should be of special interest to students with information technology interests and strong communication skills.
"It's a great time to do this," said Shim, a South Korea native who has taught at MSU for 23 years. "We're really in a global I.T. society."
Five South Korean universities and two companies are covering all costs, Shim said. They include Catholic University of Daegu and Daejon, Kyungpook National and Kwangwoon universities, along with Chew Young Roo Food and Donguibogam Health Department Store.
While visiting the booming Indiana-sized country of 48.8 million people, MSU students will have the chance to tour companies such as Samsung Electronics and TU Media Corp., a satellite cellular television broadcasting center. They also will visit the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to learn about economic, geographical, political, and other features of the area.
Since Foglesong was selected as MSU's president last year, he has made increasing the international aspect of the land-grant institution a top priority. Foglesong said he wants MSU to expand international student enrollment and continue to provide many opportunities for students to travel abroad.
Shim said he feel students making the trip will appreciate the experience for many years to come.
"If you have this kind of global opportunity, you'll think differently about things in the future," he said.
Shim may be reached at 662-325-1994 or jshim@cobilan.msstate.edu.