For Volunteering, backpacking, language course, and internships, etc
Up to 1.5 million won in financial support per student
[December 20, 2012]

 YU (president Lee, Hyo-soo) will provide 320 students the opportunity to experience the world during winter break. In order to lessen the financial burden of students, up to 1.5 million won will be provided by educational funding.

 71 students of the 24th YU overseas volunteer corps will begin volunteer activities in 8 countries for 2 weeks starting on January 5, 2013
(group photo of launching ceremony for the 24th overseas volunteer corps)

 As part of this, YU held the launching ceremony for the 24th overseas volunteer corps at the conference room on the 3rd floor of the law school library at 3pm on the 20th. YU, which has been dispatching volunteers to foreign countries for the past 11 years, began operating the program together with UNESCO and the International Workcamp Organization (IWO) since 2010 to provide students with the opportunity to provide volunteer services while eating and sleeping with university students from around the world. This winter, 71 volunteer students will commence overseas volunteer activities in 8 countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, India, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia for 2 to 3 weeks.

 Kang, Hoon (23, junior in the School of Materials Science and Engineering), who will work as a volunteer for two weeks in Laos from January 5, said, "I am very excited to be able to work with university students from around the world for two weeks to practice love without borders," and added, "I will return as a 'Y-type human resources' filled with maturity and intellect as a global citizen."

 One overseas program supported by educational funding that should not be forgotten is the 'Window To the World (WTW)' program. It is very popular as students plan their own theme and go on a backpacking trip, financially supported by the university such as for round-trip airfare. Competition amounts to 6 to 1. Since it began in 2002, over 1,500 students traveled the world up until the past summer break. During the winter break, 65 students will group into teams of 2 to 3 students and go on backpacking trips around the world for two to three weeks.

 'OPP (Outbound Pilot Program)' is another school financed overseas dispatch program that YU boasts. Freshmen and sophomore students who are interested in studying abroad are selected and provided with a 10 week focus English training session during the semester and then given the opportunity to study English abroad during winter break. It allows students to prepare thoroughly for exchange student programs that students can apply from after their junior year. During this winter break, 78 students selected through the OPP will go to the Philippines and Australia for 5 weeks. In addition, 106 more students will be sent overseas for 8 week language courses, overseas internships, and short-term cultural experience programs. Thus, a total of 320 YU students will travel the world during this winter break.

 On this, YU president Lee, Hyo-soo stated, "Vacations are perfect opportunities for students to improve their global mindset and refinement as a global citizen," while adding, "YU will continue to expand support to students so that more students will have the opportunity for global experience-based education."

 Furthermore, to students departing for overseas volunteer work, he stated, "Participating in volunteer programs operated by UNESCO and the IWO together with other university students from around the world will be a very precious experience," and added, "I hope that you take this opportunity to construct a global human network and take care of such network for the rest of your lives. Please take special care for your safety and health and I hope to see you on campus as more developed people after two weeks."