Spring Break
S. Korea trip offers cultural experience
Aubra Whitten
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: News
Forty Mississippi State University students will have the opportunity to travel to South Korea this summer to tour technology centers, participate in seminars, learn at a university and experience Korean culture.
J.P. Shim, professor of management information systems, said 30 undergraduate students of any discipline and 10 graduate students from engineering and business will be selected to go on the trip.
Shim, who also serves as director of the Korea Study Tour, is a native of South Korea. He has been at MSU for 24 years and has been teaching in the United States for more than 30 years.
Shim said the first Korea Study Tour came about last year as part of MSU's international initiative.
In Mississippi, students are not used to the large cities and populations like South Korea has, Shim said, noting that Seoul has a population of more than 10 million and South Korea has a population of more than 46 million.
"Many students here were born in Mississippi and raised in Mississippi; they have not been outside the country," he said. "It provides a global experience."
Shim said a global perspective is vital for leaders.
"Without understanding global society, it is impossible to be a leader," he said.
After last year's tour, the university received positive feedback from South Korea, Shim said.
"The U.S. Embassy in South Korea said that Mississippi State is one of the universities with the most strengthened international programs," he said.
Shim said he hopes to eventually expand the trip to roughly two weeks in South Korea and five days in Japan. This year's trip will be 11 days in South Korea instead of last year's 10-day trip, Shim said.
During the first three days of the trip, students will tour South Korean businesses and industry centers.
Students will visit the Seoul Tower and participate in an information communication technology seminar at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
J.P. Shim, professor of management information systems, said 30 undergraduate students of any discipline and 10 graduate students from engineering and business will be selected to go on the trip.
Shim, who also serves as director of the Korea Study Tour, is a native of South Korea. He has been at MSU for 24 years and has been teaching in the United States for more than 30 years.
Shim said the first Korea Study Tour came about last year as part of MSU's international initiative.
In Mississippi, students are not used to the large cities and populations like South Korea has, Shim said, noting that Seoul has a population of more than 10 million and South Korea has a population of more than 46 million.
"Many students here were born in Mississippi and raised in Mississippi; they have not been outside the country," he said. "It provides a global experience."
Shim said a global perspective is vital for leaders.
"Without understanding global society, it is impossible to be a leader," he said.
After last year's tour, the university received positive feedback from South Korea, Shim said.
"The U.S. Embassy in South Korea said that Mississippi State is one of the universities with the most strengthened international programs," he said.
Shim said he hopes to eventually expand the trip to roughly two weeks in South Korea and five days in Japan. This year's trip will be 11 days in South Korea instead of last year's 10-day trip, Shim said.
During the first three days of the trip, students will tour South Korean businesses and industry centers.
Students will visit the Seoul Tower and participate in an information communication technology seminar at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
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