Chinese Community Research and Life in POSTECH
Chinese Community Research and Life in POSTECH
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  • 승인 2010.11.17 17:50
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As one of the most famous universities in South Korea, POSTECH is attracting more and more Chinese brilliant students and scholars to join this global campus. Now, the Chinese community is becoming one of the biggest foreign communities in POSTECH. On October 30th 2009, POSTECH established its first overseas representative office in Beijing, which will stimulate its international development by taking in outstanding students abroad. Since then, more and more Chinese scholars are coming to POSTECH to conduct their research programs.

Among these students, almost half of them, about 49%, are pursuing their graduate study, including Master and PHD programs.  Due to consummate experimental infrastructure, Chinese students can concentrate on their research. They are involved in different majors which are beneficial to our society’s development. Chinese scholars, who make up 34% of the Chinese community, include visiting professors, who are from famous Chinese educational institutions. They are cooperating with POSTECH professors and researchers to finish some important projects. Others are carrying out their post-doctoral research in POSTECH. In this way, both Korean scholars and Chinese scholars can come up with innovative research achievements.

In addition to its regular study program, POSTECH has launched exchange programs with famous Chinese universities, like Qinghua University and Peking University. Every semester, POSTECH will accept a lot of Chinese students from 13 Chinese Universities. Through this program, Chinese students can have a better understanding of POSTECH and Korea. What is more, this summer POSTECH has started a new international program called the “Internship Program”, and 28 Chinese undergraduate and graduate students participated in this new program. They were working in different labs to gain practical experience concerned about their majors. Even though these are short-term programs, they are not only good opportunities for Chinese students to acquire global vision, but also good chances for Korean students to communicate with Chinese students about different aspects to obtain good understanding of China. After these programs, a lot of Chinese students have shown their interest in applying to POSTECH to continue their study.

In addition to research atmosphere, Chinese students also have a good casual life in POSTECH. Every Postechian can get a comfortable living situation including a neat dormitory, and full scholarship which can support students with their life and study. Before arriving in Korea, POSTECH will supply free round trip international tickets to international students in their first year. During regular study time, the International Relations Office will arrange a lot of interesting activities for international students to help them get used to Korean life. In order to help international students adapt to Korean, POSTECH supplies free Korean language courses to students who are from other countries. These steps have helped Chinese students live in a comfortable circumstance.

Even though we can feel good care from POSTECH, we still feel something uncomfortable in different aspects. First, it’s not convenient for foreign students to get a cell phone, especially for students and scholars who only stay here for a short term. These days, POSTECH is delivering Galaxy S. As for foreign students, we cannot get that cell phone the same as domestic students due to telecom policies. Second, some students and scholars are complaining that food in POSTECH is not suitable, especially people who are from the north of China. It’s too spicy for them. Third, the signs and posts on POVIS are still not written in both Korean and English, especially some activities which are announced on POVIS. It’s not easy to make every Chinese student know what is held in POSTECH. However, POSTECH has made great efforts to make the university more global. The Chinese community is willing to break through these obstacles with POSTECH together, making good future for POSTECH.

Zhang Min (IME)