- 2023 YISS, an Unforgettable Summer for College Students around the World August 02, 2023
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Meet Students Participating in 2023 Yonsei International Summer School
In summer, students from prestigious universities from all over the world gather in Baekyang-ro. Our university's YISS (Yonsei International Summer School) was first opened in Korea in 1985 and has continued for 38 years. College students worldwide enjoy various classes such as art and humanities, Korean, business and economy, East Asian history, DMZ Tour, Taekwondo One-Day Class, Seoul City Tour, and K-POP Dance Class for four to six weeks. This post contains the 2023 Yonsei International Summer School site, a small global village full of youth and intelligence.
YISS, that made my summer shine
YISS program allows foreign university students to earn credits by taking classes at our university during summer vacation. It is considered an excellent program to promote Yonsei and Korea to the world by providing various courses and experience programs so that foreign university students can experience Korea and grow into citizens who serve the world.
YISS continues to break the record with 1,400 students in 2018, 1,500 in 2019, and 1,700 students participating in 2022, the first face-to-face meeting in three years. In 2021, when COVID-19 blocked the border, it switched to full online, and about 1,000 students from 40 countries participated. This year, about 2,100 students from 51 countries participated, breaking the record number of participants again, the largest among domestic universities.
The secret of YISS's steady popularity, which leads the international summer school representing Korea, is the composition of programs and high-quality education for rich experience. The high satisfaction of students who participated in YISS leads to word of mouth.
"I've always wanted to study in Korea, but I got to participate this time with the strong recommendation of a friend who participated in YISS. I couldn't help but apply because I heard him say it was the best choice of his life (laughs). The location of Sinchon Campus, which is convenient for transportation, was also a great attraction. After coming here and experiencing it in person, I'm sure it was a choice without regret. Every moment I experienced at YISS was precious, but the Korean class was the most memorable. Thanks to the pleasant professor, class time passed so fast that the class ended in a blink. I knew a little Korean, but thanks to the professor, I could learn new words quickly."
Sarah Kim(Northwestern University)
In YISS, teachers from leading overseas universities and our university will give about 100 lectures in English in a total of seven fields (art and humanities, Korean studies, business and economy, sociology, Korean, East Asian history, natural science, and technology). Although it is a special summer program, high-quality lectures and high-quality curricula like prestigious private schools are the reasons why students around the world choose our university without hesitation.
"As Yonsei University's international summer school is famous for its high-quality education, I think it has the best reviews among programs that can be studied in Korea."Emma Arreola Tinajero(De Anza College)
In particular, YISS is also eye-catching because it can experience an internship in Seoul. About 70 students participated in the internship program this year. It was divided into research and corporate internships. It gained social experience at about 20 internship participating organizations, including in-school major research labs, internal and external venture companies, the Korea Immigration Foundation, Yonsei University Health System, and Kakao Style. Students who worked as interns at our university's Office of International Affairs and participated directly from event planning to operation shared their experiences with their eyes sparkling.
"I interned at Yonsei University's Office of International Affairs through YISS. When I started my internship, I shared ideas with my friends about what I wanted to do in Korea. When I realized that I had come to Korea, everyone was excited about the college life in Korea that I would experience at Yonsei University. I must have been nervous and tired because it was my first day, but as soon as I finished my seven-hour work, I went straight to Hongdae without a break and burned my youth (laugh)."Taylor Alphonso(American University)
"My major is 'Korean literature, culture, and business administration', so I applied for an internship because it was important to experience Korean culture in person. The video editing and the preparation of the 4-week graduation ceremony pop-up event are the most memorable among the internship activities. Video editing is my hobby, but I was able to learn and grow new editing skills through internship activities. While preparing for the graduation pop-up event, I came up with ideas that fit the participants and had a valuable experience in realizing them. The campus of Yonsei University was so beautiful that it was a great pleasure to explore new buildings."
Emma Arreola Tinajero(De Anza College)
The YISS Pop-Up event prepared by the students themselves received great responses for interactive content such as wearing graduation gowns and operating photo booths, conducting on-site voting for Idols of Yonsey, and decorating Fairwell banners.
A time full of new encounters and precious experiences
Students of different races, majors, and backgrounds gathered from all over the world expressed gratitude for their unforgettable experiences by expanding their academic and cultural horizons at YISS by becoming one with the "YONSEI spirit."
"I became incredibly close to the fellow interns I worked with. He keeps telling me to meet him even when we go back to America. Thanks to YISS, I could meet new people and make precious friends. After class with my friends, I will never forget the time when I enjoyed coffee and relaxation at Starbucks with Mahogany in the basement of Baekyang Nuri.
Taylor Alphonso(American University)
"I've been looking forward to Taekwondo experience the most since I applied for YISS. It excites me to imagine I can learn Taekwondo in the country where it started. The instructor led everyone to participate regardless of their athletic ability, so even those learning Taekwondo for the first time could easily follow along. It was beneficial to be with a lecturer who understood how to teach Taekwondo to foreigners properly."
Emma Arreola Tinajero(De Anza College)
"Yonsei University's student cafeteria food is really delicious. Everything I eat off campus is delicious, so I'm constantly eating it (laughs). Among the special activities, I remember the Seoul city tour, DMZ, and K-pop dance lessons. I will never forget the experience of seeing different scenery and taking tours and lessons that I couldn't do anywhere else."
Jasmine Yu(University of California, Berkeley)
World University Students' Bucket List, YISS
Students who have stepped on Korean soil with YISS are achieving their bucket lists. Students enjoying their own small happiness agreed that thanks to YISS, they could fully enjoy their dream of living in Korea and exploring Seoul.
"I want to achieve my bucket list, such as going to karaoke with my friends and going to the Starfield Library for the rest of my time. When I go back home, I think I will be proud of myself for studying hard even in Korea far away."Emma Arreola Tinajero(De Anza College)
"I want to achieve my bucket list for the rest of my time in Korea. One of them is to go to an almond store in Myeongdong and taste all the flavors (laughs). If there are students who are worried about YISS, please come. Especially if you like Korea and want to study in Korea, take advantage of a good opportunity to study at a prestigious university. Even if you can't speak Korean, there are so many things you can get from YISS, so don't hesitate to participate."
Sarah Kim(Northwestern University)
"YISS is an easy and effective way for foreign college students to come to Korea, take classes, and experience culture. Even if you visit Korea for the first time, YISS will help all students adapt and explore well in Seoul and Korea. I look forward to seeing you participating in YISS next year."
Taylor Alphonso(American University)
The faces of the students, who had a sweet time in Korea like a midsummer night's dream, were filled with smiles. Students who met new people and cultures through YISS said in one voice, "No one should miss the opportunity of YISS." We support students who will lead the broader world with precious experiences they met at our university.
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