International Focus
Cultivating Globally Competitive Architects
Today, we live in a globalized world where national boundaries are disappearing. Future generation architects must be prepared for a stage that extends well beyond domestic construction market. One of the core focuses of our program is to prepare students to be globally competitive architects. In order to support this objective, the program is structured to equip students with ability to identify opportunities from international architecture trends and to form his or her own architectural discourse. And the program has adopted the following measures to achieve the goal of the program:
Internationally Experienced Faculty and More Courses in English
In order to foster and prepare students to be the next generation global architects, communication in English is a necessity. And the department takes strategic decision to offer the majority of the program in English. In 2015, 61.1% of the Major Required Courses were offered in English which helped students to be immersed in the department’s vision and globalization of architecture. In order to offer the courses in English, the department took an initiative to seek out and scout researchers and practitioners with English proficiency with international experiences. Today, students are exposed to a wide range of concepts and practices from around the world.
Embracing International Students
As a part of university wide policy in 2013, our department welcomed seventeen international students. This was an integral part of the department’s vision, and it helps to reinforce the goal of the department to be more international and prepare the students for the next generation. Having peers from other parts of the world, significantly raised the level of cultural exchange and international exposure. At the same time, the department recognized difficulties for international students to adopt to the program. Hence, in order to support the international students, the department has set in place extra measures to support and guide them through the program. And the department is continuously working with the international students to identify problems and difficulties to make our program a global standard of architectural education.
Real Testimonies from International Students About KUA Program
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| Turaeva Urpiana Bachelor of Architecture Kyrgyzstan “KUA was a great experience! I met many people from all around the world and studied Architecture in its many facets and different points of view. Furthermore, a dynamic megalopolis as Seoul is an advantageous context to reflect on contemporary urban issues and, last but not least, have fun for sure.” |
Ahmed Alsndi Bachelor of Architecture Saudi Arabia “Since i became a tiger of KUA i got a new respective of life that makes me able to spend my time with wide, curious mind to everything.” |
Elle Jie Bachelor of Architecture China “I'm very appreciate that our major have so many great professors that I can really learn things from, and my school life is getting better and better since we are having more and more foreign students.” |
Anastasia Iakovleva B. Arch Russia “Korea University opened up a lot of opportunities for me.” |
Ider Bayaraa Bachelor of Architecture Mongolia “In the beginning, when I chose architecture major, I didn’t think much about it. But more I learn about architecture, it’s more and more interesting and I want to learn more. This school started my love for architecture.” |
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| Alessandro Bugana Master of Architecture Italy “KUA was a great experience! I met many people from all around the world and studied Architecture in its many facets and different points of view. Furthermore, a dynamic megalopolis as Seoul is an advantageous context to reflect on contemporary urban issues and, last but not least, have fun for sure.” |
Nasim Parvaz Master of Architecture Iran “I was lucky to had chance to study i KU, but i had to work and study really hard to survive and learning Korean was the hardest part. Beside all of good and bad memories, i had the understanding and the help of my professors in all level of my study period and it was the best thing for any student to have.” |
Eva Karagkouni Master of Architecture Greece “In KU, I got the chance to attend courses of professors and with students from various countries, resulting in creating deep connections all over the world and getting to know better about architectural education in every nation. There are friendships made during my graduate school years in Korea that I will cherish forever.” |
Hussein Rehab Mohamed Mohamed Master of Architecture Egypt “Besides giving me a chance to meet people from all around the world, I had best things for any student could have: an amazing architecture education and help from my adviser and my courses professors.” |
David Aguilar Bachelor of Architecture Columbia "The combination between a growing global openness and the peculiar Korean sense of things makes KUA the perfect place for curious minds who want to see different perspectives of everything" |