Academics
The reason?
“They were teaching and learning on opposite sides of the globe,” said Associate Professor Sang-Heui Lee of PSU’s Kelce College of Business. “We had to adjust because of the time differences, but usually, students in Korea are night owls – they prefer it!”
For two weeks, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Kansas time, and from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. South Korean time, 40 students in Seoul attended classes at Pittsburg State University — from 6,000 miles away — as part of the 4th Annual SeoulTech Summer Global Management Camp.
Along with Lee, faculty in the Kelce College of Business, with support from the PSU Intensive English Program and the PSU Office of International Programs and Services, helped South Korean students experience the American classroom.
Short lectures in academic topics were combined with lessons in American culture.
The students now have the opportunity to transfer to PSU to complete a dual degree from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and PSU through a 2+2 agreement.
Paige Cortes and Liddia Graves taught sessions on behalf of the PSU Intensive English Program. Other faculty included Assistant Professor of Accounting Gail Yarick, Assistant Professor of Economics Alex Binder, and Associate Professor of Accounting Mary Jo Goedeke.
“IEP loves the opportunity to engage with students anywhere in the world,” Cortes said. “In addition to teaching English, we try to introduce them to the wealth of courses, services, and activities offered at PSU. And every online student we teach knows ‘Once a Gorilla. Always a Gorilla!’.”
A closing ceremony to celebrate the completion of the camp featured PSU Provost Howard Smith.
“This just gives them a little taste,” Lee said. “Many of them want to have an American education, and this shows them what it’s all about.”
As part of the program, Lee will teach in Seoul later this summer, and future distance learning opportunities are being discussed with other partnering universities.
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