Kyung Hee University joined KSI in 2015. This university is currently co-managing KSI La Rochelle with the University of La Rochelle in France, and KSI Moscow 2 with the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russia. We met TAE Yoon-Hee, Department Manager of Kyung Hee University Institute of International Education, who is in charge of supporting KSI La Rochelle and KSI Moscow 2, to hear about some of the rewarding moments she experienced as an operational staff member of KSI.

Hello, Department Manager TAE Yoon-Hee. Please introduce yourself briefly and share some of your special tips on managing KSI, especially since Kyung Hee University was selected as one of the outstanding KSI operating institutions.

Hello. I’m with Kyung Hee University Institute of International Education (KHU IIE), and I’m in charge of administrational support, which is necessary for operating KSI La Rochelle and KSI Moscow 2. Our university started a KSI-connected project in 2015, which has continued for 7 years now. We were able to successfully operate the KSI project for such a long time because KHU IIE has been providing Korean language education for the past 30 years.

We focused on sharing our expertise related to our programs, teaching methods, and Korean textbooks with overseas institutes and also tried to adapt these assets to the local environment, which I believe has contributed to the expansion of KSI.

Are there any special moments with students, classes, or events you remember while you have been managing KSI?

KSI La Rochelle was introduced in the 18th issue of King Sejong Institute, our magazine by KSIF, under the theme “Korea Culture Spreading at the Heart of Europe.” As an operating staff member, I remember it as a rewarding experience to be a part of offering an opportunity to learn the Korean culture and language. In particular, when I read the comments from KSI La Rochelle students on their participation in Korean cultural activities, such as cultural lectures and fan dance performances, I felt proud as if I was the one who had prepared those events.

You must be sensing the global enthusiasm towards learning the Korean language since you’ve been operating KSI for 7 years since 2015. If you have any goals that you’ve developed as an operational staff member of KSI, little Korea in the world, please share them with us.

I’d like KSI La Rochelle and Moscow 2 to join various KSIF projects to introduce the Korean culture and language to more people abroad and give them a chance to experience the Korean language.

In particular, I’m planning to offer KSI La Rochelle some of the human/physical resources of IIE so that they can proceed with different projects. KSI Moscow 2 is in its 3rd year, so I will also cooperate with them so they can be even more invigorated. I hope that KSI continues to evolve, across overseas locations and Korean institutes alike.

Kim Jung Sup (Dean of the Institute of International Education of Kyung Hee University) is being awarded Certificate of Merit to outstanding KSI operating institutions in 2022.