Pukyong National University

PKNU Hosts 2025 PKNU International Summer Session (PKNU-ISS) with 97 Students from 9 Countries

？ Foreign students to explore Korean culture through K-POP dance, cooking, and global academic courses over four weeks

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) officially kicked off the 2025 Pukyong National University International Summer Session (PKNU-ISS) on July 21, welcoming a total of 126 participants―including 97 international students from 23 partner universities across nine countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, China, and Japan, as well as 29 PKNU students.

The program is divided into a four-week session (July 21？August 14) and a two-week session (August 2？August 14), tailored to accommodate the academic schedules and availability of the participating students and institutions. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, PKNU is providing customized support services such as airport pickup from Gimhae International Airport, dormitory accommodation with Korean buddy students, and daily life assistance programs.

Following the opening ceremony on July 21, students participated in introductory classes such as “K-POP Basic Dance” and “Basic Taekwondo” on July 22 at the Nuri Hall Dance Studio. Through demonstrations led by professional instructors, international students had the opportunity to learn foundational movements and engage in hands-on cultural experiences.

Throughout the program, international participants live in dormitories alongside PKNU students, taking part in a wide range of cultural activities including Korean cooking, pottery making, calligraphy, museum visits, and marine leisure sports. In addition to cultural immersion, students also earn academic credit by attending special courses such as Global Cultures, Understanding Korean Culture, and Introduction to International Relations.

Launched in 2009, PKNU-ISS has become one of PKNU’s flagship international exchange programs, attracting 100 to 200 students annually. It offers international students a valuable opportunity to experience the Korean language and culture, while providing Korean students with the chance to enhance their global competencies through meaningful exchange with peers from around the world.

Grace Beatrice Salway, a student from Bangor University in the United Kingdom and a participant in this year’s program, shared her excitement:

“I was especially looking forward to experiencing the culture of Busan, a city known for its ports and the ocean. I’m thrilled to be part of this program. It’s great that experts are guiding us through so many different experiences, and I’m really excited to try fun activities like wearing hanbok.”

As of April 2025, PKNU is recognized as a globally engaged university, with 1,648 international students from 63 countries currently enrolled across its undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, integrated, exchange, research, and dual degree programs. <Pukyong Today>