Twelve students and two faculty members traveled more than 6,000 miles to experience life at TCU.

Students from Keimyung University (KMU) and Sookmyung Women’s University (SMU) spent 10 days exploring Fort Worth and learning about TCU’s Strategic Communication program.

“Two years ago TCU and SMU created a partnership exchange student program,” said Professor Jong-Hyuok Jung, TCU’s Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication. “There were eight students who visited TCU.”

The students were given the opportunity to sit in on classes and explore the campus. This is the second year of the program.

“The students were very impressed with the southern hospitality, generous treatment, size of the campus and facilities, and the BBQ,” said Ohyoon Kwon, KMU’s Assistant Professor of Advertising and Public Relations.

Out of the eight students that attended the first exchange, seven of the students had never been to the United States before. This program provided them with the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the United States.

“TCU’s Strategic Communication program is very similar to KMU’s,” said Jang Ho Moon, SMU’s Associate Professor of Communications. “One difference was how small the class sizes are here.”

The student to faculty ratio at TCU is 13:1, while it is closer to 40:1 at KMU.

Students at TCU are provided with the opportunity to hear students from South Korea speak about their experiences. In the summer of 2018, TCU students will have the chance to visit other countries themselves.

“There is a study abroad program being created for next year where TCU students will get to spend two weeks traveling to Seoul and Singapore and visiting SMU,” Jung said.

The three universities have created a well-standing relationship that they hope will continue for many years to come.

“These two universities are very appreciative of Jong-Hyuok and the faculty here,” Kwon said. “We are really thankful to have this opportunity.”