Now, CBNU is trying to improve students’ foreign language skills and foster global accomplishments by helping students to develop their abilities and capacities through exchange programs with the world’s best universities. Currently, CBNU has made educational exchange agreements with 248 universities and nine institutions in 50 countries to promote academic exchanges and international exchange student programs. Now, 1,418 international students from 41 countries study at CBNU every year. Also, foreign exchange student programs are being conducted during each semester and vacation.
  To introduce CBNU internationally, the university dean, Mr. Kim, and a group composed of CBNU International Exchange staff members and CBNU administrative members visited the U.S. and Latin American countries for 12 days in late May 2019. The U.S. and Latin American countries have few programs with our nation. Through this visit, they made great achievements by signing agreements with universities around the world. They promised to foster global talents and promote international exchanges with those universities.
  The CBNU entourage also participated in NAFSA(National Association of Foreign Student Advisers), which was held from May 28th to May 30th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. They worked hard to initiate international exchanges by making new academic exchange agreements. NAFSA is the world’s largest non-profit organization related to international education and exchanges. NAFSA works hard to maintain the smooth relations between members and to host expositions every year. The CBNU entourage participated in the fair and set up a booth as a member of NAFSA. Through this fair, CBNU made agreements with Regent’s University in London, Victoria University in Canada, Meiji University in Japan, and Indianapolis University in the U.S. Also, they met with 19 other universities from such countries as the United States, Britain, Canada, Spain, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. The CBNU entourage shared information and had a meaningful time interacting with the other universities.
  On June 3rd, the CBNU entourage visited the San Carlos University in Guatemala and made educational agreements that include long and short term student exchanges, faculty exchanges, joint research, and academic seminars. Founded in 1676, San Carlos University is the most significant and oldest national university in Guatemala. San Carlos University operates a Korean language course at the university’s language training institute.
  On June 4th, the CBNU entourage visited Costa Rica National University and Peace University in Costa Rica and finalized contracts to energize academic exchanges through long and short term student exchanges, faculty exchanges, and research exchanges. Also, many students at the Costa Rica National University are interested in Korea. Therefore, the Costa Rica National University representatives will visit our university in the future to discuss practical exchange plans.
  Professor Joanna, from the CBNU Office of International Services, who was a member of the CBNU entourage, said that this visit has great significance. First, the agreements with Guatemala and Costa Rica are the first educational exchanges between them and Korea. CBNU also conclude an agreement with San Carlos University, which is the only national university in Guatemala. Through this visit, exchanges with Latin America are expected to proceed without a hitch.
  Also, CBT asked her about CBNU’s direction in the future while interacting with other universities around the world. Professor Joanna answered that CBNU is trying to focus on contributing to human resource developments by giving more opportunities to more students through exchanges with universities abroad.
  CBNU is trying hard to establish itself in the international community by identifying trends in international exchanges. Its participation in the NAFSA fair and visiting other universities in Latin America raised the status of CBNU and helped it expand its global boundaries. Also, CBNU is getting closer to achieving its goal of creating a global agreement system based not only on British and American universities but also countries from the rest of the world.

By Baek Han-na
backna@cbnu.ac.kr