On October 12, 2022, the launching ceremony for the LearnUs Global Semester Program, a newly developed study abroad program established between ICU and its exchange partner, Underwood International College (UIC) of Yonsei University, was held at Yonsei University International Campus (Songdo, Korea).　In addition to the 20 students participating in the program, the ceremony was attended from Yonsei University by President Seoung Hwan Suh, Senior Vice President for Administration and Development Donghoon Kim, Senior Vice President for President of International Campus Jinwoo Lee, and Vice President for International Academic Exchange Heejun Park, and from ICU by Vice President for International Academic Exchange Mark Williams, ICU trustee Megumi Tsuburaya, and Director of the International Office Yumiko Shimazaki. A donor for this program was also in attendance.

The LearnUs Global Semester Program is a new study abroad program that creatively utilizes LearnUs, a new e-learning platform developed and launched by Yonsei University during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is designed to innovatively expand student learning. The study period of the program is divided into two halves with students moving between Japan and Korea halfway through the program; depending on their location at any particular moment, students take their classes online or in-person. Professors from both Yonsei UIC and ICU are teaching four courses to 10 students from each university, 20 students in total, on the theme of "Reconciliation: Towards a New Generation of Japan- South Korea Relations" during the fall term of 2022. A fifth omnibus course features a weekly guest lecture offered by a senior practitioner or academic working in the field of reconciliation.

The program has a generous donor, Youn Jae Lee, who came to Japan in 1973 at the age of 25 to study through an exchange agreement between Yonsei University and ICU. He said, "One year at ICU changed my life," and smiled as he unfolded photos from that time and recalled that, after almost 50 years of a business career, he was finally able to fulfill his long-cherished desire to give back to Yonsei University and ICU, to assist in the development of their educational programs. He shared with us what it was like to study abroad back then; how his father gave him $100 at the start of his study abroad program, how he had to work part-time at ICU's gakki (on-campus dining hall) washing dishes for two hours every weekday in return for free meals and had supported himself to be able to study as an international student at ICU. He reflected on how that hard study period in an international environment at ICU had nurtured him, noting that today's students do not have to go through such hardships. But it is his sincere wish that the current group of students will make full use of the donated funds, learn well and interact well through classes and fieldwork. He now wishes to see this program grow into an international study abroad program that transcends both universities and includes students from other countries.

Student voices

Clara Seoyoung Kim, 1st year student, Yonsei University, major undeclared

"The LearnUs Global Semester Program has gifted me with a life-long memory. The friends, experiences and intellectual challenges from this program have enabled me to grow both socially and intellectually. In class, we read a lot of academic articles on various topics ranging from history, literature and international relations. Being able to discuss these topics with Japanese and Korean students adds more depth to our discussion, so I always learn the most from other students. Meeting the ICU students in person has been the highlight of this program. Despite the geographical and language barrier, we have become a tight cohort of lifelong friends. I thank everyone who made this program possible from the bottom of my heart. I will truly remember this experience for life."

Karen Makino, 2nd year student, ICU, Major: Physics (prospective)

"It has been a month and a half since the LearnUs program began and about a week since I arrived in Korea, and I feel somewhat like my high school self again, taking classes together in a small class of 20 students, eating the same meals, going out to play, and going on field trips. At the same time, however, we also have in-depth discussions about Japan-Korea relations and, as we spend more and more time seriously confronting issues of opposing governments, history, and memory, we are also made aware of the divide between the two countries, which seems to contradict the close relationship between our student cohorts. With more and more group projects to be done in parallel with classes, I am sure that we will become even busier toward the end of the term. I am very much looking forward to seeing what paths, answers, or further questions we will reach in this short semester. "