'Students dream about a job in Korea': AUT's student president on Korea-Uzbekistan ties

K-campus

Published: 04 Apr. 2024, 14:08 Updated: 04 Apr. 2024, 14:13

'Students dream about a job in Korea': AUT's student president on Korea-Uzbekistan ties

Students participating in the AUT International Winter School pose for a photo with their certificates [AJOU UNIVERSITY]

As Ajou University endeavors to bridge the gap between its students in Korea and Uzbekistan, meticulous event planning remains imperative.

The AUT International Winter School (AIWS) program, hosted at Ajou University in Tashkent (AUT) from Jan. 8 to 12, exemplified one such event.

A cohort of 58 students from Ajou University traveled to AUT, participating in group projects, visiting historical sites in Uzbekistan and immersing themselves in the country's rich culture. Buddies — AUT students who aided Ajou University students during the winter school — provided another avenue for student collaboration.

Student reporters from Ajou University's newspaper, The Ajou Globe, also journeyed to AUT to cover the winter school program. During their visit, the team interviewed Uktamov Shahboz, president of AUT's Ajou Student Government Association, to gain insights into the program's preparation and memorable experiences.

The following are excerpts of the interview, edited for clarity and length.

Q. What did the Ajou Student Government Association focus on when preparing for the winter school, and what proved most challenging?

A. For about six months, we focused on planning a warm welcome orientation session, organizing comfortable accommodation, meals and transportation, designing a well-structured schedule with lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions to provide a rich learning experience and providing support and services [through buddies] 24/7. Nevertheless, we assume that the challenges were cultural barriers. [Our main question was] "How do we deliver a clear image of our culture to students without discomforting them?”

How were the buddies chosen?

Choosing buddies for AIWS 2024 was a crucial task. We sought buddies who were responsible and capable of handling any problems during the program, with great communication skills and openness, language proficiency [in Korean or English] and [those that are] teamwork-oriented. Buddies also underwent a short training period to familiarize themselves with the program, roles and responsibilities and emergency procedures.

Do you have any interesting or memorable episodes during AIWS 2024?

The most memorable moment was going to Samarkand. The students were amazed by its historical and ancient architecture and took numerous photos of the preserved cultural heritages. They also purchased many handmade souvenirs, which helped them extensively experience Uzbek culture.

Moreover, the last memorable experience involved cooking a popular national meal, palov, at the Choyxona Restaurant. Palov contains beef, carrots and beans, similar to Korean fried rice, but with more oil. It was a deep cultural immersion.

AIWS 2024 was an incredible opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds, languages and cultures to come together and share their unique experiences. Were there any moments that inspired you?

There were numerous moments of cross-cultural friendships with Korean students from various backgrounds and insights. Firstly, we shared different perspectives through participating in activities, discussions and teamwork — it was truly amazing. Second, Korean students were open to new activities. Their passion for these activities motivates us to organize similar events in the next winter or summer school programs. Finally, discussing and comparing our education systems and other aspects made us dream about continuing our education in Korea.

Is there anything you were disappointed about during AIWS 2024 or anything you want to improve next time?

We are delighted with the overall progress of our plan, but during our short stay in Tashkent, exploring additional culturally significant destinations was difficult. Moreover, we noticed that the students were physically exhausted due to the tight schedule, raising concerns about their stamina and fatigue levels. We understand the importance of maintaining their well-being while participating in exciting activities. Hence, an extended period for our future programs will be helpful to maintain the balance between activities and the overall happiness of our participants.

There were many activities related to Uzbek tradition such as pottery art, wood carving and handcrafted embroidery, known as suzane. Are there many activities on campus to preserve Uzbek tradition and identity?

Within our campus, we hold many events related to the Uzbek background and history, such as singing national songs or playing national musical instruments such as doira and sato. Also, there is a dance club that also prepares and performs Uzbek traditional dances. On Feb. 9, AUT commemorated the memory of the great Uzbek poet and philosopher Alisher Navoi, and some ladies were dressed in Uzbek national dresses, meeting our guests at the gate.

During AIWS 2024, we heard that a lot of students at AUT are considering getting a job abroad. Please tell us why.

That is right, AUT students dream about getting a job in Korea. The first key point is professional development. Korea is well known for its robust economy and considered to be a hub of innovations and advanced technologies. That makes students majoring in engineering, architecture and IT fields attracted specifically to this country. Moreover, another reason is getting international working experience, and a chance to work for multinational companies or engage in international businesses.

Is there anything you would like to say to the Korean students who participated in AIWS 2024?

It was an unforgettable journey during the six days for us. We express our appreciation to the students for this valuable experience. As you immerse yourself in this journey, we hope you gain inspiration and new insights while experiencing personal growth and cultural exploration.

This article has been contributed by Kim Da-hye, Noh Hyun-jin and Min Ji-soo of The Ajou Globe, an English-language publication from Ajou University.