Auburn University Hosts the Alabama-Korea Educational Exchange Program Feb. 8

The Auburn University Office of International Programs will host a talented group of 25 Korean high school students as part of a comprehensive cultural and leadership development program on Feb. 8.

The students, selected by the government of the Gyeongsang province in Korea, will experience hands-on activities in the Colleges of Engineering; Agriculture; and Architecture, Design and Construction.

"We're honored to have the opportunity to showcase Auburn University to these top Korean students," said Jennifer Mason, director of international initiatives at Auburn. "We hope this exposure to everything our region and our university can offer will inspire these students—and their friends and families—to consider Alabama as a prime destination for higher education."

The Alabama-Korea Educational Exchange Program, or A-KEEP, was founded in 2012 to give high school students from Alabama and Korea an opportunity to experience each other's cultures in authentic environments. During their 10-day stay in Alabama, the students will tour the Capitol, visit Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, experience Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and learn about the Civil Rights Movement at the Rosa Parks Museum. The first group of Alabama exchange students visited Korea for a similar program last year.

Auburn University continues to develop innovative partnerships with the Korean community at home and abroad through programs such the Auburn-Keimyung University Korea Center and initiatives with the automotive manufacturing industry.

"Auburn's relationships within the Korean community create so many mutually beneficial opportunities not only for university and industry, but for our entire state and region," said Andrew Gillespie, assistant provost for international programs. "We're dedicated to keeping these doors open and finding new, creative ways to engage with our existing and potential partners in the Korean community."

For more information about Auburn's international programs, please visit www.auburn.edu/international.