On March 27, the Global Lounge and the Foreign Language Group Study Programs of the University of Seoul (UOS) commenced their operations for the new semester. In addition, the Foreign Language Group Study Program, which has operated only online in the wake of the COVID-19, has resumed face-to-face study in combination with online study.

   The Global Lounge is a space dedicated to studying foreign languages for students of UOS. In the Global Lounge Operation Program, which is different from the Foreign Language Group Study Program, students can freely practice speaking in various foreign languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese. It is located on the first floor of Cheonnong Hall and is open on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students can enjoy language exchange, cultural communication, and various games with Global Lounge staff without any pre-registration.

   Apart from the Global Lounge Operation Program, the Foreign Language Group Study Program held in the Global Lounge focuses on learning a language by participating in a small study group consisting of foreign exchange students and Korean students of UOS. The program is categorized into Topic Discussion and Foreign Language Study, both of which are conducted once a week for an hour. Topic Discussion is held only in English on certain topics such as culture, travel, and job hunting, led by a tutor, exchange student, who can speak English regardless of nationality. For Foreign Language Study, it is available in nine languages, including German, Russian, Japanese, and Vietnamese this semester. It is led by exchange students who are native to a language. To ensure that as many students as possible can participate in  the programs, students are allowed to join only one study group per person both in offline and online study groups combined.

    It has been five weeks since the programs commenced, and there are around two students visiting the Global Lounge per hour on average. They openly talk about their interests, acquaint themselves with each other, and play board games together. Meanwhile, the Foreign Language Group Study Program already completed recruiting new members in March, and the study groups, arranged by the proficiency levels of the members, are being operated. As the Global Lounge programs went back to the offline mode, as it was before the spread of COVID-19, and started normal operations after three years, students are now eagerly participating in language exchange. The Global Lounge is helping UOS members develop their language skills and cultural understanding.

   The two Global Lounge Programs operated by the Institute of International Cooperation and Education are expected to help students enhance their skills in various foreign languages in addition to English through periodic and autonomous learning. Furthermore, they provide an opportunity to students to promote their understanding of each other’s culture, interact with students from various countries across the world.

   For this semester, the Global Lounge opens until June 9, and the Foreign Language Group Study Program runs until June 2. Students can make meaningful experiences by spending time with exchange students from various countries in different languages in the Global Lounge. The UOS Times strongly recommends you to visit the Global Lounge and experience the wider world!