The University of Seoul (UOS) recently launched the Global Ambassador, GLOU, in the fall semester of 2023. The UOS Times conducted an interview with GLOU and heard its members’ stories. Let’s learn more about GLOU!

Q1. Please introduce GLOU briefly.

We are the Global Ambassador of UOS consisting of international students working as ambassadors under the Institute of International Cooperation and Education. GLOU is a combination of Global, Glow, and You, meaning that we work together for the glowing campus life of the students who are making UOS more global. It is made up of three teams: presidency, design, and content.

Q2. What are the main activities of GLOU and who is its main target group?

We are carrying out various tasks such as university briefing sessions, answering admission-related inquiries, creating promotional content on social media, and campus tours in several languages (Japanese, Chinese, English, Kazakhstan, and Russian). These are mainly for international students who want to enter universities in South Korea.

Q3. What are the differences between Irumi and the UOS Ambassadors?

One of the most distinct points is that we can view UOS from the perspectives of international people since GLOU is composed of students of various nationalities. Additionally, we are planning to add subtitles in as many diverse languages as possible to our videos that will be uploaded in the future, given that our main target groups are not only domestic students but also international students around the world. Moreover, most of our activities are being made available in various languages and this is different from Irumi who provides information only in Korean for domestic students. 

Q4. As an ambassador, what do you think is the proudest part of UOS?

There are a lot. In particular, there is a large number of international students in UOS from various backgrounds compared to other universities in South Korea. We can fully feel the pressure and worries international students may have about attending a foreign university. However, UOS offers diverse programs for them such as SeoulMate and tutoring activities as well as support from the Institute of International Cooperation and Education, which makes their campus life more comfortable and worthwhile. 

Q5. Do you have any memorable episodes or fulfilling moments with regard to GLOU?

It seems like an ordinary thing to work as an ambassador in GLOU with students from other countries communicating in Korean. Nevertheless, it is a meaningful and memorable experience in terms of being able to connect with various people through Korean. On top of that, it would be gratifying if students from the high schools we visited and gave briefing sessions enter UOS. We are looking forward to meeting them at UOS in the near future!

Q6. Share your experiences as an international student in UOS if you have any!

We found that watching K-POP stars performing at the university’s festival is something totally new. Additionally, it is always nice to see students from the same country in liberal arts classes.

Q7. What is your aspiration or expectation as one of the first members of GLOU?

As we are the first Global Ambassadors under the name of GLOU, we want to build a good foundation. We will do our best to reach out to as many people around the world as possible to spread appealing points of UOS and help them get an admission to UOS in the future. Thank you.

Lee Hyang-gi 
lhg0523@uos.ac.kr