ULM recognized eight students from Hanbat National in South Korea this past week.

The students are enrolled in a study abroad/internship program for seven weeks to take courses in English and meet employers from the Monroe area.

Kioh Kim, assistant professor for the College of Education and Human Development, developed this program last year for South Korean students.

Kim said he feels that this is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the culture in the United States and build their resume for potential employers in Korea.

“I think this is a great way for the students to enhance their English and diversity. I am also thrilled that while they can learn about our culture, we can learn about theirs,” said senior toxicology major Kwogie Ly.

The first four weeks of the program will consist of the students taking two English courses as a second language at ULM.

The last three weeks in Monroe will give students the chance to meet with companies such as AT&T, CenturyLink, Denmon Engineering and the City of Monroe to finish their internships.

“I’m very thankful for this program and to learn about the United States,” said Chloe Smith, a senior English major from South Korea. “My favorite thing about the south is the hospitality and manners here. I am blessed that Hanbat National gave me this opportunity.”

Shin is one of the eight students selected from Hanbat National to attend the program here at ULM.

President Nick Bruno said the program accounts for just part of the increasing number of international students at ULM.

“It is important these students understand our culture, and it is important we understand theirs,” said Bruno.

Kim explains that their grade point average and a special test score narrow students down. Most of the students are engineering majors and a few study liberal arts.

“I feel that since the program has worked for the second year in a row that speaks volumes about how well the program works,” said Dorothy Schween, head of Curriculum, Instruction and Leadership at ULM. “Because of the size of our university, I believe that we can offer them a more personal experience than a bigger college.”

This is the second year ULM has hosted students from Hanbat.