Keimyung University. The students are yelling, “Question!” In the class, the mood is alive with laughter. It is the Cross-Cultural Awareness Program (CCAP).
The CCAP is a program in which Korean Interpretation Volunteers (KIVs) and Culture Exchange Volunteers (CEVs) introduce a diversity of cultures from around the world to Korean youth. They are visiting elementary, middle, and high schools, and holding culture classes for understanding other countries and their cultures. It is organized by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and supported by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.On November 3, 2005, Keimyung University was selected to cooperate in the CCAP (Check “Gazette” No. 119 if you want to know more specific information about this). The CCAP is the first in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk area. Last semester, CEVs and KIVs visited five schools in Daegu and two schools in the Gyeongbuk area. They have a preparation period for 15 days before the real class. During this period, KIVs and CEVs meet and consult about all things related to their class. The contents of their class are the introduction of CEVs’ countries. They use various ways to excite the students. Some teams used PowerPoint for visual effect. Other teams had time to learn about traditional tea, music, and games.
After the activities last semester, the Office of International Affairs pointed out the parts which were well done or had to be improved. Last semester, active and visual classes were insufficient. More active and visual classes can help attract students’ interest more. However, the classes contributed to the cross-cultural awareness of the local community. In addition, the response of the students was good. The CCAP was an opportunity for CEVs to play a role as nongovernmental diplomats between their counties and Korea. However, the Office of International Affairs pointed out, it needs to be improved because the CCAP has almost no way to introduce our culture to CEVs.The Office of International Affairs advertised for CEVs and had a test of Korean students to select KIVs last semester. The Office of International Affairs collected 16 CEVs among the exchange students in Keimyung University and selected 31 Keimyung students from 68 applicants for KIVs. The KIVs’ number was twice the CEVs number because KIVs have to match their time to the schedule of the CEVs and the school. The test for KIVs was two interviews: one was a test to appraise if applicants could interpret a foreign language; the other was a common interview in Korean. The examiners were Korean professors and foreign professors. They tested applicants’ passion for CCAP, sociability as cultural intermediaries, and quality as representatives of Keimyung University. Last semester, there were twenty one English KIVs, four Japanese KIVs, five Chinese KIVs, and one Russian KIV.
Cooperating in the CCAP as a university, not a public association is a singular case in this country. The Office of International Affairs already had essential duties in the university, and for that reason there was a little inconvenience. However, the supply of human resources was convenient because Keimyung University has exchange students who come from various countries, while other areas supplied only foreign workers: most of the foreign workers have the same nationality; therefore, it can lead to a limit of CEVs’ nationality. The Office of International Affairs will select CEVs and KIVs not only in Keimyung but also in Daegu and the Gyeongbuk area. Among the present members, the people who want to serve again as CEVs and KIVs next year must reapply for the CCAP. CEVs and KIVs will receive a certificate expressing the number of classes which they hold at the end of this year.The CCAP has many good points. School students can have open minds about other cultures and learn their characteristics and respect for every human. It can give CEVs the opportunity to experience and understand Korean culture and society. CEVs can transmit their culture to Koreans and make a favorable impression on Koreans. In addition, KIVs can get not only certification but also worthwhile experience as volunteers and an improvement of their interpretation ability.
If you want to have a unique experience in off campus activities, volunteering for the CCAP will be useful to you.
