Resurreccion, Ting in Korea for summer school

BA Lingg majors Jñana Marie Resurreccion (Plan C- Korean) and Jasmine Ting (Plan C – Korean) are currently in Korea to participate in the 2025 Yonsei International Summer School (YISS), a program that includes “courses from the arts, culture, and humanities while also offering cutting-edge classes in management and economics, global issues, history, social sciences, and science and technology.” It is offered by Yonsei University, and runs from 30 June to 23 July 2025. Read on to know more about their participation!

What subjects are you taking under this summer program?

Yana: I am currently taking a 4-week course on K-Art in the Modern and Contemporary Era under Instructor Erin Chon.

Jas: I’m currently enrolled in the beginner Korean class for the summer program.

What do you anticipate from the program?

Yana: As a BA Linguistics student from the University of the Philippines who has taken Korean language classes for three years, I look forward to immersing myself in Korean daily life and culture through the Yonsei International Summer School (YISS). Beyond language, I hope that I would deepen my understanding of Korea through a course that explores Korean contemporary visual art and its role in Korean society. More than studying, I hope to engage with international peers. I view this opportunity as an avenue to be a more culturally sensitive citizen of the globalized world. Ultimately, I am here to practice my Korean speaking skills as I go about my day to day life as I study in the bustling city of Seoul.

Jas: Since I’ve completed the first year of Korean already, I’m using this opportunity to review and strengthen what I’ve learned so far. More than that, I’m excited to step outside the classroom and actively use Korean in real-life settings to improve my confidence and fluency.

What are your plans for once you come back?

Yana: Upon returning to the Philippines, my next step is to document the experience and share it to others interested in pursuing similar international opportunities. In the coming year, I plan to take the TOPIK to assess my skills holistically and officially. Further, I will use what I have gained from the summer program for potential research on Korean linguistics, art and society in relation to the Philippines.

Jas: As a linguistics major, I see this experience as an important step in developing my practical language abilities. After I return, I plan to continue studying Korean more intensively, possibly preparing for the TOPIK exam, and exploring how my Korean studies can complement my interests in linguistics. 
I also hope to give back by sharing my experience with fellow students who are interested in summer language programs. Whether that’s through organizing an informal info session or offering advice one-on-one, I’d love to encourage others to take advantage of similar opportunities.

Good luck, Yana and Jas!