Students enrolled in the third-year Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) political science course on the politics of youth and old age depart Toronto on the third weekend of May to spend a month in Seoul, South Korea. The course is one of 17 summer study abroad courses offered this year by the University, allowing students to spend several weeks in a location outside of Canada.
The students will spend some of their time in Seoul studying at Yonsei University, with which York has a partnership agreement. The students will also travel to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea to experience first-hand the heartbreak of war and the partition of a nation.
“Being abroad means an extraordinarily rich learning environment as students immerse themselves in a new culture and environment,” says political science Professor Thomas Klassen.
Klassen, who is teaching the course, has written extensively on Korea and has spent several years in Seoul over the past decade. He adds that the course will provide many occasions for the York students to participate in events and to meet with experts on Korean politics, as well as with local university students.
“The course is a wonderful opportunity for hands-on learning,” says student Alex Ritson. “I’m someone who really responds to that, so a course where you get to study abroad is a dream that has come true.”
James Soto, another student, adds, “Going abroad is an adventure. With a rich culture, living and learning in South Korea is an experience that I am glad to share with my colleagues in the class. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
LA&PS currently offers 15 study abroad courses that allow students to learn in 10 African, Asian and European countries. For example, they can head to South Africa for Children’s Culture in Context, practise Intermediate German in Berlin or experience Literary London in England.
For more information about Klassen’s course, visit the South Korea: The Politics of Youth and Old Age course web page where photos of the students’ activities in Korea will be posted.