Hanma Global Sprint: Learning from the World, Leading the Future
The excitement and confidence of freshmen, shaped by the belief that they can achieve anything after their long and demanding preparation for university, serve as the foundation of an active and meaningful college life. To support these aspirations, Kyungnam University (KU) offers the Hanma Global Sprint, a short-term overseas training program that allows freshmen to broaden their perspectives through hands-on learning experiences.
Launched in September 2025, the Hanma Global Sprint is a three-day overseas program conducted in selected countries, including Japan, China, and Taiwan. Rather than focusing solely on sightseeing, the program emphasizes learning about the history, development, and social context of the sites visited.
A Step-by-Step Record of Learning
In 2025, several KU departments sent students to explore various locations in Osaka, Japan. Students from the Department of Media and Visual Arts toured NHK (Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai) Broadcasting Station, Japan’s public broadcaster, and Universal Studios Japan. They toured the lobby, studios, and interactive spaces at NHK, gaining firsthand insight into actual broadcasting production. Students created sound effects for filmed scenes and observed drama productions, helping them understand the processes of content planning and directing. Universal Studios Japan, which has developed from a film production studio into an interactive theme park, provided students with an opportunity to appreciate how film serves as both a medium for cultural exchange and an industry that integrates technology and art.
Students from the School of Sports Science visited the Koshien Museum and MIZUNO Sportology Gallery, gaining firsthand insight into the integration of sports history and sports science. They also visited major attractions such as Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of History. Students reported that these experiences were meaningful and helped broaden their perspectives as future sports science professionals.
Students from the Department of Foodservice & Culinary Arts explored the Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda, where they learned about trends in the food industry and manufacturing processes. By making their own noodles, they gained practical experience and enhanced their creativity in product development. After the trip, students reported their intention to actively pursue overseas learning opportunities to enhance their global competencies.
Students from the Department of Korean Education visited the monuments of poets Yun Dong-ju and Jeong Ji-yong at Doshisha University, gaining a deeper understanding of the historical and literary significance of their poetry. They also visited the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library to learn about the history, management, and cultural characteristics of modern Japanese libraries. By observing the reading habits of local citizens, students gained firsthand insight into the educational and cultural value of libraries. This fieldbased training helped broaden students’ academic interests and perspectives through relevant experiential learning.
Students from the Department of Health and Medical Informatics explored various areas of Osaka, experiencing the city’s atmosphere and lifestyle. They also visited the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Center and the ATC (Asia-Pacific Trade Center) Ageless Center, gaining field experience related to emergency medical education and facilities designed for an aging society. The Hanma Global Sprint not only provides the enjoyment of travel but also allows students to observe how concepts learned in textbooks or lectures are applied in realworld settings. Major-related overseas field experiences help broaden students’ career awareness and professional perspectives.
Expanding Learning Globally
Although the Hanma Global Sprint is a short-term overseas program, it is designed as a global education initiative that allows students to learn and grow on the world stage, in line with its slogan, “Starting from KU, the World is Our Campus.” Participating students not only develop global citizenship competences by understanding diverse cultures and values but also broaden their perspectives in their fields of study and create opportunities to proactively plan their careers. Despite its brief duration, the intensive program serves as a stepping stone for students to advance as “glocal talents,” as envisioned by KU.
President Park Jae Kyu stated that the Hanma Global Sprint represents a structural innovation that provides equal learning opportunities for all students and marks a new beginning for international education. He also emphasized that the university will continue to implement internationalization policies that support students’ practical growth and help shape a new direction for higher education in Korea.