Six students from Hongik University College of Education Affiliated High School visited Southern California at the invitation of alumni to participate in a 10-day Global Leadership Camp. Beyond a simple overseas experience, the camp was designed to allow students to immerse themselves in American society and culture while deeply reflecting on their career paths and leadership skills.

Organized by the Southern California Hongik University College of Education Affiliated High School Alumni Association (President Kang Hyun-chul), the camp ran from August 3 to August 12. Six students, two from each grade, were selected after submitting essays on “Why I Want to Participate in the Global Camp” and undergoing Zoom interviews with alumni in the Americas. They were accompanied by a supervising teacher, the school principal, and the secretary-general of the main alumni association, making a total of nine participants for the entire program.

The students visited top West Coast universities, including USC, UCLA, and UC San Diego, where they interacted directly with current students, discussing topics ranging from the admissions process to campus life. They also toured significant civic and cultural sites, such as LA City Hall, courthouses, the city council, the Reagan Presidential Library, the USS Midway in San Diego, and major museums like the Getty Museum, LACMA, and The Broad, gaining a broad understanding of American history and culture.

Third-year student Yoo Jin-seo shared, “I was invited to an alumnus’s home for a meal and had meaningful conversations about studying abroad and career paths. Their thoughtful advice and in-depth discussions helped me clarify my previously vague thoughts about my future direction.”One of the camp’s highlights was a series of leadership lectures led by professional instructors. Over three sessions, students learned about leadership qualities, the importance of environment, and self-directed thinking, reflecting on their life’s direction. First-year student Park Jin-soo said, “The phrase ‘environment shapes a person’ stuck with me. Experiencing a completely different environment from Korea changed my perspective.” Fellow first-year student Oh Se-young added, “The lectures taught me which values to incorporate into my life, making it a truly meaningful experience.

”Brian Kim, the camp’s planning coordinator, stated, “We wanted to inspire our beloved juniors from our alma mater with dreams and hopes for the global stage. Many alumni voluntarily contributed to make this project possible. ”Principal Kim Heon-jae remarked, “I was deeply moved by the meticulous preparation of the Southern California alumni for this leadership camp. It was a valuable opportunity for the students to grow, and I sincerely thank the alumni for their voluntary participation.” Supervising teacher Kwon Yoo-kyung shared, “Watching the students’ preparation process and seeing it unfold as envisioned was incredibly moving. The warmth and genuine care shown by the alumni were particularly impressive.”