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  • Group of USC faculty and staff in front of an academic building at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea

    South Korea 2024

    IPHE 2024 visited Seoul and Busan, South Korea. Here, participants had an opportunity to interact with faculty and staff at Korea University in Seoul.

International Perspectives on Higher Education

International Perspectives on Higher Education (IPHE) is a unique professional development program for USC faculty and staff interested in learning more about and becoming involved in international education and the internationalization of USC.  Participants gain a comparative understanding of education practices between USC and our international partner institutions and have opportunities to connect with counterparts at USC's international partner institutions. Upon returning, all IPHE participants are responsible for completing a follow-on project that makes a contribution to the internationalization of USC. 

This page will be updated when details about future IPHE programming are available!

IPHE 2024 took place over Spring Break in Seoul and Busan, South Korea.

After decades of poverty and then war, South Korea emerged in the 1960s as an innovative, agile, and savvy player in an interconnected Asia.  South Korean workers are known as among the world's most dependable, and the nation has made its mark in shipbuilding and the automative industry, as well as electronics, robotics-, and cultural exports.  Kpop has become a global phenomenon, part of a cultural wave called Hallyu, which includes everything from streaming TV series, to skincare regimes, to the distinct and highly delicious cuisine.  South Korean companies are quick to customize its products in certain markets and invest heavily in cutting-edge technologies in product development, making it a fascinating study for many disciplines.

Seoul is the heart of modern South Korea with trendy shopping districts, innovative urban spaces, and incredible nightscapes.  But broader Korea is also home to ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, including temples, palaces, and historic towns.  There are more than 5,000 years of history to study and ample opportunities to enjoy the country's renowned tidy peacefulness.

March 1st: Travel
  • Participants depart for Seoul on self-arranged flights
March 2nd: Travel
  • Arrive in Seoul
  • Group Late-Night Bite
March 3rd: Korean Culture and History
  • Bridging Cultures Workshop with Students
  • Subway Challenge and Market Tour
  • Walking Tour in Gangnam
  • Bongeunsa Temple
March 4th: Social Justice
  • DMZ Visit with North Korean Defector
March 5th: Inclusiveness and Diversity
  • Guest Lecture: Solidarity for LGBT+ Human Rights in South Korea
  • Itaewon Tour
  • Insadong
  • Group Reflection and Dinner
March 6th: Environmental Justice
  • University Visits
  • Visit and Guest Lecture at Resource Recovery Facility of Korea
March 7th: Historical Significance of Busan
  • Travel from Seoul to Busan
  • Jagalchi Fish Market & Gukje Market
  • Gamcheon VIsit
  • Group Reflection
March 8th: Program Conclusion
  • University VIsit
  • Farewell Visit
  • Return to Seoul
  • Program Concludes: Participants may return on self-arranged evening flights on March 8th or opt into one extra night and depart on March 9th.

Upon return, all IPHE participants are required to complete a follow-on project that contributes to the internationalization of USC.  Examples could include developing a short-term faculty-led course, engaging in departmental curriculum integration, developing an international research collaboration, conducting a presentation on the IPHE outcomes for campus colleagues, or writing a campus news article about IPHE. 

In past years, IPHE cohorts have visited UofSC's international education partners in Ghana (virtual - 2021), Sweden (2020), Colombia (2019), Vietnam (2018), South Africa (2017), Costa Rica (2016), Ireland (2015), Italy (2014), and  Spain/France (2013). 

 Faculty and staff in Sweden

USC faculty and staff arrive in Sweden on the 8th annual IPHE program from 2020.

 


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