Valdosta State University Sejong Institute has officially opened its doors, marking the establishment of Georgia’s very first Sejong Institute.
Valdosta State University announced on October 13 that it signed a business agreement on the 6th with Hannam University and the Sejong Institute Foundation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to open the new institute. The initiative aims to expand Korean language education and cultural dissemination while strengthening international exchange foundations linked with local universities and communities. Professor Park Byung-hwa of the Department of Business Administration was appointed as the inaugural director.
The establishment process began in November of last year, followed by application submissions in January, on-site inspections and educational environment checks in May, and final announcements in July. The institute launched its inaugural Korean language classes on the 24th of last month. The first semester features approximately 120 students enrolled across two beginner classes. The Sejong Institute Foundation directly selects and dispatches Korean language instructors while covering the associated costs.
Established in 2012, the Sejong Institute Foundation oversees the global promotion of the Korean language and culture. In the North American region, there are 14 locations including Los Angeles, Chicago, Irvine, and Houston. In the southeastern region, the Auburn University Sejong Institute in Alabama began offering Korean language education in 2013. Globally, the institute operates 273 locations across 89 countries.
Valdosta is a city located in southernmost Georgia, just 15 miles from the Florida border. With a median household income of $45,000, it is considered a lower-income and underdeveloped area, where the Asian population accounts for only 1%.
This unique setting gives the Sejong Institute a special significance. In areas where private initiatives fail to reach and Korean infrastructure and cultural accessibility are poor, public support can secure long-term educational opportunities. Director Park Byung-hwa stated, “While exchanges between Georgia and Korea have become active with the entry of around 150 Korean companies, opportunities to systematically experience Korean culture in Valdosta remain extremely limited. We hope that through the Sejong Institute, the university can fulfill its fundamental role of connecting the world beyond local boundaries.”
Valdosta State University is one of the 25 public universities in the University System of Georgia and serves as a representative comprehensive university in the southern region, employing about 10 Korean faculty members. The institute aims to grow into a hub for cultural exchange, increasing preference for Korean cultural content and attracting local residents dreaming of studying in Korea.
Korean language classes have already gained immense popularity, with registration closing early. Last month’s beginner-level recruitment conducted via online video conferencing drew 120 applicants within just five hours, easily surpassing the capacity. Education is currently conducted two hours a day, twice a week, with plans to introduce additional subjects such as Korean cuisine, K-dramas and movies, traditional culture, and history based on future demand surveys.
Director Park noted, “Students have registered from a wide area, ranging from nearby Jacksonville, Florida, to as far as Texas. This has reaffirmed the explosive interest in the Korean language and culture.”
