KSIF Successfully Hosts the KSI Alumni
and Sponsoring Organization Networking Event

> Encouraging growth and challenges for KSI alumni from 26 countries with sponsors such as KB Kookmin Card, Hancom, Woori Bank, and Nongshim

> Award ceremony for the winners of the 2024 KSI Learners’ Experience in Korea Contest on the theme of studying and living in Korea

The King Sejong Institute Foundation(Acting President and Secretary General Bae Jong-min, hereafter referred to as KSIF) held the 2024 KSI Alumni and Sponsoring Organization Networking Event on November 20 at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun. Under the theme of The Dream of KSI, A Moment Shining Together, over 100 people attended the event, including KSI alumni currently studying in Korea, sponsors, and representatives from scholarship-supporting universities. The event featured networking opportunities among participants and a ceremony to present appreciation plaques to the sponsors.

During the presentation on the achievements of KSIF’s scholarship and sponsorship programs, themed Inspiring the World, Achieving Dreams, various success stories were shared of KSI alumni who studied at the institute and later secured employment at Korean companies or continued their studies at Korean universities, pursuing their dreams in Korean. The event also highlighted the dedication of the sponsors who supported these learners in achieving their aspirations.
 
 

The event continued with the 2024 KSI Learners’ Experience in Korea Contest Award Ceremony. Out of 87 submissions capturing the charm of studying and living in Korea through essays and videos, Harriet Savile Sams from KSI London won the grand prize in the essay category, and Rula Alzughayyar from KSI Ramallah, Palestine won the grand prize in the video category. Harriet Saville Sams’ essay romantically expressed the safety and convenience of living in Korea, its diverse food and café culture, and the warmth of Korean people, receiving high praise from the judges for its unique foreign perspective.
 

Rula Jagayar, who has been pursuing a master’s degree in international studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies since last September, shared her thoughts. “It’s been over a year since I came to Korea. When submitting my video for this contest, I wanted to show the results of my efforts to get closer to the Korean language and culture. I’m very happy to receive this grand prize. If my friends back home ask what I remember most about my time in Korea, I would say it’s today. Today is the highlight of my life in Korea. Thank you to everyone who congratulated me. I plan to use the prize money to further my Korean studies and enjoy more Korean cultural experiences during the remainder of my time here.”

Meanwhile, Melnikova Maria from KSI St. Petersburg, Russia, who is majoring in architectural and urban systems engineering at Ewha Womans University, also attended the networking event. She said, “I was happy to meet not only my friends from KSI that I already knew, but also new KSI friends and have the opportunity to network with them. Taking “life-cut” photos in the beautifully decorated venue and participating in various prize draws made every moment enjoyable. I also heard that KSIF has created an online community for KSI learners, so I’m excited to stay connected with my friends both online and offline.”
 

A representative from Nongshim, who delivered remarks after receiving an appreciation plaque, stated, “We feel fulfilled in promoting Shin Ramyun, Nongshim’s flagship K-food product, worldwide through our sponsorship of KSI. We are also pleased with the promotional benefits this has brought to our brand. We express our gratitude to KSIF for creating an opportunity for sponsors and alumni to come together and share this sense of achievement. We hope that events like this will continue to be held annually.”
 
 

Bae Jong-min, Secretary General of KSIF, expressed his vision. “KSIF will continue to expand opportunities for mutual growth by connecting dedicated sponsors with KSI learners. We hope that in the near future, these learners will contribute to the growth of sponsoring companies and pursue careers as diplomats and other professionals, fostering mutual development between nations.”