The course of Korean culture and language began on Monday, September 14, 2020 at the Borongaj Campus at the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb. 96 students applied, which is beyond all expectations, and they will attend classes four hours a week for free for the next 16 weeks. The enrollment quota was filled in a record time in just five days. The students showed the greatest interest, 79 of them are attending the course. Most of them are from the University of Zagreb: from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the School of Medicine, the Faculty of Political Science and the Faculty of Croatian Studies. Also 13 employees and 4 high school students enrolled the course.
The program is organized by the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb in cooperation with Chung-Ang University in Seoul and the King Sejong Institute Foundation in Seoul. The course is led by lecturer EunGyeong Kim from Seoul, and administrative support is provided by Lina Seonghyun Kwon, a graduate student in croatology.
Dean of the Faculty of Croatian Studies, Prof Pavo Barišić welcomed the lecturer EunGyeong Kim and the course participants. He expressed satisfaction that the Republic of Croatia received the first King Sejong Institute and thus became a member of a large international network. The King Sejong Institute Foundation has opened its institutes in 76 countries, of which 26 in European countries. More than 120 universities and institutions around the world applied this year for the establishment of the King Sejong Institute, but only 34 were selected, one of which was the Zagreb King Sejong Institute. This is a great honor for the Faculty of Croatian Studies. The dean said Korean culture and language will be taught for at least three years, and if interest continues to be high it will continue in the future.
The first course lasts until December 28, 2020, and will take place in three groups having four school hours per week: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate from the King Sejong Institute, which can be used as a proof of Korean language proficiency when applying for a residence visa of Korea.