WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 27, 2018 — West Liberty University students were immersed in Asian design and culture this summer as Professor Moonjung Kang escorted students to South Korea.
Study is taking place from June 28 – Aug. 2 and this is Kang’s third educational trip (and the longest one) to her home country, where she has been instrumental in developing a strong partnership with Hanbat National University.
“The summer design camp offers students a chance to learn a lot in a short time. The summer study includes intense classes and so far everything has gone well. The students are happy and grateful for the chance to study in Korea,” she said. Professor Kang has taught at WLU since 2009.
Students also had time to tour and sightsee in the region of Daejeon, Seoul and Jeonju, since the school provided a school bus to transport the students around.
Korean study abroad students for 2018 include: rising sophomores Taylor Still-Pepper of Zanesville, Ohio and Daniel Eddy of Clarksburg, W.Va. along with rising senior Mimi Albon of Charles Town, W.Va. All are majoring in Visual Communications in the College of Arts and Communication.
The summer curriculum includes classes in Asian calligraphy, illustration, typography, branding, motion graphics and computer film editing. Kang also taught classes in Design Thinking. Guest lecturers, who are successful Korean designers, also shared professional methods and tips with students.
After taking classes at Hanbat University, the students are spending seven days in Seoul, meeting Kang’s family, friends and artists as they make more connections in the world of art.
Students enrolled in the summer study also included students from China, England and Spain.
“This study abroad has been fun and educational. So many people in Korea, especially our fellow students, were very generous and kind. We made many friends and learned new skills from our classes and field trips. I really enjoyed learning calligraphy, because it taught me the importance of typography in design and inspired me to incorporate more brush strokes and organic elements into my design,” said Albon.
Students earned six credits from WLU and a certificate from Hanbat, after completing their study. Due to the partnership between the two Universities, tuition and board was at no cost.
“This program is outstanding. What Moon has provided for these young adults is a great opportunity that many would not get under normal circumstances. They are experiencing new cultures, both of Korea as well as that of the other students they are studying with. The field trips to different places are wonderful additions to the classroom,” said Kelli PeaceMaker, Danielle Eddy’s mother.
“Students who attended the Design Camp in the past found it helpful in developing their vision and creative ideas. For example, alumna Rosalie Haizlett was named an Emerging Artist Fellow by the Tamarack Foundation and Courtney Carter won the 2018 Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol poster competition,” Kang said.
Students who traveled abroad will prepare a presentation for campus to enjoy at a later date. Professor Kang is staying on in Korea after the study abroad on sabbatical, creating a new course, User Experience Design and doing further study.
The Visual Communications program is just one of the majors offered in the College of Arts and Communication and for more information, please visit WLU’s Visual Art webpage at westliberty.edu/art.
For more information on Korean study abroad, please contact Kang at mkang@westliberty.edu.