The 2026 Summer Study Abroad Program at Prestigious North American Universities for Outstanding Students, operated by the Office of International Affairs at CBNU, took place throughout July. Held for the two consecutive year, this program was designed to improve students’ foreign language skills, cultivate a global mindset, and strengthen their ability to adapt to intercultural environments. This year, a total of 33 students were recruited for three institutions—the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) (10 students), UC Berkeley (10 students) in the U.S., and McMaster University in Canada (13 students). However, due to local circumstances, placements at some universities were canceled, resulting in 18 students being sent to UPenn. The program lasted for about 4 weeks from July 6 to July 31, during which a CBT reporter participated in English classes, guest lectures by professors, and social and cultural activities at UPenn’s English Language Programs (ELP).

  At the time of applying, the CBT reporter set improving English conversation skills and experiencing American culture as the primary goals. The ELP classes were conducted in small groups of 13 to 17 students, bringing together participants from various countries, including Japan, China, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and Spain. A Uruguayan classmate consistently asked questions during class despite not being fluent in English, checking with other students frequently to make sure she had understood correctly. When asked later about the secret behind her confidence, she replied, “I came here to learn English, and asking about what I do not know is nothing to be ashamed of.” Her response demonstrated that an attitude of actively engaging in conversation first—even if imperfectly—is a starting point for language learning, rather than focusing too much on finding exact expressions.

  What was particularly impressive about the local classes was the atmosphere that naturally encouraged student participation. Instructors frequently posed questions during class, and students spoke up without hesitation whenever they had opinions or questions. Discussions and conversations among students were also active, encouraging everyone to speak and respond rather than simply listen.

  Practical assignments to directly experience local culture were also included. The CBT reporter and team members formulated questions regarding American society and went outside the campus to interview 9 American citizens. One of the questions was, “Would you marry someone from another country?” All respondents said that it would not be a problem, and 4 of them mentioned that they were married to or dating someone from a different country. In response to the question, “What do you think is the best part of the U.S.?”, a majority chose “freedom.” While it is impossible to generalize the perceptions of American society as a whole based on only 9 responses, the CBT reporter learned through the interviews that the respondents placed significant value on individual freedom and diversity.

  Kim Su-ji (Dept. of Veterinary Medicine, 22) applied for the program to communicate with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in clinical settings after graduation and experience a world-class academic environment in veterinary medicine. She said, “At the beginning of the program, I felt intimidated due to the pressure of being the oldest participant and the language barrier. However, thanks to the detailed feedback from the local faculty and the consideration shown by fellow students of various nationalities, I was able to overcome my fear. Especially when I could not immediately express my thoughts in English, my friends waited with a smile. I realized that a sincere desire to communicate is more important than perfect language skills, and on graduation day, tears came to my eyes as I remembered those warm moments.” She added, “The greatest achievement of this program was learning the courage to move forward when afraid.”

  This program went beyond simply improving language skills; it was an opportunity to reflect on one’s attitude while directly experiencing unfamiliar educational methods and cultures. The process of stepping out of a familiar environment to encounter the language and thoughts of others can serve as an opportunity to broaden one’s perspective on the world. Even if they feel unprepared, fellow students who are willing to step into a new environment may find it worthwhile to challenge themselves by participating in the next program.

▲ Teacher Andrew Petersen(center) from UPenn, accompanied by the CBT reporter(left) and Kim Su-Ji(right), poses for a photo.