The Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange held the “2016 Outlookie Camp for International Youth Cultural Experience“ in cooperation with Let’s Run Park at Kumho Asiana’s Human Resource Development Center in Yongin, Gyenggi Province, from June 25 to 26. Here, the second class of Outlookie, which consists of international students in Korea and teenagers from multicultural families, also participated in the event.  

Approximately 154 university students and teenagers from 22 countries participated in this camp, which offered an avenue for communication and understanding where they can elevate their sense of self-esteem through peer group exchanges. The participants were also given a chance to have first-hand experiences in daily circumstances in which they feel less confident and even isolated because of their lack of mastery of the Korean language through nonverbal learning programs such as NANTA, K-pop dance, Korean calligraphy based on Korean culture and Hallyu contents, and joint tasks between mentors and mentees. 

International students who came to Korea to study because of their love for the country but could not help but seek assistance as a socially disadvantaged group so that they can overcome language and cultural barriers willingly shared their know-how and talents with the youth from multicultural families. They were able to effectively share about how the teenagers can make a soft landing as a legitimate member of the Korean society.

The members of the second class of Outlookie who joined this camp as mentors said, “Although we did not have much time together because of the tight schedule, it was a great opportunity for us to share our feelings and thoughts with fellow brothers and sisters. I would like to keep in touch with them.” The teenagers who participated in the event as mentees said, “We feel very grateful because our mentors took care of us very well. This event made us feel more self-confident.”