□ Co-hosted by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE, president Kim Yong-rak) and the Grand Korea Leisure Foundation (GKL Foundation, chairman Chae Seung-muk) and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Outlookie, the Korean culture exploration program for foreign students in Korea, held a launching ceremony for its fifth-phase exploration team on Friday, May 10, in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do.

□ Outlookie is a multilateral cultural exchange program inviting students from different cultural origins to learn Korean culture while introducing their own cultures. It was conceived to help students develop into global citizens who connect Korea with the rest of the world. The first-phase exploration team launched in 2015 comprised of 71 students from 10 countries. The program has grown annually and this year has a team of 100 students from 25 countries and 20 Korean student supporters.

□ To mark the recent launching ceremony, KOFICE president Kim Yong-rak expressed hopes for the fifth-phase Outlookie team to “come to understand each other’s cultures” and for the exploration to become “a precious opportunity and motivation.” Secretary-general of GKL Foundation Yun Seok-hyeon also prompted the students to “broaden [their] scope of cultural experience and vision through the Outlookie program and to dream big dreams.”

□ After the launching ceremony, the 5th Outlookie team began their exploration of Korean traditional culture in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, which lasted until Sunday, May 12. Beginning with a hanok village tour guided by a cultural commentator, the team was introduced to diverse aspects of Korean culture, engaging in traditional sori (folk singing), talchum (mask dance), hanji-making, hanbok-fitting, and Jeonju-style bibimbap-making activities for a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

□ Member of the 5th Outlookie team Urumbaev Daulet (Uzbekistan) commented, “I’ve always been interested in Korea, which led me to study here. I met some good friends at the launching ceremony and made many memories. I look forward to my activities this year as an Outlookie member.”

□ With the launching ceremony and the exploration of Korean traditional culture as a start, the Outlookie members will continue their cultural expedition throughout the year. In May, June, and September, they will study Korean culture in depth through the K-Culture Academy, and at the multicultural camp held in July, foreign students will have the opportunity to introduce their own cultures. The team is also planning to contribute to Korean society as members of the community by volunteering in cooperation with the GKL Dream Hope Volunteer Group. The international sensitivity internalized through these activities will be shared with other Korean citizens and foreign residents in Korea at the Global Friendship Festival in October, and the exploration will come to an end with a disbanding ceremony in November. In addition, an Outlookie reunion will be held in August, gathering all Outlookie alumni from phases one through five for a chance to further their network.