Gyeongsan City’s University Student Volunteer Corps Completes 12-Day Mission in Mongolia

Education, Culture, and Environmental Volunteer Activities in Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park
 Korean Culture Programs and ESG Practices Foster Global Citizenship
 “An Experience That Becomes a Lifetime Asset” — Reflections Shared at Closing Ceremony

[August 18, 2025]

University students from Gyeongsan have successfully completed their global social contribution activities in Mongolia during the summer vacation. Organized by Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) and sponsored by Gyeongsan City (Mayor CHO Hyun-il), the Overseas Volunteer Corps of the 2025 Global Future Talent Development Project held a closing ceremony on August 14, marking the end of their 12-night, 13-day journey.

 A total of 18 students, selected from six universities in the Gyeongsan region, took part in this initiative. From July 14, they carried out diverse programs in education, culture, and environmental service in Ulaanbaatar and Terelj National Park, strengthening their competencies as global leaders.

 At elementary schools and the Erdem Orphanage in Ulaanbaatar, students introduced Korean traditional culture and art experiences, and conducted creative education programs such as robotics lessons using computer coding—receiving enthusiastic responses from local children. They also engaged in cultural exchanges with Mongolian National University students majoring in Korean language, where they conducted Korean language instruction and K-POP performances, deepening mutual understanding among youths of both countries. In Terelj National Park, the volunteers planted trees and participated in plogging (jogging while collecting litter), directly practicing environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality. Throughout the program, they built friendships that transcended language and cultural barriers, while broadening their perspectives and responsibilities as global citizens.

YU student BAE Gi-tae (junior, Department of Robotics), who served as team representative, said, “At first, the word ‘volunteering’ felt like a heavy burden, but through the smiles and warm welcome of our friends in Mongolia, I realized I was the one who learned the most. Drawing one shining star together with my fellow volunteers will remain one of the greatest assets of my life.”

 At the closing ceremony, Gyeongsan Mayor CHO Hyun-il stated, “Your dedication and hard work in Mongolia have nurtured the global mindset of Gyeongsan’s youth, and this will serve as a foundation for developing our city into an educational hub for future talent. We will continue to expand support so that more students can take on challenges on the global stage.”

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU emphasized, “This overseas volunteer program has provided students with valuable opportunities to experience different cultures and lives, fostering responsibility and a spirit of community. We must not deplete today’s resources merely to live well in the present. Instead, we should use them with the mindset that we are borrowing from future generations, and return them with greater value so that society can remain sustainable and continue to progress.” He added, “I hope this experience broadens students’ horizons and helps them discover their potential. YU will spare no effort to support local youth so they may grow into leaders capable of addressing global challenges and proudly playing their roles on the world stage.”

Meanwhile, the 2025 Global Future Talent Development Project is a collaborative program between YU and Gyeongsan City that offers local youth opportunities to strengthen their global competencies through meaningful social contribution activities abroad. This year’s Mongolia mission achieved significant outcomes in education, culture, and the environment, positioning itself as a sustainable model for linking local communities with the wider world.