Northwest University (NU) in Kirkland announced the development of sister university relationships with top universities in Korea.

In January, NU began a series of student and faculty exchange agreements with Ewha Womans University, Soongsil University, Gachon University (formerly Kyungwon), Handong Global University, and renewed a partnership with Hansei University. Northwest University and these universities enter into these agreements as an acknowledgement of their shared value of intercultural academic exchange in higher education.

Rose Kim Smith, vice president of Enrollment, and Dr. Autumn Witt, director of the Center for English Language Education (CELE), visited Seoul and Pohang in November 2011 to personally initiate these sister university partnerships.

Dr. Witt stated, “We were overwhelmed by the hospitality at each university and look forward to welcoming Korean students to NU and sending our students to be culturally enriched through exchanges as well.”

The exchange agreements not only qualify NU students to study in these prestigious Korean universities for up to one academic year, but also to apply for scholarships sponsored by the Korean government. Through these partner relationships, exceptional NU students can also apply for Global Korean Scholarships through the National Institution for International Education of Korea (NIIED), which covers airfare and living costs during students’ exchange programs at partner universities.

“Attending these universities is a fantastic opportunity for NU students. Exchange students can choose from hundreds of university courses, taught in English or Korean as well as Korean language classes,” said Dr. Witt. “Everyone we have worked with from these international programs has been so kind and professional and we look forward to starting our new relationships.”

Korean exchange students will also have full access to NU courses, live on campus, and may participate in campus activities or clubs, like the top-ranked Debate team, to fully immerse themselves in American culture.

Students may also enroll in the intensive academic English program through the CELE program at NU, which is designed to prepare international students for university.

NU students can apply for the exchange program in March for the fall 2012 exchange. Students are encouraged to apply before their sophomore or junior year. Local families or students are welcome to schedule a campus visit.

For more information about Northwest’s exchange program, visit www.northwestu.edu.