International Field Research & Study

From August 30 to September 8, 2006, the KDI School hosted its annual International Field Research and Study (IFRS). Professor Jung Kwon and staff led a group of thirty-eight students on the extended tour of the United States.

The IFRS aims to provide unique opportunities to experience businesses and governments in action, so that students can directly interact with sector leaders and learn the best practices and strategies in their fields. Students were able to participate in special lectures by internationally renowned scholars, while also visiting private firms and government institutions of the United States. Students were exposed to many cutting-edge industries including the banking, communications, and IT sectors.

Destinations included Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. The ten day trip included multiple lectures covering a wide range of economic issues, including the sustainable development of the Arabian Gulf, an overview of the convention industry, current trends in technology, global entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley, and venture investment. Mixed together with lectures were company tours to Wells Fargo Bank’s central office in San Diego, the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, and Cyworld Inc., one of the most popular online community service providers in Korea. The IFRS also allowed time for a tour of Napa Valley, home to lush wineries and benchmark wines.

MFDI Field Research & Study

MFDI students also participated in a field research and study in Singapore under the guidance of Professor Seongho Cho. Taking place between August 24-27, 2006, the course provided a unique opportunity for MFDI students to see businesses and government working closely together to enhance foreign direct investments in one of the major FDI capitals of the world.

The field study included special lectures by distinguished FDI scholars and visits to FDI-focused organizations. In the first two days, students had a chance to visit the PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) and JTC (Jurong Town Corporation). They also listened in on lectures by manager Tae-Young Oh of the KOTRA Singapore Branch and Professor Lam Chuan Leong of the National University of Singapore. Lectures focused on FDI in Singapore, namely on the future plans and the present condition of Singapore, as well as Singapore’s strategy for foreign direct investment. Students were also able to explore the country’s culture through scenic tours and historical visits.

Korea Field Research & Study

The KDI School recently held the Korea Field Research and Study program from September 4-7, 2006, for both the international and Korean student community.  Led by multiple professors and the staff of the Academic Affairs division, all participants had an opportunity to better understand and experience the Korean economy, society, and culture outside the classroom.

Places visited included Pohang Steelworks (POSCO), the world''s largest steel producer with sales in excess of US$9 billion, Ulsan, famous as the host city of Hyundai Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, a major automobile manufacturer with sales networks extending to 193 countries, Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world''s number one shipbuilder, and Nongshim, a leading food manufacturer specializing in noodles and snacks.

The trip also allowed students to visit cultural sites, including a tour to the Gyeongju Historic Areas, the capital of the Silla Kingdom, the Seokguram Grotto, which contains the famous monumental statue of the Bonjon Buddha Statue, and Bulguksa Temple, which was designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995.

More than just textbook readings, the trip helped participants see the history and fruits of Korea’s development and economic achievements first-hand and up close.