Today was spent with administrators and faculty from Sogang University discussing a potential student exchange relationship with UMaine and Maine Business School. Based on my visit, I am most confident that UMaine students would have a great experience at Sogang.

Dr. Young Song, the school’s Vice President for International Affairs, and Jin ok Ahn, responsible for relations with US schools, outlined a very flexible approach that should meet UMaine requirements.

I also meet with the Dean of the Sogang Business School, Dr. Kyung-Kyu Park, and Associate Dean Gwangheon Hong. They are very interested in having the business school lead the way in developing a cooperative relationship at both under-graduate and graduate levels. Sogang Business School recently received AACSB accreditation and offers 33% of its courses in English. Their new US$10 million building was very impressive!

Also on the agenda was a discussion of potential support for a UMaine MBS MBA international trip to Korea. Without question, Sogang resources could provide valuable assistance in the planning and implementation of a trip, ranging from local business contacts, logistical support, student-faculty engagement, and other critical in-country resources. Based on my outline of a possible May 2011 trip, Dr. Song and Ms. Ahn agreed that they could support my work in the development of the trip.

An additional issue raised during the meetings was a possible opportunity for me to offer a course during either a regular or summer semester. I plan to pursue this matter i the coming months.