South Koreaโs global manufacturing and apparel conglomerate Youngone Group recently hosted 20 female college students from Bangladesh and Vietnam under its Global Experience Program, in cooperation with Sookmyung Womenโs University in Seoul in a bid to expand educational and cultural exposure for young women from developing economies.
The eight-day visit, held from January 19 to 26, brought together daughters of young local employees working at Youngoneโs operations in Bangladesh and Vietnam, offering them hands-on exposure to Korean culture, industry, and academic life.
During their stay, the participants lived in university dormitories at Sookmyung Womenโs University and took part in a series of cultural and experiential programs designed to broaden their global perspectives.
Activities included taekwondo practice, K-pop dance classes, a historical tour of the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, and various cultural immersion events that showcased traditional and contemporary South Korean life.
In addition to cultural experiences, the students visited the Youngone Group headquarters, where they attended briefings on the companyโs business operations and global strategy, gaining insights into how a major multinational operates across borders.
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The itinerary was supported by the universityโs URINK Global Buddy Leadership Group, which helped facilitate cross-cultural interaction and peer exchange.
The initiative is part of a development fund project that Youngone Group supports at Sookmyung Womenโs University, specifically aimed at enabling young women from developing countries ย who might not otherwise have access to international travel and cultural exchange ย to experience global learning first-hand.
Vice Chair Rae Eun Sung of Youngone Group highlighted the importance of expanding opportunities globally, noting that while international exchange has become more common, not all students have equal access to such experiences. She also expressed gratitude toward Sookmyung Womenโs University for hosting and facilitating this meaningful cultural bridge.
This South Korea exchange is one of several recent Youngone initiatives geared toward educational support and talent development in Bangladesh and beyond. In 2025, the company partnered with Chittagong Independent University (CIU) to award academic excellence scholarships and internship opportunities to Bangladeshi students, supporting local education and future workforce readiness.
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Furthermore, Youngone Corporationโs leadership received recognition in Bangladesh for economic contributions, reflecting the companyโs deepening ties with local communities.
The cultural exchange also aligns with South Koreaโs broader efforts to attract and engage international students. In recent years, Korean universities have seen rising numbers of foreign enrollments and expanded global programs to support intercultural learning and academic mobility.
Many participants reflected on how the experience enriched their confidence and global outlook. One student noted that living and learning alongside Korean peers was both inspiring and empowering, deepening her understanding of different educational environments and cultural contexts.
In essence, the Youngone-Sookmyung partnership is not just a cultural tour โ it represents a growing commitment to inclusive global learning, womenโs empowerment, and cross-border collaboration in education and industry.
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