Consul General Julia Stanley takes questions from reporters at a December 15 press event sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss WEST (Work, English, Study, Travel).
December 15, 2008
ROK and US Government officials met on December 9 and 10 to finalize the Operational Guidelines of the Work, English Study and Travel (WEST) Program. Under these guidelines, the program will launch in March 2009 with an initial 300 participants. An additional 1,000 participants are anticipated for summer 2009. The number of participants is expected to gradually expand up to 5,000 per year.
This meeting follows an August 6 summit in Seoul where President Lee Myung-bak and President George W. Bush agreed to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of our two countries by launching the WEST Program. A Memorandum of Understanding on the WEST Program and on the expansion of other reciprocal exchange opportunities was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan of the Republic of Korea on September 22, 2008.
The WEST Program reflects the future-oriented nature of the U.S. – Korea alliance by providing an opportunity for Korean university students to study English and work in professional-level internships, thereby enriching their knowledge and experience in the United States and giving them international professional experience and a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. work place
WEST will allow qualifying university students and recent university graduates to enter the United States for a period of up to 18 months on J-1 exchange visitor visas that will allow them to study English, participate in professional-level internships, and travel independently.
Participants will devote at least 450 classroom hours to structured English language training and coursework focusing on American business practices and business procedures, U.S. corporate culture, and general office management issues. Following their course of English language study, U.S. sponsor organizations will place program participants in professional-level internships suited to the students’ interests, fields of study and abilities.
The Government of the Republic of Korea has created the Global Internship Support Task Force (GISTF). This task force, working through Korean universities and the Korean Council of University Education, will be responsible for the screening and selection of all Korean participants. On the basis of the relevant laws and regulations, the ROKG will provide student loan guarantees to all Korean participants who require financial assistance. Furthermore, certain WEST participants from low-income families may be eligible for ROKG grants.
Under the auspices of the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, the program will initially be coordinated through three Department of State approved sponsoring organizations: the Association for International Practical Training (AIPT), the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and the Intrax Cultural Exchange. The number of sponsoring organizations may expand to reflect the growth of the program.
