( Photo credit: Freepik )
On March 31, Robert Matz, the Dean of George Mason University Korea (Mason Korea), announced that Mason Korea has decided to continue teaching online until the end of the 2020 Spring semester rather than to start face-to-face classes on April 6, following the recommendation from the Korean Ministry of Education. Students of the Mason Global Gateway Program, who have transferred to Mason Korea from Fairfax Campus for the Spring 2020 semester, are now going through limitations due to such a change in policy.
The Voice interviewed one of the Mason Global Gateway students as the Face of Mason. The Mason Global Gateway is a study-abroad program of Mason for freshmen year. John Baban (24' Physics), as the Global Gateway Student, described the program and his life in Korea in the interview.
In the interview, Baban mentioned the advantage of the Global Gateway Program is that the program provides opportunities for incoming freshmen students to study abroad without credit prerequisites. Baban decided to join the 'Mason Global Gateway' program since he wanted to experience the bigger world. By applying to study in Korea, Baban expected to meet many Mason Korea students and explore the Korean culture, which has become difficult to achieve due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the extension of the online courses.
Despite the pandemic situation and difficulties of virtual classes, Baban decided to stay in Korea rather than going back to the United States because he only has been in Korea for less than a month when the COVID-19 outbreak reached its peak. He wanted to experience more new things and make good memories in Korea with his friends. Baban stated that he usually hangs out with friends to experience bars in Korea and visits the Korean Karaoke which is located near the Mason Korea campus in his free time. Also, while Baban is staying on the IGC campus, he uses the IGC facility often. He goes to the IGC library to study rather than staying in his room.
Overall, Baban indicated the Mason Global Gateway program offers good chances to experience new things and study with friends. Although Baban was not allowed to do various activities in Korea so far due to the global pandemic, he did try to do activities in line with the purpose of the program as well as his desires for new experiences.
Written by Minwoo Park | Staff Writer
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