Hankuk University of Foreign Studies: A Comprehensive Overview

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), abbreviated in Korean as 외대 (Oedae), stands as a distinguished private research university in Seoul, South Korea. Since its founding in 1954, HUFS has been dedicated to cultivating enlightened citizens with a global perspective and creative professionals who will lead the fusion of the world’s cultures.

Mission and Vision

HUFS's mission is to cultivate enlightened citizens with a global perspective and creative professionals who will lead the fusion of the world’s cultures in the future. The university envisions itself as a world-class global institution. It aims to lead in academic consolidation and convergence, embracing the humanities, business and economics, the social sciences, law, and science and engineering, all based on its specialized education in 45 foreign languages.

A History Rooted in Languages

HUFS was founded in April 1954 by Kim Heung-bae as a college dedicated to the study of foreign languages. The first students focused on English, French, Chinese, German, Spanish, and Russian. This strong foundation in language education has remained a core element of the university's identity.

Academic Profile

HUFS has over 50 departments covering a wide array of disciplines:

Social Sciences
Eastern European Studies
Humanities
Asia-African Studies
Natural Sciences
Law
Political Science
Business
Medical Science
Engineering

Global Engagement and Internationalization

HUFS emphasizes internationalization, making it a popular choice for students seeking a global education. The university is widely considered the best institution teaching internationalization in Korea and is a top private university, especially in social sciences and languages.

Students have the opportunity to study abroad in Seoul and experience the academic standards of a leading international university while living in a modern and developed city.

FLEX: Foreign Language Examination System

HUFS operates a foreign language examination system (FLEX). The FLEX Center develops examinations for 19 languages, with seven currently administered: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Double majors must achieve certain FLEX scores for graduation, apart from graduation certification.

Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation (GSIT)

Founded in 1979, the Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation (GSIT) addresses the demand for international language specialists. GSIT offers master's degree courses in interpretation/translation in eight languages: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic. In November 1999, GSIT launched the nation's first doctoral program in interpretation/translation to stimulate research in the field.

Graduate School of TESOL

The HUFS Graduate School of TESOL is divided into two concentrations: the Department of English Language Teaching and the Department of ELT Contents Development.

Minerva College - Center for Writing & International Ethics

The Minerva College - Center for Writing & International Ethics offers lectures, allowing students to earn credits. Undergraduates must take "Minerva Liberal Arts Lecture(1), Minerva Liberal Arts Lecture(2)", and "Freshmen Seminar".

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Department of Southeast Asia and India

The Department of Southeast Asia and India covers eleven countries: Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, East Timor, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. It offers interdisciplinary Master's and Ph.D. degrees with concentrations in politics, economy, or society and culture, and one of the languages of South Asia or Southeast Asia. The curriculum is designed for those interested in careers in the foreign service, government, international assistance, or teaching.

Department of Latin American Studies

Latin American Studies encompasses graduate seminars and special lectures. Courses focus on the region's political development, democracy, political economy, and international relations. The economy/business track covers Latin America's macro-economy, its interaction with the world economy, and regional economic integration. The society/culture concentration provides a broad understanding of Latin American and Caribbean society, covering history, culture, social structure, and changes in race and religion. The Latin American Studies Department offers a Latin America Policy Seminar and a Latin American Business Seminar each semester.

Department of Canadian Studies

The Canadian Studies Department is multidisciplinary, with graduate seminars and special lectures in politics and diplomacy, economy and management, and society and culture. The politics and diplomacy track covers domestic political progress and structure, diplomacy, and national security. The economy/management track studies North American finance and international management policies. The society/culture track provides a systematic understanding of North American culture. All course work is done in English.

Department of International Development Studies

The Department of International Development Studies was established in 2010.

Department of International Studies

The GSIAS established the Department of International Studies during the first semester of 2017 and recruited the first students for its master's degree program during the second semester of 2017.

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Research and Innovation

HUFS is committed to research and innovation. The university's research ranking reflects the volume, impact, and quality of its research output. Its innovation ranking is based on the number of patent applications and citations from patents.

Centers and Institutes

FLEX Center: Manages and operates FLEX, developed by HUFS and administered with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
HUFS TESOL Professional Education Center: Addresses the demand for English teachers with language and teaching knowledge.
Seoul Institute for Continuing Education: Realizes the philosophy of continuing education.
Center for International Cooperation and Strategy (CICS): A GSIAS-affiliated think-tank facilitating policy-relevant research and outreach programs.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The GSIAS has numerous MOUs and cooperative relationships with institutions within and outside Korea, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP). The HUFS-UPEACE dual degree program, established in 2007, allows students to study one year each in Korea and Costa Rica.

Student Life and Campus Environment

HUFS offers a vibrant campus environment. The campus is cozy and beautiful and offers a lot of options to chill or do group work. Both personal and academically, this is an excellent spot to grow because anything pretty much anything is possible over here - except for boredom. Outside of the campus, Seoul is a city full of entertainment, culture and joy. HUFS is so incredibly nice to their international students, including having an entire International Students Organization where they allow you to meet Korean students, travel around the city with them, or other things such as language exchange.

Notable Events

HUFS has hosted numerous distinguished guests, including presidents and royalty from around the world.

Rankings and Recognition

HUFS consistently appears in global university rankings, demonstrating its academic standing.

Future Development

HUFS continues to evolve, with investments in campus development and new academic programs.

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