In the last 20 years, we have seen a significant rise in interest and demand for the Korean language due to cultural and commercial globalisation, and the Internet and communications revolution. International interest in Korean culture, such as K-dramas and K-pop, has increased tremendously, especially in Asia, leading to what has been termed the “Korean Wave”. This sudden rise in the global popularity of Korean culture has been recorded in Europe as well, accompanied by an increasing number of Korean language courses.
In response to the growing demand for the Korean language in Europe, the University of Rijeka, with the support of its South Korean partner Sungshin Women’s University, opened the King Sejong Institute Rijeka, also known as KSI Rijeka, in September 2022.
The King Sejong Institute Foundation is a foundation established by the South Korean government that encourages the learning of the Korean language around the world. It was founded in 2007, and its name refers to Sejong the Great, the inventor of the Korean alphabet. As of February 2024, there were 248 King Sejong institutes in 85 countries.
Courses
KSI Rijeka provides an integrated and standardized curriculum and materials for learning the Korean language, complemented with a real-life experience of the diversity of Korean culture. Lecturers, i.e., native Korean speakers, hold classes in line with a uniform, tried and tested curriculum approved by the KSI Foundation, which makes it easier for students to learn and acquire the language.
KSI Rijeka offers regular language courses (levels 1A-3A) which usually last around 15 weeks (45 teaching hours). All classes are held onsite (on UNIRI Campus), and the price per semester amounts to EUR 60,00. Students can also enroll in special, shorter courses (2-8 weeks) offered free of charge (e.g., Introduction to Korean, Korean Culture, Korean Cooking, Learning Korean through K-drama, etc.).
In addition to regular language courses, students gain a broader picture of the Korean history, culture, and customs, all thanks to numerous workshops (K-beauty, K-pop, Korean cooking class, dance workshops, Korean filmography), competitions (speaking, calligraphy), lectures by Korean experts and visits to various events that promote the Korean language and culture (Korean Film Week).
Impact on local community
The cooperation of the University of Rijeka with South Korean universities, as traditional Asian partners, resulted in the so-called “Korean Wave”, which also affected Rijeka. Every year, KSI Rijeka welcomes more and more Rijeka residents who are interested in learning the Korean language and culture. The strategic importance of KSI Rijeka in improving the national image and expanding the overseas base of Korea and Korean culture was also recognized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Croatia, which opened the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Rijeka at the end of 2023, then only the second Korean consulate in Croatia. This is living proof that Korean, once a very distant and isolated language, is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, and the University of Rijeka is ready to respond to this increasing demand for the Korean language in the European space.
Prompted by common interests and numerous ideas for promoting Korean culture in the Rijeka community, the course participants founded the Korean Club Rijeka, established to spread Korean culture, but also hold various entertainment events. Korean art lovers often organize dance parties (K-pop parties), dance workshops, weekend gatherings (book club), and numerous other activities open to the public. One of the most notable activities is certainly the dance workshop led by Jay Kim, a famous Korean choreographer and long-time dance instructor of Korean K-pop stars.
Contact
KSI Rijeka
Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka
For more information on the courses, activities, and application process, follow KSI Rijeka’s Instagram profile (@sejongrijeka) and the Korean Club Rijeka (@koreanclubrijeka).
For any specific questions regarding the courses, please contact the lecturers directly.