Q: How do you think the mandatory humanities courses at KAIST (Korean 3 & 4) impact your education and future goals?

The impact of Korean language courses on education and future goals depends on the individual students’ motivations and goals. Some students perceive these as mandatory, while others have a genuine interest in learning Korean due to their future plans [of living in] Korea. Regardless of the motivation, learning Korean offers valuable language skills and cultural insights. For instance, participating in Korean 3 classes improved my understanding of the Korean language and gave me a better feel for it while living as a foreigner in Korea. However, to enhance the experience, KAIST could introduce flexibility in course options, ensuring that students gain meaning and value from them beyond fulfilling graduation requirements.

(Aizirek Turdubaeva, School of Computing)

Q: How do you think the mandatory humanities courses at KAIST (Logical Writing) impact your education and future goals?

Some may complain about why we have to take Logical Writing, but I still believe it’s necessary because regardless of what you do, writing is an essential skill. The course gave me an opportunity to explore various literary works, and it also helped me recall basic grammar and spelling rules, which I found beneficial! Moreover, it was a refreshing experience [away] from my usual engineering classes. There were also counseling opportunities with professors to receive feedback on personal statements or other pieces of writing, which was also pretty helpful.

(Anonymous, School of Electrical Engineering)