Seoul National University’s international population, including outstanding students and world class professors from across the globe, has been on the rise for years. It is no longer uncommon to see a foreign face around campus.  They are allured by the campus and its surroundings, and attracted by the world class research lead by exceptional professors. Five foreign professors from each of their respective fields share their SNU experience.

Professor Robert Ian McKay Professor McKay’s first visit to SNU was as a guest lecturer, by invitation from the head of the Biointelligence lab. When the opportunity to teach came, he was glad to return to SNU.    “I didn’t know anything really about Korean culture, and assumed that it would be halfway between Chinese and Japanese culture, but of course, I now realize that that’s not the case,” he admits with a chuckle, going back to the first days at SNU.   “I was attracted by the excellent research atmosphere and beautiful campus scenery here” For an Australian computer scientist who built his own home in the countryside, the unexpected conjunction of nature and a chance to establish his own research laboratory proved irresistible.  “SNU gave me an unforgettably strong impression, with its members conducting world-class research in such a pleasant environment.  And the level of enthusiasm and commitment of students and faculty is really incredible.

Associate Professor, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, 2005~

Professor, University of New South Wales @ ADFA, Australia, 1985 – 2004

Research Scientist, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia, 1976 – 1985

PhD from Bristol University, UK, Theory of Computation, 1976

It is my great pleasure to teach students and work with researchers who have an unquenched thirst and passion for study and research,” says the professor.
While stressing the importance of the academic excellence, the Professor also hopes that “SNU students keep in mind that they should not settle for what they are, being part of the most privileged school, but return their knowledge and competence to society with a sense of responsibility.”

The interview above is adopted from SNU Magazine 'With SNU' vol. 1

Professor Piotr Jablonski Ph.D. from the Warsaw University, Poland. School of Biological Sciences Professor Piotr Jablonski found both love and career in Korea. He gave up his Habilitation to come to SNU with his Korean wife. Since then, Professor Jablonski has conducted a thorough research on a rare variety of birds inhabiting in the DMZ in Korea and published his papers in the world-known journals, such as “Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology” and “Evolution.”

                                                                                      Researcher, the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, 1990~2006

                                                                                      Ph.D. from Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Ecology, 1991

After teaching for one semester at SNU, he says, “People warned me that Korean students are passive and that it’s difficult to get any response in the class. But I think that the students who I am teaching ecology to are just as active as any students in Poland or the USA.”

When asked about his impression on Korea, he expresses his satisfaction by saying that “Korea is a very safe country. I do not feel the tension that I had when I was living in New York.”

The interview above is adopted from The SNU English-language Magazine 'Quill' vol. 12

 

Professor Roland Breitenfeld Professor Roland Breitenfeld has been in charge of producing electronic music in various concerts in Germany and has both theoretical background and practical experience as a composer and a performing musician in the field of electronic music. “I'd like to thank my dear colleagues at the College of Music for their very kind way to welcome and treat me and also for their support with the work at the university.

Established the K.O.-Studio in Freiburg, staging of computer based music 1998~
Accepted a scholarship of the State of Baden-Württemberg, 1995/1996

MA from University of Freiburg, Electronic and Computer Music, Germany

They made it easier for me to start and that not only when I found out that they also speak my language,” says Professor Breitenfeld and adds:  “The barriers of the language were very low as well, because I could teach in English and if needed we could translate directly from Korean to German and vice versa because some students do speak German.”  

“I have been to many concerts in Korea and was impressed by the high quality of the performing of the musicians. There were outstanding new compositions as well as older pieces of the Korean tradition or also some of the European masters like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach or some even in Europe little known old masters like Johann Dismas Zelenka who lived and worked in my city of birth: Dresden, many centuries ago,” marvels the Professor.

The content above is adopted from SNU Magazine <서울대사람들> vol.10

 

Professor Kimura Junpei Professor Kimura Junpei is one of the foremost scholars in animal anatomy and is widely known for his lectures using high-technology machines and 3D technology. “I was impressed by huge and beautiful campus of SNU. There are many hilly roads, however, this will be good for his health,” says the Professor. Professor Kimura feels very comfortable in Korea. “I am accustomed to the fragrance of Kimchi and the very spicy cuisine already. I also mastered how to drink Soju without experiencing hangovers,” laughs Professor Kimura. After meeting students in the veterinary anatomy class, the Professor says that “the students are polite and smart.” Professor Kimura has is a hope reaching beyond campus. “I hope that my work in education and research in SNU contributes to the strengthening of relations between Korea and other countries, especially Asian countries, including Japan,” adds Professor Kimura. The content above is adopted from SNU Magazine '서울대사람들' vol. 13

Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 2008~
Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Japan

Professor Robin L. Cooper Professor Cooper stayed at SNU for a month with Dr. Kaang’s research group in the Department of Biological Science as a visiting professor. “Concerns American researchers have about working in a foreign lab is difficultly in language and traveling out side the lab setting for tourism. Well, let me put any American at ease. These potential concerns are not at all an issue while traveling to Seoul, South Korea. In addition,

                                                                                       Visiting Professor, Department of Biology, Seoul National University, 2007
                                                                                       Professor, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky 1996~
                                                                                        Ph.D., Physiology, Texas Tech Sch. of Med., 1989

if your host lab is within the most elite university in Korea, Seoul National University, one will find that all the students read and speak English very well,” points out Professor Cooper.  
The Professor thinks that “the work ethic is very encouraging because one realizes that no time is wasted and that efficient research effort is what is strived for by graduate students and their mentors. In the host lab where I worked, I found that the students were extremely helpful to one another in each others’ projects.”

Professor Cooper says that “1 month stay has provided ample time to get to know each other and discuss finer details on the various research topics. A shorter time would not have allowed the sustained interactions that I see forthcoming.”

The interview above is adopted from SNU Magazine '서울대 사람들' vol. 8

April 7, 2008
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