Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:40:21 +0000

Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program Katarina Benson Mon, 09/14/2026 - 14:40

91�� Korea students are taking their learning beyond the classroom. Through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Korea–Nepal Youth Exchange Program, students are gaining hands-on experience with global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable development.

Students presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome. Photo provided

The program, which was recently highlighted in a MoneyToday interview with Sangyong Lee, director of Mason Korea’s Career Development Center, allows students to explore how global challenges intersect with the economic, cultural, and social realities of local communities. Lee joined participating students in Nepal as they worked alongside local youth and communities saw the program’s impact firsthand.

“The students are growing from mere participants into active agents who put their heads together with Nepalese youth to brainstorm alternatives,” he said.

The program gives students opportunities to discover their potential through experience, particularly in environments that challenge them to work across cultures and address real-world issues.

Through field-based activities, the experience encouraged students to approach complex issues not only from an academic perspective, but also through collaboration, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding.

“The weeklong journey gave me an opportunity to see people’s lives and the future of local communities through agriculture, while learning about the direction of international cooperation by listening to voices on the ground,” said sophomore global affairs major Suhyun Bae.

The Nepal program builds on students’ participation in an FAO youth program in Laos last year. Following that experience, participating students developed content focused on climate-smart agriculture and later had the opportunity to present their work at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

This progression, from Laos to Rome to now Nepal, reflects an approach to global learning in which individual experiences can develop into longer-term academic and professional opportunities.

International programs like these are an important part of career preparation. Pre-departure preparation, field-based projects, post-program reflection, and career portfolio development help students connect what they experience abroad with their future academic and professional goals.

Participants in the FAO program. Photo provided.

These programs help students develop cross-cultural communication, collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, which are increasingly valued across international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, global companies, and other internationally focused careers.

“Although we came from different cultures and approached problems in different ways, those differences ultimately became a strength in our teamwork,” said Dayeon Shin, a junior majoring in global affairs.

By engaging directly with communities, students are gaining more than international exposure. They are learning how their academic knowledge, perspectives, and skills can contribute to global challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. The success of the FAO program has inspired the Career Development Center to continue developing opportunities with international organizations and exploring partnerships in areas including international development and environmental, social, and governance initiatives.

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Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program

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