ABOUT - Underwood International College

Greetings from Yonsei University’s Underwood International College (UIC)!

At the close of last year, we celebrated our 20^th anniversary. UIC began modestly in 2005 as a small but intrepid experiment in global liberal arts tertiary education, and over the last two decades has blossomed into Yonsei University’s second largest college and flagship international program. UIC commenced as a single international division comprised of only 5 majors and fewer than 100 students, but was soon elevated to the status of a separate college within Yonsei. Today UIC brings together 3 separate divisions, 16 distinct majors, a graduate school offering both master’s and doctoral programs, and 3,500 students from 81 different countries. Despite this impressive record, however, we are in fact not something completely new or independent. Named in honor of Yonsei’s founder, Horace G. Underwood, UIC is rather the most recent and natural expression of Yonsei’s 140-year history and tradition as a global and collaborative institution of higher learning.         

When I arrived at Yonsei in 2005, one semester prior to UIC’s official launch, almost no one could have predicted the rapid rise and overwhelming influence of Generative AI on higher education, and indeed the entire world. I remain, however, highly optimistic regarding the philosophical and curricular choices we made over two decades ago. Despite the rapidity and immensity of the technological changes confronting us, we are anchored in a constant: human nature. The more technology exponentially increases what is possible for human beings, the more crucial it is that we be able to discern what is truly desirable. Our curriculum has always focused on a deep understanding and embodiment of this truth through critical engagement with the great works, minds, and events of human history. It is precisely this training and the resulting discernment that will ensure that we continue to produce graduates who are at once academically outstanding and well prepared for future global challenges.

 Sincerely,

John M. Frankl
Dean of Underwood International College