Korea Aerospace University (KAU) is holding the 2024 KAU International Academic Exchange Program in Uzbekistan with KAU students engaging in summer volunteering activities from July 22 to August 1  The volunteer group built friendships with local students, sharing educational programs based on aerospace knowledge and Korean culture.

This year, a group of fifteen volunteers, including thirteen attending students and two school staff members, visited Tashkent State Transport University (TSTU) and the local Korean Education Center to conduct four programs: ground paragliding training, DIY drone race, creating supersized planetariums, and Korean food experience.

“I heard paragliding was rare in Uzbekistan due to the low winds and flat terrain, so I prepared the equipment in advance from Korea. I felt my work was worthwhile thanks to the joy it brought to the Uzbek students,” said Kim Do-ha (Dept. of Aerospace Electronics and Information Engineering; enrolled in 2021), who participated in the paragliding experience volunteer program.

Local students also showed great interest in other programs, including autonomous flight drills with hand-made drones and the Korean food experience, where they cooked and shared tteokbokki and rice balls.

After completing the academic exchange program, the volunteer group visited Uzbekistan’s most notable tourist sites, such as Samarkand and Bukhara, before returning safely to Korea.

The group leader Cho Eun-jae (Dept. of Aeronautical Science & Flight Operation; enrolled in 2019) commented, “We were thrilled to see local students show their love for Korea and enthusiastically participate in our programs. I am grateful for my fellow members who gave their everything despite the hot weather, local students who greeted us with sincere hearts, and officials of both universities who gave us this priceless opportunity.”