Columbus State President Dr. Stuart Rayfield travels to South Korea
'I'm here from June 1st, we left on the 1st and arrived on the 2nd and we leave on the 11th. And I'm already thinking about what it's like when I'm come back to South Korea,' said Rayfield.
Her mission in South Korea was to expand CSU's relationship with multiple South Korean institutes. President Rayfield met with two universities and the K-Entrepreneur Institute. K-Entrepreneur actually has a unique story, because it was once an elementary school. The school became a business school because some of the country's most successful alumni.
'The founders of LG, Samsung and GS all went to the same elementary school at around the same time,' said Rayfield.
While South Korea and Columbus are worlds apart, Dr. Rayfield explained there are some powerful lessons she's learned about leadership.
'They're really all founded on servant leadership,' said Rayfield. 'That has been really meaningful conversations to be able to connect what we do in Columbus, Georgia and the values of what's important to us.'
Several students and CSU faculty also travelled to South Korea along with Dr. Rayfield. The group has visited multiple cultural stops that included Buddhist temples, national landmarks and schools. It was also undeniable to see how the CSU students world view expanded on this trip.
'So the students got to talk about what we're some of their expectations coming to Korea and what have their experiences been like since they've been here,' Rayfield said. 'It's one of the most powerful things of this trip…was sitting there during this trip during that hour long bus ride and hearing from students.'
Dr. Rayfield realized in just these few days in South Korea how important the international relationship is between the Peach State and South Korea.
'South Korea is the 3rd largest foreign investor in the state of Georgia,' Rayfield said. 'We have an opportunity to build some great relationships and I look forward to that.'
Dr. Rayfield ends her visit in South Korea on June 11th.
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