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An affiliation between the University of New Haven and the Korean National Police University enables criminal justice students from both schools to explore a new country and experience a different culture.

November 25, 2019

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

For Donovan Boynton ’20, his studies last fall took him halfway around the globe. As part of the University of New Haven’s exchange program with the Korean National Police University (KNPU), Boynton spent the semester living and learning in South Korea. Since KNPU has exchange programs with schools around the world, Boynton studied with and befriended students from China, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.

“Studying at KNPU with the best and brightest from the Republic of Korea gave me a new perspective on foreign policy and policing while I studied with the next generation of national police officers,” said Boynton, a national security major. “While traditional study abroad programs offer a degree of immersion in a foreign country, the exchange program with KNPU landed me on the opposite side of the planet in a country completely unfamiliar to me, and this helped me to develop many important skills.”

Recently, five representatives from KNPU made the trip to the United States. They visited the University of New Haven, toured the campus, and met with students, faculty, and staff. University of New Haven President Steven Kaplan, Ph.D. and Joon-seob Lee, Ph.D., KNPU chief superintendent general and president, took part in a signing ceremony to extend the exchange program between the two institutions.

“Studying abroad is no longer an add-on for students – it’s a necessity,” said David Schroeder, Ph.D., acting dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. “The exchange program is a wonderful experience for our students that enables them to experience a new country and culture while learning from criminal justice experts and students from around the world.”

Students don’t need to know Korean to study at KNPU, since classes are taught in English. They also have native Korean students as roommates, as part of KNPU’s buddy system. They are a 40 minute train ride from Seoul, the nation’s capital.

One of the guests from KNPU was Shinyoung “Esther” Seo, who provides support for exchange students. During her time on campus, she sat in on a criminal justice class and told students about the program and KNPU, discussing the cultural learning opportunities, campus life, and alumni success. She says she enjoyed meeting students and exploring the campus.

"The exchange program is a wonderful experience for our students that enables them to experience a new country and culture while learning from criminal justice experts and students from around the world."David Schroeder, Ph.D.

“The campus is very open and accessible, and the students are very respectful and conscientious,” said Seo. “I told the students that studying at KNPU is a wonderful opportunity. Our graduates have excellent opportunities around the world.”

For Boynton, studying abroad developed his confidence and sparked a desire to continue to travel and learn about the world. He is now studying at the University’s campus in Prato, Italy.

“Living abroad was unforgettable, and it is necessary for someone planning a career in political science or national security,” said Boynton. “Studying at KNPU and living in South Korea made me feel much more comfortable traveling in foreign countries, and it gave me a passion for exploring other cultures.”