Lee Young-hoon, left, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church and chairman of the Global Elim Foundation, poses with Monica Viviana Pinzon Bobadilla, a student from Colombia attending Ewha Womans University, after presenting her with a scholarship certificate during a ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church
The Global Elim Foundation, established by Yoido Full Gospel Church to support multicultural communities, granted scholarships to 33 international students from 27 different countries on Friday, with the aim of helping them grow into global leaders and settle successfully into Korean society.
Since its launch in 2022, the foundation has supported approximately 240 international students. It serves as a hub for multicultural support by offering counseling and education, and plans to expand its programs to help more students and immigrants settle into Korean society.
Lee Young-hoon, the chairman of the foundation and senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, congratulated the scholarship recipients and said the foundation was created to bring people together regardless of their country or culture.
"Today’s gathering is more than a luncheon because our hearts build the boundaries of nation, culture and language," Lee said. "Studying abroad is never an easy journey as the challenges of language barriers, financial burdens and loneliness can be overwhelming."
He further encouraged the students to view themselves as vital links between their home countries and Korea.
"You are not merely visitors, but precious bridges connecting our nations," the chairman said. "The foundation remains committed to working closely with embassies to promote international friendship and the development of future leaders."
Andrew Chernetsky, the Belarusian Ambassador to Korea, expressed his gratitude for the foundation’s role in supporting young talent during difficult times. He added that such efforts improve the global standing of Korea's education system.
"Your noble mission helps millions of young people find themselves in an uneasy nowadays reality," Chernetsky said. "By supporting the education of talented representatives of different nations, you have strengthened the image of Korea’s higher educational system as one of the most advanced in the world."
Monica Viviana Pinzon Bobadilla from Colombia, a student at Ewha Womans University, received the scholarship certificate on behalf of the recipients.
Source: Korea Times News
