Our world is becoming smaller. We might advocate the current global changes or dread them, but in the end we are all on the same boat facing the rise of this new era. We might have different opinions on how to react to these changes, but what we definitely can not neglect is the rising global interdependence that increasingly affects all our lives. Many people, especially those who are not confronted with international issues on a daily basis, might not really be aware of the effects of globalization. Yet, if issues like the Korea-US FTA or the current financial crisis arouse massive public disputes, we can see that everybody’s life is affected. For me, a German citizen studying in a Korean University, globalization is omnipresent. It concerns my life on a daily basis, as a European expatriate in Asia, as well as professionally, as a student of "International Studies" and "Comparative Culture & Literature". In order to explain my approach on Globalization, I first want to explain about my background and what brought me to study here at Yonsei University. Before I came to Korea I had already studied for about two years in Strasbourg, France. After I graduated from high school in 2003, I had moved to the "Capital of Europe", because I had been very interested in the process of European Unification and the Franco-German culture and art movement. While I studied French language in an international language institute I had the chance to meet friends from all over the world, especially from Asia, Africa and South America. Soon it became clear to me that I wanted to extend my cultural horizon and I entered the Department of Foreign Culture and Literature where I wanted to specialize in East Asian Languages. I decided to move to Korea in winter 2005/2006, a time when student riots had incapacitated large parts of French university education. During that time I had already realized that I did not want to become a scholar of East Asian Culture and Literature, but rather a specialist who would be able to use his expertise in foreign languages and cultures more creatively and innovatively in various fields such as politics, business and cultural studies. Many of my Korean friends in France, expatriates themselves, with a strong interest in Eurasian relations, supported me and helped me to start a new life in Korea. There where multiple reasons for me to choose Korea over other Asian countries. My concern for the Korean reunification was certainly one. I was also drawn to Korea because of its reputation as a country that emphasized traditional values as well as technical innovation and its strategic importance as a geographical hub in East Asia. I personally chose Yonsei, because of the liberal arts background on which its education and especially the Underwood International College are founded on. The emphasis of the liberal arts lies in an education that is meant to form the student’s character rather than providing a mere professional education. This emphasis is crucial. It is the strength that distinguishes our University essentially from other Schools in Asia. In these changing times, a liberal arts education has the potential to impart knowledge that is not only necessary for a future career. Additionally and more importantly it provides skills that enable us to analyze and understand present changes in our world critically and to find solutions for upcoming problems in our societies. The notion of learning for its own sake, which is incorporated in the liberal arts, is it that brings us closer to the Truth. The truth that according to Yonsei’s motto will also set us free. I study at Yonsei University, because the curriculum provides me with a wide variety of knowledge and intellectual skills. As a University with a rising international outlook, Yonsei has the potential to become a bridge between oriental and occidental cultures. At the same time, it is my dream to become a bridge between people. I hope to achieve universal knowledge in order to place my skills into service for international understanding and a social globalization. I strongly believe that globalization is rather another step in the evolution of mankind than a mere business trend. The globalization of economy has to be accompanied by a globalization of justice, equality and environmental consciousness. That is why I think that the globalizing world needs international educated leaders with a human and social awareness and a high responsibility their social, political and biological environment. This is one of my main visions for the future of Korea our world as a whole and I am glad to be able to share this vision with all Yonseians. by Konrad Becker Underwood International College Student