Since its initial founding in 1885 as Gwanghyewon—the first modern hospital in Korea—Yonsei has been driven by a spirit of sharing and service.  This tradition remains as strong as ever, with more than 6,800 Yonsei students and faculty members taking part in volunteer programs last year.  One reason for such strong participation is the Yonsei International Campus’s (YIC) Residential College (RC) program, which, since 2013, has made volunteer service an integral part of its curriculum.

A number of volunteer programs give Yonsei students the opportunity to act as mentors to elementary, middle, and high school students, particularly those who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to academic tutoring, these Yonsei volunteers expose their mentees to a variety of cultural experiences, while providing them with leadership training and guidance on being a teenager and planning for the future. Some of Yonsei’s most prominent community service projects include “YDMC” and “Dream Start” on the Sinchon Campus, the “Yon-In Project” at the YIC, Wonju’s “Murray Camp,” and the Medical School’s “Share and Donate.”

Yonsei is also the first university in the country to offer full scholarships and cost-of-living stipends to students who come from low-income households.