Is the Residential College Making a Difference in Students?

-Results of Comprehensive Survey Released

Yonsei University’s Residential College (RC) at the International Campus (YIC) in Songdo provides an Ivy League-style educational environment in which living and learning are combined. Modelled after elite universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Oxford, Yonsei’s RC program is the first of its kind in Asia. Currently, there are over 4000 students enrolled in the program.  

Yonsei’s Wonju Campus was the first to operate an RC program, which began in 2007.  In 2011, the YIC RC was launched, welcoming students from Underwood International College (UIC), the Global Integrated Science and Engineering Division, Premed and Pre-dental programs, as well as the Open Major. The RC program was expanded in 2013 to include all freshmen, who were required to spend one semester in the RC; since 2014, all freshmen, with the exception of students from the Music School and College of Physical Education, have been required to enroll in the RC curriculum for a full year. Presently, there are twelve different residential houses at YIC, each with a unique theme, and they host students with a variety of backgrounds and interests.  Together, students enhance their leadership and communication skills, learn to productively interact with others, and take part in artistic, cultural, and community service activities.

Because freshman year comes at a critical juncture in students’ lives, as they transition from adolescence to adulthood, the RC program is designed to help them establish a strong foundation to become successful, motivated, and mature learners, while preparing them to become global leaders through community outreach programs and other activities. 

A key feature of the RC curriculum is Holistic Education (HE). These courses include: HE Arts and Culture, HE Physical Education, and Yonsei RC 101. The RC Comparative Curriculum, which complements HE courses, includes the following rubrics: Academic (RC Special Lectures, Reading and Presentation, Newsletter), Culture and Arts (RC Performance, REC), and Physical Activities (RC Olympics, Songdo Marathon, Goolisem).

In this issue, the Yonsei Newsletter shares the results of an extensive survey conducted to evaluate the RC program. The survey dealt with such factors as student satisfaction, the difference between students who have participated in the RC program (freshmen who entered Yonsei in 2014) and those who have not (students who entered in 2011), and the impacts of the RC upon the intellectual growth and personal development of students.

Survey Results: Students Benefit and Grow Thanks to RC Curriculum.

One portion of the survey asked for input from professors regarding the changes they witnessed in students. Many faculty members indicated that students who have gone through the RC program are more serious and active classroom participants compared to those who did have the RC experience.

Student satisfaction was another key component of the survey. To determine how students perceived their RC experience, the survey drew upon the results of previous surveys given out near the end of each semester by the RC to solicit feedback from students. Professors who advise RC students give out their own surveys regarding the curriculum, and these were also taken into consideration.

Student Evaluations of RC Life

Incoming freshmen at YIC are matched up with roommates from different majors so that they can gain new perspectives from fellow students who may have a different background, while learning to productively and considerately live together. The student evaluations of RC community life were largely positive: the majority of students said that they took their academic work seriously (3.8/5.0), abided by RC rules and regulations (4.2/5.0), and effectively coexisted with their roommates (4.2/5.0).

Comparison of Students Who Have Gone through the RC Program vs. Those Who Have Not

The survey found that students who receive an RC education seem to be more civic-minded and tend to participate in a larger number of artistic, cultural, volunteer, and physical activities. Compared to students who entered Yonsei in 2011, the RC students indicated that they had experienced a greater sense of academic and intellectual growth. They also felt that they were more independent and motivated.

The RC students expressed the belief that they had experienced significant growth in the areas of “Emotional Well-Being,” “Self-Understanding,” “Analytic and Critical Thinking Skills,” and “Capacity for Self-Directed Study.” These responses suggest that the RC program is achieving a productive balance between academic development and personal growth.

Furthermore, RC students reported growth in a number of other areas related to social values, such as tolerance, empathy and consideration for others, and aesthetic appreciation.

RC Program’s Emphasis on Personal Growth and Emotional Well-Being Leads to Increased Student Satisfaction

The RC program has placed an emphasis upon the personal growth and emotional well-being of students. As such, the university takes student opinions very seriously and makes every effort to address student concerns. This flexibility and responsiveness on the part of the administration seems to have resulted in greater satisfaction among students. 

Overall, RC students report greater satisfaction with their college life. They participate in more artistic and cultural activities and exercise more often. They also feel that they have developed strong social values, while significantly developing their intellectual and academic capabilities. 

According to the survey, there is still room for improvement. Students often complain that there are not enough elective courses for them to choose from at the YIC. They also believe that there should be more opportunities to interact with upperclassmen, and that the cafeterias should offer a wider array of food options. To address these concerns, efforts are ongoing to establish more meaningful connections between RC students and upperclassmen, while offering a greater number of attractive elective courses at YIC.