A group of 15 high-achieving Korean young adults has arrived in Sydney as part of the inaugural Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Program, a three-week leadership and career development initiative supported by Icheon City. The program marks a meaningful step forward in fostering future leaders and strengthening people-to-people ties between South Korea and Australia.
Selected through a highly competitive process, these emerging scholars represent a new generation of globally minded professionals. The delegation is led by Dr Seohyun Bae, Director of the Global Institute of Education and Culture at the Pyeongtaek University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation .
Throughout their stay, the students are undertaking intensive English language training at the University of Sydney’s Centre for English Teaching, supported by a program of cultural immersion and professional learning. This includes structured site visits and expert-led sessions aimed at deepening their understanding of Australian society, industry, and innovation.
Prior to their arrival, the delegation engaged in virtual learning sessions with leading Australian organisations including Janison, a technology and assessment company, and English Australia, the peak body for the English language teaching sector. These sessions provided valuable context on Australia’s global education standards and digital learning capabilities. Special thanks were extended to Sujata Stead, CEO of Janison, and Sophie O’Keefe, General Manager of Operations at English Australia, for their generous insights.
In Sydney, the students have already participated in a professional development session hosted by the City of Sydney, where they were welcomed by Jinger Pan, Project Manager of City Business & Safety, and Susana Ng, Senior Social Program Officer. The session introduced the International Student Leadership and Ambassador (ISLA) Program, with ISLA awardees sharing their own leadership journeys. The visit offered a meaningful perspective on civic engagement and student empowerment.
Over the coming weeks, the delegation will also visit The Bread & Butter Project, a social enterprise bakery that supports refugees and asylum seekers through training and employment, as well as Asia Advisory, a consultancy that helps Australian institutions connect with Asian markets through strategy and partnerships.
The students are living with local homestay families organised by OZiHOUSE Group, allowing them to experience Australian life firsthand, practise their English, and build lasting relationships within the community.
This program is more than just a cultural exchange – it is an investment in the future of Korea-Australia relations. By equipping these young leaders with global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding, both countries stand to benefit from deeper collaboration and enduring friendships for years to come.
Daniel Yuen is Head of Operations and Growth at OZiHouse.