The Asan Nanum Foundation launched an overseas internship program to help about 1,000 college students obtain experience at Korean companies operating abroad, the foundation said Thursday.

The Youth Overseas Internship Program will be the largest in the country where the curriculum includes six months of first-hand experience in overseas operations of Korean firms across China, India, Russia, Brazil and the Middle Eastern countries. The first batch of 200 students will be placed at overseas branches of Hyundai Heavy Industries across 11 countries. It is the world’s largest shipbuilder headquartered in the southeastern coastal city of Ulsan.

“We plan to expand our curriculum to help students land internships at U.N. agencies,” an official at the foundation said.

The Asan Nanum Foundation was established by the Hyundai clan including Grand National Party lawmaker Chung Mong-joon, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and family members in September. It was founded to help youths from poorer families with opportunities for a good education in memory of the late founder of the Hyundai Group Chung Ju-yung, who passed away 10 years ago.
By Cynthia J. Kim (cynthiak@heraldcorp.com)