Gwangju International Center

Gwangju International Center (GIC)

GIC was established in June 1999 by the Gwangju Citizens’ Alliance through the suggestion of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Government, GIC organizes various supporting systems to provide foreigners living or visiting Gwangju with comprehensive information on Korea as well as Gwangju and Jeollanam-do.

GIC’s objective is to help develop a heightened community spirit, as well as forming various networks of cultural exchange. For this objective, GIC provides a means for exchange between locals and foreigners; contributing to forming a positive image of Gwangju as a global future-oriented city.

GIC Programs:

1. International Cultural Exchange

• GIC Talk 지구촌시민강좌: It is a weekly talk program, promoting communication and intercultural understanding between Koreans and international residents. Every Saturday at 3 p.m. at the GIC office.

GIC Talk

• Gwangju International Community Day 광주국제교류의 날 The event celebrates the cultural diversity for Gwangju City, featuring food, music and performances from Gwangju’s international residents, to be shared and enjoyed with the community.
• May Concert 오월음악회 The May concert promotes democracy and human rights to third world countries. The profits have been used to support human rights organization in different Asian countries and migrant workers.
• Gwangju Experience Tour Program 외국인 유학생 광주체험프로그램 The program is designed for international students and takes place every October. The aim of this program is to acquaint students with civil affairs of Gwangju and to give them an opportunity to experience the cultural, industrial and tourist scenes in Gwangju.
• International Collaboration 국제협력 The program is designed to support the third world countries.
• Domestic Collaboration 국내협력 The program includes UNESCO Asian Youth Culture Festival, which is run to promote harmony and unity among Asian youth, providing a place for youth to overcome barriers of language and culture; and Asian Youth Culture Camp, which provides a place for promising youths to discuss and debate pending issues.

2. Services for International Residents

GIC has Korean language classes every week, offering particapants the opportunity to have a better understanding of Korean culture, as well as learn the language. The GIC Korean language class has become a place for cultural exchange as well as performing its role of Korean language education.

• Counseling Service 외국인 생활상담 GIC Couseling Service helps foreign residents and tourists in Gwangju with various problems, and seeks to answer any questions they may encounter during their stay in Korea. We provide a wide range of information on transportation, education, tourism, residence, medicine, immigration, etc.  Send e-mail to giccounseling@gmail.com (condition applied for translation service)
• GIC Library GIC도서실 The GIC library first began with only 30 books, and has grown rapidly thanks to the continued contributions of GIC members, now with over 3,000 books! The library’s collection consists of many current and popular books in English.

GIC Library

3. Publications and Translations

• Gwangju News 광주뉴스Gwangju News provide information to foreign visitors and residents in Gwangju, equipping them with deeper understanding and practical knowledge of the Gwangju and Jeollanam-do area.  Gwangju News not only takes a role as an information provider for foreigners but also promotes Gwangju citizens’ awareness of globalization and their interests in the issues of the local community.
• Gwangju Guidebook  광주가이드북

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  Gwangju Guidebook

  Gwangju Guidebook provides a wealth of information to foreign students and residents in Gwangju. The existing Gwangju Guidebook is published in English and Chinese.

• Human Rights Publications 인권도서 GIC sponsors a number of human rights publications through translation, publication and distribution.
• Translation Service 번역 GIC provides a professional translation service for businesses, individuals and scholars.

4. Training and Education Program

• GIC Internship GIC 인턴쉽 This is an opportunity to develop practical ability on the ground and to experience various cultures.
• Overseas Internship 해외인턴쉽 GIC offers an opportunity to work in overseas human rights associations such as the Human Rights Office and Asian Human Rights Commission.