Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall

George Mason University Korea welcomed its newest Patriots at the Fall 2026 Convocation on August 22, bringing together students, faculty, university leadership, and members of the Incheon Global Campus community to mark the start of a new academic year.

This fall’s incoming class includes students from nine countries: Korea, the United States, Mongolia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Spain, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. International students make up more than 40% of the incoming class, reflecting the continued growth of Mason Korea’s global community.

Across the campus, students now represent 17 countries, bringing a wide range of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to classrooms and campus life. Mason Korea continues to strengthen its presence on both sides of the Pacific and recently recorded 12.2% enrollment growth.

Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs and a founding member of Mason Korea, traveled from Fairfax to join the celebration and welcome the incoming class. Ju Young Byun, CEO of the Incheon Global Campus Foundation, also delivered congratulatory remarks during the ceremony.

Campus Dean Joshua Park welcomed the new students by emphasizing the value of learning in an international community at a time when technology is rapidly transforming education and the workplace.

“Bringing together students from different countries and backgrounds gives them the opportunity to challenge one another’s perspectives and learn from experiences that no artificial intelligence can replicate,” Park said. “Mason Korea is committed to helping our students develop the global competencies they need to succeed wherever their paths may take them.” 

Students at Mason Korea follow the same curriculum and earn the same George Mason degrees as their counterparts in Virginia, with undergraduate students spending three years in Korea and one year at the Fairfax Campus. This experience gives students the opportunity to study across two countries while building academic, professional, and personal connections in both Korea and the United States.