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First Step to the Global Stage, Meet Cheongju University GTEP

The Cheongdae Times Newspaper Regular Reporter Eunjung shin

Our school is striving to cultivate global trade talents through practical-oriented education. In particular, the Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Training Project (GTEP), which is operated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Support, is attracting attention as a representative program that helps students experience actual trade sites beyond theory. Currently, students from various majors are participating in practical trade activities such as overseas fairs, e-commerce practice, and buyer discovery to develop their global business capabilities.

Starting from the initial "Trade Incubator" project, it was integrated into the "Global Trade Expert Training Project," and since then, it has been expanded and reorganized into the current "Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Training Project (GTEP)." These changes reflect the flow of the trade environment and industrial demand and can be seen as a process to establish a more effective talent training system.

Starting from the initial "Trade Incubator" project, it was integrated into the "Global Trade Expert Training Project," and since then, it has been expanded and reorganized into the current "Regional Specialized Youth Trade Expert Training Project (GTEP)." These changes reflect the flow of the trade environment and industrial demand and can be seen as a process to establish a more effective talent training system.

▲ GTEP website (business organization structure)

GTEP stands for 'Global Trade Experiences Incubating Program', which means a project to cultivate regional specialized youth trade experts. This project is being promoted as a key task to create new export engines and further promote sustainable growth of the Korean economy through the globalization of small and medium-sized companies. In particular, the importance of expanding entry into overseas markets is increasing due to the rapid change in the trade environment in recent years, and the need for professional manpower with high understanding of each region and market is being emphasized.

In line with this trend, GTEP provides more than 480 hours of systematic education and practice for college students. Through this, it aims to cultivate customized youth trade experts for each overseas specialized region and ultimately support local domestic and export companies to enter overseas markets. It is significant in that it focuses on producing talents with practical skills beyond simple theoretical education.

▲ GTEP College of Business Selection

Currently, a total of 20 universities across the country are participating in the GTEP project, and it is divided by region. First, three universities, Konkuk University, Kyunghee University, and Soongsil University, are participating in the Seoul area, while six universities, Kangwon National University, Dankook University, Incheon National University, Inha National University of Korean Engineering, and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, are included in the central area. A total of seven universities, Mokpo National University, Suncheonhyang University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Cheongju University, and Chungbuk National University, are participating in the project, and four universities, Dongguk University, Pukyong National University, Yeongnam University, and Inje National University, are participating in the project. As such, the GTEP project is operated based on a nationwide university network and is establishing a human resources training system that reflects regional characteristics and industrial environment.

▲ GTEP College of Business Selection

Looking at the eligibility for application for the 20th recruitment guidelines of our school, regardless of major and department, all 3rd and 4th graders as of 2026 can apply. However, from January 2026, you must be able to work faithfully for about 12 months without giving up, and conditions to participate in some educational programs during the semester as well as during the vacation are required. In addition, it is suggested that it is essential to participate in the TOEIC camp on campus, and it is impossible to take a leave of absence during the project period.

Preferential conditions include students with high enthusiasm for study, school life, employment/start-up activities, etc., and those with language grades (with a regular TOEIC score of 700 or more) are given preferential treatment. In addition, students with experience participating in the TOEIC camp on campus and those with trade-related certificates are also eligible for preferential treatment. In addition, consideration for children from multicultural families and low-income families are included, providing opportunities for students from various backgrounds.

The selection process consists of document screening and interview screening, after which the final successful candidates are announced. When submitting documents, you must submit an application for support for the regional specialized youth trade expert training project, as well as various supporting documents such as trade-related certificates, language report cards, and transcripts.

▲ 20th GTEP recruitment poster

Meanwhile, Cheongju University GTEP is a university that trains young trade experts specialized in Latin America, and is focusing on cultivating talented people with expertise in the region. Participating students will complete a total of 5,000 hours and 15 credits of education program for one year, and if they complete all courses, they can obtain a certificate in the name of the Minister of Industry and Trade Support. In particular, field-oriented learning will be conducted through industry-academic cooperation activities with local companies, and customized education will be conducted in the Latin American market. In addition, various programs such as participation in overseas fairs, e-commerce education, cooperative capacity enhancement camps, trade-related certificate education, and field training can be operated to simultaneously strengthen students' practical competency and global sense.

▲ GTEP Completion Qualification Table

In this regard, we heard the story of Jeong Su-yeol, a senior in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, who is currently participating in our university's GTEP program. 

 
▲ Jeong Su-yeol taking a commemorative photo with an overseas buyer at the 2026 Vietnam Hanoi General Trade Fair.

Q. What made you apply for GTEP?

A. I thought it was a difficult opportunity to obtain as a university student that I could gain experience in e-commerce operations based on the Shopee platform and participate in domestic and overseas fairs through MOUs with companies. Also, I applied because I thought companies would need talented people with trade-related knowledge and experience amid the trend of expanding the market globally.

Q. What are the pros and cons of this program activity?

A. The advantage is that you can participate in practical activities that are difficult to experience as a college student, so you can gain differentiated experiences, and through this, you can create competitive specifications that help you get a job. The downside is that you have to take at least 12 credits in trade-related subjects to complete GTEP, so it can be a burden if you lack credit conditions. Also, attending domestic and overseas exhibitions during the semester may affect students' grade management. 

Q. What is the most memorable activity you did while participating in the program?

A. I think the most memorable experience is the moment when we went through the process of promoting and preparing our team to enter into an MOU with the company and actually signing the MOU after the meeting.

Q. How did GTEP activities affect your career path/self?

A. Through GTEP activities, we were able to broaden our perspectives and build richer knowledge, and as a result, we also expanded our thoughts and had a positive impact on choosing a career path.

Q. There were some activities in this program abroad, but what kind of activities do you do abroad?

A. Students will apply together in line with the schedule of companies participating in overseas fairs, and B2B and B2C counseling will be conducted for buyers or customers at the fair site. It also introduces our company and products directly and contributes to the smooth operation of corporate fairs in general.

Q. Did this program make you more interested in areas related to trade?

A. I haven't had a direct interest in trade-related fields yet, but I think GTEP activities have broadened my thoughts and thoughts by meeting friends from various departments as well as the Department of Trade, which helped me a lot in choosing and preparing for my future career path.

Q. Lastly, do you recommend this program to your juniors, and for which students would it suit them?

A. If you are preparing for a career in sales, marketing, service, and management, I recommend GTEP activities. I think that various activities performed by the program can be usefully used for self-introduction and portfolio in the future. Also, since GTEP activities for one year are conducted based on team projects, I think communication skills, the most important factor in team play, are important. Therefore, I think it is the program that best suits students who can communicate smoothly with various people.

Through this interview, it was confirmed that the GTEP program is the foundation for further growth through practical experiences beyond simple education. It is positioning itself as a place of opportunity for students to experience the global market firsthand and expand their possibilities on their own. In the changing international trade environment, these programs will be an important factor in strengthening students' career design and employment competitiveness. In the future, it is expected to play an important role in cultivating future trade talents through various practical-oriented activities.