Blurring the cultural boundaries between Sonoma County, Korea, and France, Sonoma State University welcomed Kisun Yoo, a professor from Jeonju University, Chonbuk, Korea, as a visiting scholar recently.
Yoo, whose major fields are the French language, wine and wine tasting, is conducting research for a Korean-language guide book on wine for Asian visitors to the area. He is working in conjunction with members of SSU's Wine Business Program.
Yoo, an associate professor in the Languages and Cultures Department at Jeonju University, lived in the Burgundy region France for seven years while learning about wine and viticulture in the area.
With the burgeoning popularity of North American wines, and specifically those of Napa and Sonoma Valley in Korea, Yoo was intrigued by the idea of writing a wine book paying special attention to those of Napa and Sonoma. He says he has found Sonoma County wine to be "of excellent quality."
Using a one-year sabbatical from Jeonju University, Yoo requested a place as a Visiting Scholar at Sonoma State University's Wine Business program in the School of Business and Economics.
Traveling from Korea with his wife and two sons, Yoo was welcomed by Sonoma State's School of Business and Economics faculty at a recent staff meeting.
"We are in a most unique, positive position," says Dr. James Robertson, Dean of the School of Business and Economics. "A Korean professor of French and wine, coming into a school of business and economics, on a year's sabbatical to write a book to include a focus on the wine country's wines."
Sonoma State University's School of Business and Economics educates aspiring and practicing professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs in the private and public sectors.
In addition to emphasizing the development and continuous improvement of the skills of critical analysis, problem solving, creativity, and effective communication, it also offers classes in wine business, lending a unique facet to their business administration curriculum.
