Samsung Dream Class
Supporting students’ dream-seeking journey
Samsung Dream Class is a youth education program that provides under-resourced middle school students with multi-faceted career and academic mentoring from university students, Samsung employees and industry experts. To ensure that a student's circumstances do not limit their dreams, the program introduces a hybrid education system, offering diverse learning experiences through online and in-person mentoring, winter and spring camps, and Samsung affiliate experience events. In addition to foundational academics, it provides career education to help students shape their aspirations, alongside training in future-ready skills that are essential in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Education to prepare for their dream
By collaborating with universities and professional organizations, Samsung Dream Class provides three core curricula to help youth prepare for their dreams: career exploration, future capability training and basic subject learning. In the career exploration course, youth can design their careers through aptitude tests and work experience activities. Future capability training helps equip youth with communication, global, numeracy and software skills required for Industry 4.0. Lastly, the basic subject learning course provides students with personalized learning in English and mathematics.
Systematic mentoring from various mentors
Samsung Dream Class provides diverse mentoring led by college students, Samsung employees and learning experts. Each college student mentor oversees 10 middle school students, offering one-on-one coaching both online and offline every week. Samsung employees introduce their professions and lead clubs to help students experience diverse opportunities and achievements. They also offer career advice and counseling to the college student mentors. For specialized areas like career development, IT and reading, outside experts provide in-depth mentoring to the students.
Face-to-face events for active learning
During the summer break, Samsung Dream Class hosts a nationwide summer camp. Students can meet their mentors in person to build rapport and supplement their learning. During the winter break, students can apply for the Samsung Dream Class winter camp to take personalized educational courses and develop their learning strategies. Throughout the semester, Samsung Dream Class organizes Samsung office visits, enabling students to discover new interests and broaden their career perspectives.
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The turning point of my life
A Korean national of Iranian descent, Soo-ji Kang, faced challenges adapting to Korea's education system after moving from Iran. During her tough middle school years, a university student mentor became her turning point, helping her improve academically and discover her passion for foreign languages. This support led her to enter Gimhae Foreign Language High School in 2015 and Korea University in 2018. Inspired by her mentor, she began volunteering as a Dream Class mentor to give back to others. In 2022, she achieved her dream of joining Samsung Electronics and continues to mentor middle school students through the Dream Class program. In 2024, she reunited with her former mentor on YouTube, sharing a heartwarming moment that inspired many.
The turning point of my life
A Korean national of Iranian descent, Soo-ji Kang, faced challenges adapting to Korea's education system after moving from Iran. During her tough middle school years, a university student mentor became her turning point, helping her improve academically and discover her passion for foreign languages. This support led her to enter Gimhae Foreign Language High School in 2015 and Korea University in 2018. Inspired by her mentor, she began volunteering as a Dream Class mentor to give back to others. In 2022, she achieved her dream of joining Samsung Electronics and continues to mentor middle school students through the Dream Class program. In 2024, she reunited with her former mentor on YouTube, sharing a heartwarming moment that inspired many.
A truly memorable experience with Samsung Dream Class
Jaerim Choi, who had perfect attendance in Samsung Dream Class throughout her three years of middle school, entered the Gyeonggi Academy of Foreign Languages and was selected as a Dream Scholarship student. In 2018, she entered SKKU as a philosophy major and participated in Samsung Dream Class again, this time as a college student mentor. While doing her best as a mentor, she also excelled in her studies and prepared for the Grade 5 Open Competitive Promotion Examination. In 2022, she passed the exam and was appointed as a Grade 5 civil servant. “The help I received from Samsung Dream Class from my middle school years until today was the foundation of my success,” Jaerim said, after her appointment. “Samsung Dream Class was an invaluable experience for my personal growth, and I hope to work at the Ministry of Health and Welfare to help others.”
From a college student mentor to a Samsung employee
Taejeong Kim, who joined Samsung Dream Class as a college student mentor at Yongsan Middle School, returned to the school once again after becoming a Samsung employee. “It feels so special to meet middle school and college students as an employee mentor,” he said. When asked what he wanted to pass on to Samsung Dream Class mentees, he shared he wanted to give them the courage to believe “I can do it.” “I didn’t like studying that much when I was a student, but I found my motivation: a dream of becoming an engineer. That led me here today,” Taejeong said, reflecting on his past. “Just saying ‘You should study’ will only sound like nagging to students. I believe telling them, ‘I tried it and it was really helpful, so maybe you should try it too,’ resonates with them more. I hope students can find their own shiny dreams through this mentoring.”
A Samsung employee from the first Samsung Dream Class cohort
Eunjin Jeong was in her final year of middle school when she participated in the first cohort of Samsung Dream Class. Eight years later, she became a Samsung Electronics employee. When she was in middle school, she couldn’t attend after-school tutoring academies due to her father’s business difficulties. “If I didn’t have Samsung Dream Class when I was in middle school, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” she said. “I was desperate and Samsung Dream Class was a priceless learning opportunity for me.” At that time, Eunjin met two KAIST mentors through the program. With the help of her mentors and her own hard work, she graduated from a science high school in only two years and entered CAU as a four-year scholarship student. “Being a Samsung Dream Class mentor was the first thing I did during my first summer break as a college student,” she explained. “I wanted to help students who felt insecure about their futures due to their family circumstances.”
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