2023 Educational Visit from Kyungpook National University Middle School (KNUMS), South Korea, to KMJH

Crafting cherished memories at KMJH and in Taichung through engaging hands-on activities and the warm hospitality of host families

 

After a four-year hiatus due to COVID, our exchange visits were put on hold. However, we maintained our partnership through virtual means such as video calls, cultural boxes, and Padlet posts. The much-awaited and highly anticipated visit became a reality thanks to the dedicated efforts of various individuals, including my counterpart Jungran, Academic Director Amy, and subject as well as English teachers who crafted engaging classes. Additionally, host family parents and students played a crucial role in ensuring a memorable experience for our Korean visitors.

 

Opening Ceremony

 

Upon the bus's arrival, KMJH's staff and students from The Traditional Chinese Music Club were eagerly poised to welcome our guests, waving national flags from both countries. The well-prepared club students exhibited their remarkable skills, delivering beautiful melodies through synchronized and orchestra-like performances. We concluded the event by capturing group photos in the hall, proudly holding school flags and banners.

 

Both principals, Lin and Yun, delivered brief speeches to celebrate our sister school partnership, expressing warm welcomes and gratitude toward each other. Director Li from the Education Bureau, who played a crucial role in connecting KMJH and KNUMS with her counterpart in Daegu, joined us and extended a welcoming speech in English to the Korean delegation. I proceeded to recount the commencement of our bond, starting with the signing of the MOU and our initial visit four years ago, followed by a brief introduction to Taichung and KMJH.

 

Completely on a whim, we had students from both schools figure out who their partners were. They had exchanged pictures before the ceremony, and now it was time to put their facial recognition skills to the test. It was quite amusing to watch them walk around, attempting to find the right match. Despite the language barriers, lots of smiles and simple English came in handy as they finally met and greeted each other in person.

 

Crafting Connections:

A Creative Exploration of KMJH's Exchange Day Activities

 

With Director Amy's assistance, we assembled a team of subject and English teachers to conduct six interactive and hands-on classes, outlined below:

 

1.     English Readers’ Theater: Bring the story to life with beautiful voices and complementary body language

After a brief introduction to the competition and an explanation of what makes a good performance, the school RT team prepared a script and demonstrated how it should be done properly. With the assistance of the RT students, our Korean guests then rehearsed a small part of the story and eventually took the stage to give it a try. I was amazed that many of them did quite well for their first attempt.

 

2.     Bubble Milk Tea: Exploring its Origin, Fun Facts, and Crafting from Scratch

While most people know that Bubble Milk Tea (BMT) originated in Taiwan, few are aware that it specifically started here in Taichung. The ingredients for BMT are simple, but achieving the perfect balance requires careful calculations and each step needs precision. Chichi took on the challenge of setting up the equipment, offering assistance in shaping tapioca dough, and cooking with brown sugar. She was so dedicated that, fearing time constraints might lead to imperfect BMT, she even ordered some from outside. What a committed teacher she is!

 

3.     Escape Room Adventure: Deciphering Clues, Solving Riddles, and Unlocking Doors

 

Our Korean guests enjoyed the challenge of discovering hidden clues and connecting the dots with the help of prompts and questions. They also delved into the history of KMJH's homegrown escape room, exploring how it evolved into a unique course that showcases highlights of school life. A colleague guided them through the process of obtaining the correct number, entering it into the lock, and gaining access to a new confined compartment for an exciting new challenge.

 

4.     "Dance Showcase: Exploring KMJH's Dance Class Programs and Grooving Together

 

The Korean students kicked off the event with a surprise performance, singing the Mandarin pop song "Fairy Tale." They then wowed everyone with a lively K-Pop dance, eliciting cheers and applause from our Dance Class students. In a stark contrast, our students presented a dynamic display of dance, featuring ancient mythical Chinese monsters and elegant, graceful moves with fans. After some fun dance lessons and sharing cool moves, there were plenty of smiles and natural exchanges of greetings. Undoubtedly, the Korean delegation was impressed by our students' hard work and dedication to dancing."

 

5.     Calligraphy Creations: Crafting Positive Phrases and Designing Cards on Canva

 

In this class, my two colleagues, who teach Chinese, delivered the session entirely in English – quite impressive! I noticed some big yawns from a few Korean students, perhaps overwhelmed by the numerous classes, but they quickly came back to life once they focused on creating their cards. This alleviated some of my concerns. Although I took a break and grabbed some water in my office, upon my return, I found they were almost done with their cards, and most importantly, still feeling very much alive.

 

6.     String Embroidery with Envelope

 

Korean students and their host partners delved into the world of mathematical approximation and its real-life implications. They then began creating their own string art on a card by connecting the strings according to specific serial numbers. The class, led by a dedicated math teacher who designed and delivered it in English, concluded with each Korean student showcasing their works of both calligraphy and string embroidery cards with their host partners. Finally, we wrapped up the day on a creative note.

 

The Homestay Experience:

Welcoming Korean Guests into Taiwanese Homes

 

More than 30 students eagerly signed up for the host family audition following the promotion of the sister school partnership to the entire 7th and 8th-grade student body during a weekly assembly. After a short self-introduction and Q&A in English, around twenty students were selected. To ensure a smooth welcome, an online meeting was convened for host parents and students, focusing on crucial details for hosting the Korean guests. Emphasizing Taiwanese friendliness and hospitality, safety remained the top priority. As a warm gesture, each host student was required to write an email, including two photos—one featuring family members and the other showcasing the guest room.

 

"Special thanks to the school for meticulously organizing international exchange activities, encouraging children to actively express themselves in English. I truly commend the children for their courage in volunteering to host families. They didn't let their limited English skills hold them back; instead, they demonstrated the courage to take on the responsibility of hosting families. Through the children's actions, we've witnessed that with determination, there's nothing that cannot be achieved.”

 

"Teachers, thank you for your dedicated efforts in handling various communication matters. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I couldn't attend the meetings and farewell party. Nonetheless, I'm curious about the events that transpired. If the school could provide videos for future reference, it would allow students and parents who couldn't participate to understand the proceedings. It would be like being part of the actual event and would help everyone feel more involved in this extensive international exchange activity. This could also encourage more students to participate in the future. Thanks to all the teachers involved in planning and executing this activity.”

 

“This was our family's first time hosting international students, and afterward, we discussed areas that need improvement. I believe we will do an even better job next time."

 

“The children's innocent and genuine friendships. They expressed their thoughts in ways that the other could understand, remembered each other's preferences, and even prepared thoughtful gifts. The adorable expressions of surprise when receiving the gifts were truly heartwarming.”

 

“Although the event has concluded, I believe it marks the beginning of another phase of learning. The children have discovered the charm of different languages and recognized the significance of learning in life. Only through active participation in learning can they truly appreciate the brilliance that others see."

 

The feedback from host parents above is just a glimpse of the positive responses that I can read over and over again. It makes me realize that the entire event, despite the lengthy preparation, the burdensome paperwork, and the countless back-and-forth communication, was entirely worthwhile.

 

Saying Goodbye

It was difficult to bid farewell during the closing ceremony the next morning. I invited each pair of Taiwanese and Korean students to share their experiences from the previous night. Many of them mentioned exploring a night market and savoring exotic but delicious local food. It was clear that the host parents had put considerable thought into showcasing iconic places in Taichung in just one night.

 

One Korean girl shared that she had learned how to make pineapple cakes with her host family. What a fantastic idea! Meanwhile, the boys mostly spent the evening playing video games together, requiring minimal English communication. Two host moms expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to host Korean students and mentioned how much they had learned about Korean culture. Of course, both principals delivered short speeches at the end of the event, with Jungran translating into Mandarin, leaving everyone impressed.

 

As Jungran was about to board the bus, I gave her a big hug and some pats on the back, wishing her a safe flight back to Korea. I wasn't sure if I would get to work with her again after this, as there was a new counterpart on the other end. I suddenly felt emotional, perhaps because I had managed to pull off this event under tremendous pressure, with both my parents having been in and out of the hospital a few times in the past two months.

 

Reflections and Farewell:

Culminating Moments of the 2023 Educational Visit

 

The 2023 Educational Visit from Kyungpook National University Middle School (KNUMS) to KMJH was a remarkable comeback after a four-year hiatus due to COVID. From vibrant opening ceremonies to innovative classes and heartfelt homestay experiences, the event fostered authentic friendships and cross-cultural understanding. Despite the challenges, the positive feedback from host parents affirmed the program's success, leaving a lasting impression on both Taiwanese and Korean students. As Jungran bid farewell, the emotional resonance of the event lingered, showcasing the resilience and dedication that contributed to the transformative impact of the exchange. The 2023 visit not only revived the program but also created a legacy of cherished memories, highlighting the profound influence of international education on students and educators alike.