KNUMS Welcomes KMJH with Open Arms!

Our fleeting visit to Daegu, Korea, left us with lasting impressions and deep reflections. As we journeyed back to Taichung, we carried with us cherished memories and profound insights. This brief yet impactful two-day school visit has further solidified the bond between KNUMS and KMJH. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your warm hospitality and eagerly anticipate reciprocating the same during your visit to KMJH this October.

 

The Welcome Ceremony (April 10th)

 

As soon as we set foot in KNUMS, we immediately felt the warmhearted welcome vibe, with Principal Yun, the staff, and the host family parents gathering and welcoming us in the auditorium. The banner, adorned with both the national flags of Taiwan and Korea, said it all: "KNUMS Welcomes KMJH with Open Arms!" We were equally excited to reunite with some old friends who had visited KMJH last October, as well as to make new acquaintances.

 

Speeches from both Principals Yun and Lin emphasized the value of international collaborations and the importance of cultivating future global citizens. Subsequently, two student representatives from both schools delivered short speeches, expressing their anticipation for the homestay and school life experiences, as well as the beauty of Daegu and some aspects of Korean culture.

 

The ceremony culminated with wonderful student performances from our sister school, including traditional Korean music, orchestra band performances, and K-pop dances, showcasing the vibrant and diverse talents of the students. Some Korean students held up homemade posters to extend the welcome to their Taiwanese counterparts. Principal Lin and the other four staff members also expressed their appreciation for the logistical arrangements and numerous souvenirs.

 

The Hospitable Dinner and Homestay

 

Seeing off our students who were picked up by their Korean host parents, we checked into a hotel in downtown Daegu and headed to a nearby fine restaurant. The banquet was filled with delicious and delicate cuisines, making it the best culinary experience of the entire trip. As we chatted and exchanged interesting cultural differences between Taiwan and Korea, one topic stood out to me the most: the discrepancies in retirement age and pension systems. In that regard, I sincerely felt blessed to be able to retire at 58 and live on my relatively decent pensions, instead of retiring at 62 and waiting until 65 to receive the monthly pension.

 

As I read through the student journals of their homestay experiences, they mentioned three things in common:

1. Experienced warm hospitality during homestay: The friendly host family parents prepared many gifts and souvenirs to fill up half of the suitcases.

2. Explored the city center and tried local cuisine: The host family parents treated them to a fine and iconic Korean dinner, such as Jeongol (hotpot), Bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables and meat), and Samgyeopsal (roast pork belly).

3. Enjoyed shopping and cultural experiences: Some of the parents or grandparents tried to teach them Korean. For those K-pop fangirls, they naturally seized the opportunity and bought some of their idols' merchandise.

 

The Campus Tour (April 11^th)

 

Principal Yun and her staff kindly arranged an educational campus tour, which impressed us and prompted reflection on KMJH's potential.

1. IB World School

International Baccalaureate (IB) programs focus on nurturing learners' inquiry, action, and reflection skills to prepare them for an ever-changing and interconnected world. Congratulations to KNUMS for its outstanding achievements in IB World School accreditation in 2021! As we strolled around the campus, we noticed offices, corners, and classrooms embellished with slogans, infographics, posters, and symbols celebrating this accomplishment.

2. Inspired to Change  

Amazed by one newly renovated facility after another and the artistic decorations at KNUMS, we all wondered how such a significant change could be accomplished at the school. We received one answer from the staff and teachers we met: the will and leadership of the principal. We couldn't wait to compare the differences and formulate ideas on how to make KMJH a better place for our students to learn.

3. Park Chung-hee Memorial Hall

The museum commemorates Park, who served as the president of South Korea for 16 years. After graduating from Daegu Normal School, he later worked as an elementary school teacher. Within the memorial hall, we encountered old photographs and historical accounts showcasing his influence on modern Korea. Guided by an enthusiastic curator, we learned about the school's history.

 

Class Participation

 

Next, we visited several classrooms to check on our students in P.E., Ethics, English class, etc. I noticed that each student was diligently working on their laptops to answer questions or express their thoughts. It was pleasing to see that our students could refer to a class outline in Mandarin and actively participate in these classes.

 

1. Wearing Hanbok and Playing Traditional Toys

Both Korean and Taiwanese students dressed in aesthetic and colorful Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, and engaged in activities such as shuttlecock kicking and arrow throwing. After some online research, I discovered that these activities were popular festivities for Lunar New Year celebrations. When I inquired with Juran about the Hanboks, I learned that they were rented specifically for our visit, which made me feel immensely grateful to all the KNUMS staff for making this possible. Later, as I witnessed many smiles on the students' faces while posing for cellphone cameras, I couldn't help but feel fortunate to have such an amazing Korean sister school.

2. Making a Korean Name Stamp

While dressed in Hanbok, the students proceeded to the next class in the school library, where they learned to create a name stamp with their Korean names on it. Following instructions on the steps and materials required, the Korean teacher supervised and ensured that everyone stayed on track. Carving their Korean names onto the stamp, with the assistance of host family students, demanded constant concentration. Upon completion, KMJH students had one more unique souvenir to bring back home and proudly share with their friends. Juran prepared some of their textbooks, including English, Math, and others, along with the school uniforms, for us to set up the KMJH International Education Week in May.

3. Cooking Kimbap and Tteokbokki

Both are popular and iconic Korean cuisines in Taiwan, and now we're learning how to make them from scratch with the help of many local teachers! Thanks to the home economics teacher, she provided us with step-by-step instructions and ingredients to cook the seaweed rice roll and "unspicy" rice cake. We were divided into groups of 4 to 5, with a co-teacher assisting and supervising each group. The rice rolls were so delicious that I couldn't resist eating many while taking pictures and recording the class. Additionally, the rice cakes, tailored to Taiwanese students' tastes, were not spicy but equally delicious. Principal Yun was busy helping with each group throughout the entire class, enjoying the delicious food with us at a table. This cooking class not only showcased Korean food culture but also highlighted the dedication of the staff in hosting a foreign delegation with meticulous attention to detail.

 

The Farewell Ceremony

The ceremony marked the conclusion of our visit to our sister school. Principal Yun and Lin delivered closing remarks, urging our students to cherish the invaluable learning experience in Daegu, Korea, and pledging to continue our meaningful exchanges and visits. Once again, I served as an interpreter, translating from Mandarin into English. Following the speeches, we enjoyed singing and dancing performances by KNUMS students, as well as a K-pop dance and Taekwondo performance by KMJH students. The two-day school visit concluded with our students expressing their reflections and gratitude in both English and Mandarin. As evident from the student reflection journal below, there is no doubt that our students, along with all visiting KMJH staff, will cherish these fond memories of Korea for a long time to come.

 

On behalf of KMJH, I cannot emphasize enough how greatly indebted we are to all the KNUMS staff, host family parents, and students for their generosity and hospitality during our two-day visit. I can fully relate to the preparations and logistics involved, given the extensive communication between me and Christina. While there may have been some minor miscommunication regarding the schedule, what's most important is that both hosts and guests appreciated and fully enjoyed this sister school partnership.

 

Principal Lin, Director Hong, and I were already exchanging ideas on how to improve KMJH for our students during the campus tour and class participation. We admired Principal Yun and the dedicated staff for their ability to make a significant impact on the school, leading to the IB World School accreditation. Additionally, we were impressed by both the aesthetic and functional renovations across the campus. There is much to be accomplished, and many initiatives will require funding.

 

Through this blog post, complete with pictures and videos, I aim to share this exchange with fellow KMJH staff and students who were unable to join this wonderful event. This marks my third visit to Daegu and Busan, and without the partnership, all the sightseeing and shopping wouldn't have mattered as much to me.