Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education runs a global citizenship education program linking local resources

Teams of domestic and international students serve as one-day teachers at local elementary, middle, and high schools

Unique classes featuring cultures, languages, and foods from around the world are popular 

[June 14, 2024]

 On the afternoon of June 12, joyous cheers erupted from Gyeongsan Middle School as classes were in full swing. Claudia Marie (27) from the UK, a language student at YU Korean Language Education Center, and JEONG Woo-hoon (26), a senior in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at YU, stepped in as one-day teachers.

 They conducted a class themed on the geography, food, language, and festivals of the UK.The class was presented by Marie, with JEONG providing support materials. The students responded enthusiastically to the class led by a foreign university student. 

Marie expressed her thoughts, saying, "I was happy to introduce British culture to Korean students. I hope they gained a lot of knowledge about the UK." JEONG added, "I was worried despite meticulously preparing the class materials, but the students' positive reactions made the class enjoyable."

KIM Young-ran (48), a teacher in charge of international exchanges at Gyeongsan Middle School, commented, "The university students who came as one-day teachers were well-prepared, which encouraged active student participation. It was very helpful for the students to directly hear and engage in a class about another country's culture from a local university student. I hope there will be more opportunities for students to learn from students from various countries in the future."

 The classes conducted by these students are part of the '2024 Regional Resource Linked Global Citizenship Education' program organized by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education. This program is designed by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education to provide local elementary, middle, and high school students with the opportunity to naturally communicate with international university students during class time, experience world cultures, and develop a global mindset. For this program, one international student and one Korean student pair up to teach. YU has formed 18 teams with international students from 10 countries and Korean students, teaching at a total of 69 schools in the Gyeongsangbuk-do region until December.

SON Sang-beom, Director of International Affairs at YU, said, "YU hosts over 1,256 international students from 62 countries enrolled in degree programs and annually welcomes about 124 exchange students from approximately 19 countries. Based on YU's glocal educational capabilities, we will continue to take the lead in various programs that can coexist with the local community."