Humphreys High School students experience local Korean high school

By Jason OmMay 8, 2024

Humphreys High School students experience local Korean high school
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Humphreys High School student Ailaya Washington on the right, is making diagrams of animal and plant cells with Shinhan High School students. (Photo Credit: Jason Om) VIEW ORIGINAL
Humphreys High School students experience local Korean high school
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Shinhan high school students are dividing Humphreys High School students among eight clubs, including the International and Diplomacy Club, Business Administration Club, Model UN Conference Club, Social Research Club, and Media Club. (Photo Credit: Jason Om) VIEW ORIGINAL

Camp Humphreys, South Korea – Forty students from Humphreys High School visited the Shinhan High School, nested in the heart of Pyeongatek on May 2, 2024. This visit was aimed at providing insight of a Korean high school and foster cultural exchange between the two groups of students.

The day began at 9:15 a.m. as HHS students were welcomed by their counterparts at Shinhan High School. American students engaged in various activities organized by eight Shinhan High School clubs, including the International and Diplomacy Club, Business Administration Club, Model UN Conference Club, Social Research Club, and Media Club.

"It was wonderful to see everyone connect and build friendships through their shared interests,” said Taleen Brady, the HHS teacher leader for the International Club who accompanied the students on the visit, “I am so glad that our students got this opportunity and look forward to seeing this relationship grow between our schools."

In the International and Diplomacy Club, students participated in ice-breaking activities and games designed to foster camaraderie and cross-cultural understanding. In one such game, four Korean students looked at the original picture and explained it in English. Then, one American student drew a picture according to the explanation without seeing the original, and the person whose drawing most matched the original won the game.

"The students at this school were kind and most helpful,” said Ailaya Washington, a student from HHS, “Shinhan Highschool is a beautiful school with an amazing garden. if I had a choice to attend this school, I would 100%."

The Business Administration Club offered insights into global economics through interactive games on exchange rates. Meanwhile, the Social Research and Media Clubs facilitated cultural exchanges through an online escape room game and culinary fusion, combining Tteokbokki, a traditional Korean spicy rice cake, with American hot dogs to share in each other's cultures through food.

Just before the trip concluding at 11 a.m., many of the students shared contact information with the hope of continuing their newfound relationships.

“I am very happy that Humphreys High School students visited our school, and although it was a short time, I hope it was a valuable time to understand Korean schools and Korean students,” said Won-young Yu, Principal of Shinhan High School. “I hope that our students will also visit Humphreys High School in the future to experience American high school life and develop their relationships.”