Seoul Students to Have Formal Education Program for 'Nongchon Yuhak' Rural Study Abroad

Targeting from 4th Grade Elementary
to 2nd Year Middle School

The above photo is not related to the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A program allowing Seoul students to study abroad for one semester at rural schools while completing the regular curriculum will be introduced next year.

On the 7th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education signed a related business agreement with the Jeollanam-do Office of Education and announced the "Urban Children Walking on Soil, Rural Study Abroad Promotion Plan." The program targets students from 4th grade in elementary school to 2nd grade in middle school, selecting around 100 students. If choosing the family stay type, students in 1st to 3rd grade of public elementary schools or 3rd graders who are siblings of the study abroad students can also participate.

There are various types including the homestay type where students live with local farming families, the family stay type where students move and live with their families, and the regional center type where students live at a local center with an activist acting as a guardian. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education explained, "The farming families and regional centers where the study abroad students will reside were selected after a prior verification process by the Jeollanam-do Office of Education," adding, "We plan to support a safe study abroad life through training and monitoring activities."

The study abroad period starts every year on March 1 and operates in semester units for at least six months. Extensions on a semester basis are possible upon request. However, the study abroad period is limited to until graduation from 6th grade for elementary students and until 2nd grade for middle school students. Study abroad students complete the regular curriculum of schools within Jeollanam-do, and the content is recorded in their school life records. After school, they return home to farming families or centers by taking the after-school Edu Taxi (Edu Bus). They can also participate in local specialty programs operated by village communities after school, on weekends, or during vacations. Monthly costs per student, including lodging, meals, and labor costs, amount to 800,000 KRW, with the Jeonnam Office of Education covering 300,000 KRW and the Seoul Office of Education providing partial support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.