Gwangju Office of Education to Promote Student International Exchange Program "Global Leader Around the World"

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is promoting the student international exchange program "Global Leader Around the World." Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on January 29 that it will continue to promote the student international exchange program "Global Leader Around the World" this year.

"Global Leader Around the World" is an international exchange program operated by the city’s Office of Education to strengthen students' global competencies and foster global citizenship.

This year, the program will be conducted under 14 themes, including democracy, human rights, peaceful reunification, literature, science, specialized high school field trips, and ecological transition, across 15 countries such as Germany and Mongolia.

The program targets elementary, middle, and high school students, with more than 320 participants engaging in a variety of experiential activities at major schools, universities, and institutions around the world. In addition, participants will promote Korean culture-such as K-pop, K-dance, and K-food-through flash mobs and other activities at major landmarks worldwide, and play a role in raising awareness about the May 18 Democratization Movement.

To encourage broad participation, the Office of Education will provide information about the program to students and parents in advance, and will allocate a certain proportion of spots to socially disadvantaged students.

Starting in April, the "Student Global Leader Neighborhood Tour" will be offered for elementary school students. This program is divided into two parts: a university-linked program and a local experiential program. The university-linked program allows students to visit universities by class and participate in various activities, while the local experiential program will have students explore the Honam region with themes such as arts, sports, and AI.

Also beginning in April is the "Student Global Leader Paldo Tour," targeting students from sixth grade in elementary school to middle school.

The "Paldo Tour" will have teams of students select a theme and travel across the country to explore it.

Additionally, the Office of Education will strengthen international exchanges at the school level by promoting online and in-person exchanges between schools, online and in-person classes based on Korean language education, and support for UNESCO school class activities.

In the second half of the year, the Office of Education plans to conduct international class exchanges, focusing on elementary and secondary school teachers.

The Office expects that students will develop critical thinking skills and enhance their global communication and collaboration abilities through various participatory international exchanges.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon said, "Through 'Global Leader Around the World,' I hope students will develop global awareness and grow as global citizens. We will actively support the establishment of a sustainable international exchange system so that Gwangju students can demonstrate their abilities on the world stage."

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