Pilot program offers 10 students possible trip of a lifetime.

By Mary O’KEEFE

The Korea Glendale Sister City Association is offering middle school students a unique opportunity to discover what life is like in Korea.

“We are taking 10 students from Rosemont and Wilson [middle schools] [in the] seventh and eighth grade,” said Alex Woo, association president.

Students from Korea have visited Wilson Middle School on occasion but this is the first time Glendale and Crescenta Valley students will be traveling to Korea.

“We have been trying to do this trip for the past few years, “ Woo added.

The trip will be over spring break, April 6-15. To qualify, students are asked to submit an essay of 1,000 words or less that describe how they would be a Glendale Unified School District ambassador. They need to include what they can share with Korean students about their educational experiences and what information/knowledge they will bring back to share with students at their school.

All essays have to be turned into the school’s office by March 21. Winners will be announced on March 22. The cost to the students for the trip, including airfare, room and board, is $500.

While in Korea, students and their adult chaperones will visit museums, historical monuments, schools and a special dinosaur exhibit. The Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World EXPO features a variety of tours, performances and hands-on activities.

Students will not only act as ambassadors while meeting their Korean counterparts, but will also meet students visiting the same area from New York.

Woo said the trip will be a fun way to learn of other cultures and to explore a country that most have only seen in books.

The Korea Glendale Sister City Association is a bridge between two cultures. Their hard work has been recognized by Mayor Laura Friedman who will incorporate the accomplishments of the Korean community in her State of the City address.

Since their formation in March of 2010, the association has sponsored the Unity Fest, held voter’s registration drives, helped streamline applications for students in Korea to apply to Glendale Community College and sponsored students from Korea to visit Wilson Middle School.

All Rosemont and Wilson middle school seventh and eighth graders are eligible for Korean trip. Students can get more information at their school.

  Mary Okeefe