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Program to visit Korea reopens to Saipan students
The Korean community on Saipan has rekindled a program that sends students to South Korea to further cultural awareness and to help promote the CNMI.
The newly elected president of the Korean Community of Saipan, Lim Jae Yeol, has partnered with the Saipan Mayor’s Office to reprioritize the long cancelled program to send Saipan students to Korea, with the next trip open for application by the end of the weekend.
The program would be accepting 25 students, with 23 selected by the Saipan Mayor’s Office and two selected by KCS. Altogether, the trip would consist of the 25 students, five guides, translators, and tour conductors, with the guides being selected by the Saipan Mayor’s Office and KCS handling the rest.
The upcoming trip is intended to be the start of a series of meetings with other Korean mayors, to establish a relationship that allows for a student exchange program, similar to that of Japanese schools and universities.
“Later this year, maybe August, the students could come here [in a student exchange program],” said Lim.
The last trip that brought Saipan students to Korea was back in 2014.
“We are thankful to [Lim] and his assistant, Simon Sin, including the KCS. This is an opportunity for Saipan students to learn about the Korean way of life, including the culture, tradition, and historical landmarks,” said Saipan Mayor’s Office special assistant Henry Hofschneider.
The students would be toured in renowned cities such as Seoul, Incheon, Yongin, and Hwaseong from June 4, 2017, to June 8, 2017.
A fee of $500 must first be paid for the trip and is inclusive of lodging, transportation in Korea, airfare, insurance, meals, entrance fees for sites, and other various expenditures.
High schools and college level students are invited to apply. Requirements include passport copies and pictures for identification in Korea and may be submitted personally at the Saipan Mayor’s Office or KCS, or through email at y.kishimoto@gmail.com. The fee would be paid through the SMO or to KCS upon selection.
Deadline for application of the 23 limited slots is next Monday, March 27, 2017.
For more information or for inquiries, contact Yuki Kishimoto at 234-6208 or through email at y.kishimoto@gmail.com.
