High School Student narrates his story with IVECA

Written by Byung-woo Kang

Hanil High School, Republic of Korea

It was an unforgettable time for me to participate in IVECA, when it was my second year in high school. I interacted with the Colégio Militar de Curitiba School in Brazil. The first activity was a brief introduction, and I was quite surprised by my partner. Because the first sentence I faced was in Korean (Hangeul, Korean alphabet). My partner, Yasmim Tanaka, was able to speak Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and English, so I thought she had an excellent ability even at the age of 15. As the class went on, I could feel my partner's enthusiasm because she was more passionate than anyone else, and she was very thoughtful.

I'd completed the IVECA program as usual, but the relationship with my partner wasn't over. I exchanged messages with my partner using Instagram. It was a great inspiration for me to see my partner go abroad, experience various cultures, and study. I began to contact her by saying that I admired her and promised to respond sincerely if there was anything she wanted to know about Korean culture. Later, she conducted a project under the theme Misconceptions and Racism Against Asians, asking about Koreans' perception of dog meat consumption in Korea. I was surprised that the content was very profound. It's part of a culture that's been going on for a long time. Based on the activities of animal rights groups and merchants, I introduced both pros and cons. By introducing the pros and cons of dog meat, I was able to experience the diversity of values created by cultural differences, and also recognized the importance of respecting another country's society and culture.

Afterwards, my partner actually visited Korea, and had various experiences such as wearing Hanbok, a traditional Korean costume, looking around Gyeongbokgung, etc. Her great interest in Korea was amazing; she was so interested in K-pop that she uploads cover songs on YouTube. I also hope that my partner’s great interest in Korea will continue to grow through various activities. Our relationship made through IVECA didn't end with a simple classroom exchange, but continued afterwards to learn more about each other's culture. This valuable experience taught me a lesson that the shift in perspectives is the basis for accepting social and cultural differences.

#IVECA #Education #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #21stCenturySkills #DigitalCitizenship #GlobalEd #GlobalEdChat #SmartPlanet #STEAM #VirtualExchange

Students from São Paulo and Gongju Explore Positive Actions for Climate Change

High school students from Monsenhor Sarrion in São Paulo, Brazil and Hanil High School in Gongju, Korea hosted their “Live Classes”, the culmination of the IVECA program on December 9th and 10th, 2019. The collaborative event allowed the participants to share their research about actions to counter climate change with positive actions.

After eight weeks of collaboration through IVECA Virtual Classroom, students from Gongju city, South Korea presented factors related to globalization and climate change while suggesting ways to adaptation such as using liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel to reduce air pollution. According to their research, these connections are related to industrialization, urbanization, and tourism.

São Paulo students, in Brazil, shared their challenges, including the Amazon fire which has been covered by international media. The group described how the Amazon is vital for a healthy planet and why it plays a crucial role for the Planet. They also empathized the current condition indigenous people live and how protection of tribes is essential to the future.

The IVECA Live Class resulted in a vibrant and in-depth discussion about actions both countries can perform for solutions to reverse the situation. Congratulations to both Sarrion High School and Hanil High School for the dedication, research and and participation. Together, those schools developed intercultural communicative competence that will serve both in the future and help to become better global citizens!

#IVECA #Education #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #21stCenturySkills #DigitalCitizenship #GlobalEd #GlobalEdChat #SmartPlanet

American and Korean Students in an Inspirational Speech Contest

On January 14, 2020, IVECA organized the World Speech Contest session between students from Hoover High school in Alabama, USA, and Noeun High School students from Korea. The aim of the contest was to inspire each other positively on thematic topics that are reflected in nonfiction literature or news articles from the students’ local culture.

Beforehand, students prepared in groups inspirational speeches related to daily life topics of their interest and that are mainly about perseverance, hope, suffering, competition, relationship and war. During the Live Class students presented their speeches virtually to their global partners through the Zoom platform.

American students decided to use literature to inspire their audience through the book “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand. They depicted suffering and war during the second World War and demonstrated how perseverance and hope can change our life. Students in Korea introduced the devastating impact of the Japanese colonial period on the Korean citizens and presented icons who helped in spreading love and hope such as Dr. Chang Kee-ryo who made lots of sacrifices for his patients.

The two schools talked about war and pains in their countries, though the circumstances were different, the suffering was the same. Students expressed that by persevering, accepting our differences and helping each other, we can change the world to the best.

#IVECA #Education #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #21stCenturySkills #DigitalCitizenship #GlobalEd #GlobalEdChat #SmartPlanet