Gochang Bukgo students build global ties with Chinese school in Weihai exchange

Students at Gochang Bukgo High School, designated as an international exchange school by the North Jeolla Province Office of Education, are expanding their skills as global citizens through joint projects and exchange activities with a school in China.

Gochang Bukgo launched a six-day overseas field study program Monday, running through Saturday, as part of its 2026 international exchange curriculum. On Tuesday, students visited Jingyi Foreign Language School in Weihai, Shandong Province, for a range of exchange activities.

The program is part of an international exchange initiative run through a competitive grant from the North Jeolla Province Office of Education. Rather than a simple cultural tour, it was designed as an activity-based, project-based learning exchange in which students from the two countries communicate and collaborate directly.

Students joined their Jingyi counterparts in one-on-one buddy classroom sessions and worked together on joint project-based learning assignments built around cultural and social topics from both countries. Despite differences in language and culture, participants threw themselves into discussions — mixing gestures, body language and English — and worked through to conclusions together.

A campus tour and an "Exchange Night" event added to the energy, with talent performances from both schools, K-pop and traditional Chinese performances, and a gift exchange.

Kim Ha-yul, a second-year student at Gochang Bukgo, said the experience was deeply meaningful. "I had only ever encountered Chinese culture through textbooks and videos, but being able to feel it firsthand while working through assignments with local friends was truly special," Kim said. "It was an unforgettable experience that taught me that hearts can connect even when languages are different."

Teacher Kim Mi-seon said she was glad the school's selection for the North Jeolla education office's international exchange program had made it possible to give students a vivid, real-world global experience. "Starting with this Weihai exchange and continuing on to visits to Luoyang and Zhengzhou, I hope the students will grow even more through this journey," she said.

Meanwhile, after wrapping up activities in Weihai, the Gochang Bukgo exchange group will travel by high-speed rail to the ancient city of Luoyang to tour historical and cultural sites including the Longmen Grottoes and the Sui-Tang Luoyang City ruins, before passing through Zhengzhou and returning home Saturday.