Twelve students from the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Education & Human Development journeyed to South Korea this spring for a week-long residential educational exchange at the Korea National University of Education (KNUE).
Directed by faculty members Hyun-Joo Jeon, Ph.D., professor of Human Development and Family Science and Mandi Collins, Ph.D., NevadaTeach master teacher/teaching associate professor and Raggio Center for Advancement in (STEM)2 director. The program gave students a chance to learn about the cultural and institutional roots of South Korea's education system.
The project involved extensive trips to partner kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools, where participants witnessed classroom lessons, visited classrooms and mingled with South Korean students and teachers. Participants took hands-on exposures to South Korea's student-led education system.
KNUE's campus provided a glimpse into teacher training and curriculum planning in South Korea. Students interacted with peers and faculty in formal and informal environments, gaining insight into the expectations, pressures and pleasures of student life in South Korea.
"Their school discipline is amazing compared to America. The kids can still be kids and play, but they immediately obey their teacher's commands", says Sevellon.
Throughout the week, cultural outings, like a trip to the Museum of Korean Education, added depth to how education in South Korea has changed. One museum exhibit embodied this philosophy with the slogan "Life is Education" posted in several languages, reiterating the universal power of education in society.
Students wrote pre- and post-exchange reflections so that they could assess how their attitudes developed. Most indicated developing a new appreciation for the influence of cultural values on the structure of education and for the need to tailor pedagogy to the needs of the students. Several of the students made presentations at the University's Wolf Pack Discoveries to share what they had learned.
This international exchange was facilitated by a collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno and the Korea National University of Education, as evidenced by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during Fall 2023. The partnership created a cooperative program for teacher preparation students and faculty members of both institutions.
As part of this mutual relationship, the University has welcomed two cohorts from KNUE, which collaborated with local schools and participated in lectures from University staff. The aim is to offer a significant exchange of ideas and an international outlook on education to all parties concerned.
"This partnership is a huge opportunity for faculty and students across the College of Education & Human Development as we expand our vision of learning and development to include a broader cultural view",says Dean Donald Easton-Brooks, Ph.D. This continued partnership continues to open doors for students to expand their horizons and implement global best practices in their classrooms of the future.
