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📌 Monday 6 November, Wednesday 8 November, Friday 10 November
📌 Hopyeong Middle School
First-year students at Hopyeong Middle School invited us while studying two units in their social studies course, “Understanding Culture” and “Social Change and Social Problems.”
We talked with one class for two class periods. In the first period, we listened to the story of a refugee speaker and talked about who refugees are. In the second period, we talked with the students about the cultural experiences refugees have as they migrate and about how the cultures of migrants and long-term residents meet and expand.
Naim, Freddy, Majun, Deung Yunbi, Shaima and Yeonu took part. We asked them for their reflections.
🍪Deung Yunbi & Naim
🧷Deung Yunbi
I was touched by the passion of the teachers and the students. Although the topic was unfamiliar, the students showed great interest and many questions were exchanged. The students’ questions were very sharp and honest. I was very grateful to the students who listened to my story so attentively in such a lively atmosphere. I hope the students will realize how important the freedom we feel in daily life under democracy is.
🧷Naim
I told the students about the situation in Afghanistan. When I expressed myself through my life story and my dreams, including the process of coming to Korea, my current goal, and why I would want to become a teacher if I returned to my home country, I was impressed by the children’s interest and warm eyes.
🍪Yeonu & Freddy
🧷Teacher Yeonu (@layeonu
This was my first time at Hopyeong Middle School, but I have been to many DR events. Among them, the reactions of the students at Hopyeong were especially bright. In the third period the students asked many questions and asked about all sorts of things, but the next period was a little different. The students were so quiet that I asked why they were so quiet, and they said that today of all days there was no mood maker, which made me sad… Toward the end a mood maker appeared and we finished the event happily. Also, unlike at other schools, I got to eat the school lunch here, and since it was the first time in my life eating school lunch, it was a very precious experience !
🧷Freddy
I was impressed by the students’ enthusiastic participation and warm welcome. I could feel the passion in each and every student, and if the treatment of refugees in Korea is accompanied by a “future” like these children, it will be hopeful.
🍪Majun & Shaima
🧷Majun
I felt good especially because you stayed longer and asked the students good questions. I do not know why the 8th was better than the other days, but the children were more harmonious and receptive, and they looked prepared and eager.
🧷Shaima
The students you meet for the first time in middle school have pure, pure souls! I was deeply impressed that they were more cheerful and enthusiastic than high school students and that they took the lead in the conversation. I did not receive as many questions as I expected, but I could vividly see that they were interested in the stories, and above all, perhaps because it was Pepero Day, I found the children who handed me snacks so cute and was so grateful !
