MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL: Korean Exchange Program

Korean Exchange Program

Through a unique partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the South Korean Government, selected Westfield High School teachers and students will have an opportunity to participate in a cultural exchange program with students from Haewon High School located in Incheon, South Korea.  

 

If you or your student are interested in participating in the Korean Cultural Exchange Program, we will have an information session for parents and students on Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Westfield High School.

For more information reach out to Luann Hoyseth, Assistant Principal, SS5 at lrhoyseth@fcp.edu.  

WESTFIELD HS KOREAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Westfield High School and Haewon High School, Incheon, Korea

Westfield High School, with support from the Fairfax County Public Schools and the South Korean Ministry of Education, has a partnership With Haewon High School located in Incheon, South Korea. Westfield High School students have a unique opportunity to participate in a cultural exchange program with international education students from Haewon High School.

 

We are seeking 10 families from the Westfield community who are each willing to host two Haewon High School students in their homes tentatively set for the week of January 14-21, 2020, with an alternative schedule of January 28- February 4, 2020  In exchange, selected Westfield students will travel to Incheon, South Korea during the week of April 12 through April 22 (FCPS Spring Break).

 

The cost to Westfield students, who are selected, will be approximately $1,100 (An estimated value of well over $3,000).

 

Background Information:

Incheon Haewon High School is located in Cheongla International District within Incheon City not far from the capital city Seoul.  It is a public co-educational school that adopted an international school curriculum as a model to lead the globalization of education supported by the Korean Ministry of Education.  The Exchange Program will provide Westfield students with special classes at Haewon High School designed for guests, as well as other activities that will enrich their educational experiences and help them make new friends from the other side of the world.  The program will also offer excursions to different parts of Korea such as Seoul, Kyeongju, and Busan. Throughout the visit, our students will increase their cultural awareness and deepen their understanding of Korean society and its history that cannot be learned from a textbook. 

 

What we are looking for:

  • 10 Westfield High School families who are willing to host two Korean students in their home during the Korean students visit in January.  These students may speak very minimal English, and may be either male or female.
  • Students and families who will be excellent ambassadors for Westfield High School and FCPS.
  • Families willing and available to provide guests with  experiences that allow exposure to local landmarks and culture.
  • Westfield Students will be expected to travel to Haewon High School in Incheon, South Korea during the week of Spring Break (Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 12 or Monday, April13, 2020  Westfield students will be staying in a combination of both private homes and hotels. 
  • All individuals over the age of 18, who reside with the host family, must be willing to submit to a background check through Fairfax County Public Schools.

For Additional information, please stop by Sub School 5 in the R wing or email Luann Hoyseth at lrhoyseth@fcps.edu

Tentative Itinerary for Korean students traveling to Fairfax:

  • Tuesday
      • Students from Korea will arrive at Dulles Airport.  Welcome Students at Westfield HS.
  • Wednesday-Friday
      • Our Korean guests will attend school with their host student.  They will be allowed to ride the bus if that is their mode of transportation to Westfield.
      • Korean students will attend classes with their host, as well as some specialized classes.
      • Korean and Westfield students may take one or two “field trips” on Thursday and/or Friday. 
  • Saturday-Monday
  • Host families, and their Korean guests, will spend time separate from the group, getting to know each other, and touring the local area (i.e., Smithsonian, Capital Building, Memorials, etc.).
  • Tuesday
    • Haewon HS Students will likely depart Tuesday morning, January 21.

Tentative Itinerary for Westfield Students traveling to Korea during Spring Break (April 3-April 13) 

  • Friday, April 3
      • Westfield students depart for Incheon, Korea.
  • Saturday, April 4
    • Westfield students arrive late in the afternoon and will stay in a hotel in Incheon.
  • Sunday, April 5
      • Travel to Seoul
      • Ancient Palace and Seoul Tour
  • Monday – Wednesday (April 6-8)
    • Students will attend classes at Haewon High School and stay with Korean host families.  After a farewell party on Wednesday afternoon, Westfield students will board a bus to begin their tour of the rest of the country.
  • Wednesday Evening – Friday (April 8-10)
      • Westfield students will tour the southern part of the country
      • Stay in Temple in Kyeongju
      • Tour the Ancient Capital of Silla
  • Friday Evening – Sunday (April 10-12)
    • Students will tour Busan, second largest city in Korea.
    • Return to Seoul – Tour the city, visit sites
  • Sunday - Monday, April 13
    • Students will fly home. 

 

Further information on safety, medical facilities, etc. can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s, Bureau of Diplomatic Security website (https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17513). 

Korean Exchange Map