 During the week of October 14th, 18 students, along with a principal and four educational officials from Damyang, South Korea visited Lynnwood as a part of the very first student exchange program established in partnership with the City of Lynnwood Sister City Program, Lynnwood High School and the Lynnwood Sister Cities Association.
“We welcome you to the City of Lynnwood and hope you have a wonderful time, build long-lasting friendships and learn about how we live our daily lives in America,” said Mayor Nicola Smith at a welcoming gathering held at Lynnwood High, where Damyang exchange students were introduced to their host families.
The delegation had a fully-packed agenda of educational opportunities and cultural activities to learn and experience American schools, government, foods, and traditions.
Angelo Tran, a Lynnwood High student, said of his exchange student, “Something new my friend, Young Chan Oh, experienced was the night of Homecoming. The experience with the football game and dance were very exciting and new for him and were a huge culture shock. My friend and I also took him to the Cheesecake Factory, bought him cheesecake and sang him happy birthday. Young Chan would not stop grinning and laughing. He loved it so much that afterwards he called his parents to tell them what happened.” Tran adds, “Having him was a great experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
 The City of Lynnwood showed them a 42” traffic signal light, allowed them to walk into a jail cell, and gave them a bunker gear demonstration at Fire Station 15. At the WA Aerospace Training and Research Center through Edmonds Community College, students deburred and polished metal scraps used in Boeing planes and got to take them back to Damyang as souvenirs. They toured the University of Washington in Seattle and Bothell. In full-body harness and helmet, they bravely completed the rope and zipline courses that are 55 feet high above ground, provided by the High Trek Adventures and Snohomish County.
|
 “Thank you very much for the opportunity and experience,” said exchange student Min-Ju Seo, carrying her backpack and American souvenirs in hand, while getting in the TSA line to catch their flight. “I hope we get to see our friends from Lynnwood High in Damyang soon so that we can show them our country.”
A big thank you to the generous host families that graciously hosted the students during their visit. And thank you to Lynnwood High School and the Sister City Association for all of your great work to ensure our first student exchange was a great success!
|
 During the student delegation visit, we held a ribbon cutting for our Korean Sister City signal box wrap located along Highway 99 and 174th PL SW. This design celebrates our sister city Damyang, which is famous for its bamboo forests, with a design of bamboo on one side and a picture of an old growth forest on the other. Also included is a Korean poem and a John Muir quote:
나무도 아니고 풀도 아닌 것이
곧기는 누가 시켰으며 속은 어찌 비어 있느냐
저러고도 사계절 내내 푸르니 대나무를 좋아하노라
윤선도 (1587–1671)
Bamboo, neither tree nor grass,
You grow straight up. How you keep a pure heart.
You stay green in all season. How can I not fall in love with you?
- Yun Seondo (1587-1671)
The Big Tree is Nature's forest masterpiece...the greatest of living things.
- John Muir
|
For more informaton on the Lynnwood Sister City or the Lynnwood Sister City Association, visit http://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/City-Services/Community-Outreach/Sister-City-Program.htm or contact Gina Israel at gisrael@LynnwoodWA.gov
|
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com