Teacher In-Country Fellowships to Asia (TICFA) Program Korea Study Tour Lydia Polain,Prince Alfred College, SA,at Cheongju Foreign Languages High School, September 1999 | Leader/s | Dates | Outline | Past Participant Comments | The Asia Education Foundation's (AEF) TICFA Program is a professional development program that aims to provide Australian educators the opportunity to experience first hand the peoples, cultures and issues of the countries of Asia and to enhance skills and discipline knowledge of the studies of Asia. There are two phases to the Korean Study Tour. In the first phase, Australian teachers travel to South Korea for 14 days in September/October. They undertake a three-day orientation in Seoul, visit Buddhist temples and explore markets and centres for traditional and contemporary Korean arts. The group then travels to participating host schools for two homestay programs within a ten-day period. They have the opportunity to go to locations including Cheju-do, Pohang, Cheongju and Seoul. The homestays are a unique and invaluable window into Korean life. The second phase of the program occurs in August of the following year when the Korean teachers make their exchange visit to Australia. Each Australian participant hosts their original Korean host for five days. During the Korean teachers stay in Australia, they undertake a similar program of teaching and observing classes and taking part in discussions on current teaching practices and ideas. Korean teachers are accommodated in homestays to give them the opportunity to learn more about everyday Australian life. The Korea Study Tour very generously receives financial support from the Australia-Korea Foundation. Go to the top of the page Tour Leader/s Kurt Mullane, Asia Education Foundation, Victoria Tour Dates The dates of the 2002-2003 TICFA tour to Korea are: Date of departure from Australia is Saturday 28th September 2002 Date of return to Australia is Sunday 13th October 2002 Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these dates are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Tour Outline Day 1 Traveling Depart Australia Day 2 Cheong-ju Arrive at airport and transfer to hotel. Group briefing session before visiting the printing and Cheong-ju Museum Day 3 Cheong-ju Visit Attached Elementary School of Cheong-ju National University of Education and tour of Museuk Pottery. Day 4 Cheong-ju Visit Hyun-Dai Electronic Company and Cheong-ju Foreign Language High School. Professional Development workshop at Chungbuk National University Day 5 Homestay Meet homestay family, school visit and teaching workshop program (Day 1). Dinner and accommodation with homestay family. Day 6 Homestay School visit and teaching workshop program (Day 2). Dinner and accommodation with homestay family. Day 7 Homestay School visit and teaching workshop program (Day 3). Dinner and accommodation with homestay family. Day 8 Homestay School visit and teaching workshop program (Day 4). Dinner and accommodation with homestay family. Day 9 Homestay School visit and teaching workshop program (Day 5). Dinner and accommodation with homestay family. Day 10 Seoul Transfer to Seoul and hotel check-in. Homestay debriefing session followed by a tour of the city center of Seoul. Day 11 Seoul Visit to the Museum of Korean Embroidery, Sa-Jun House, Korean Buddhist Art Museum and War memorial. Dinner at Namsan Park Day 12 Seoul Tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Day 13 Traveling Tour of Ch'angdokkung Palace and National Folk museum. Dinner and farewell celebration in downtown Seoul. Depart for Australia. Day 14 Australia Arrive Australia Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these details are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Past Participant Comments The program has been a richly rewarding experience for me and my senses are alive with Korean culture. The sights of modern housing and highly decorated and peaceful temples. The sounds of traditional music, loud pop music and the blend of old and new in the performance of the national theatre. My taste buds were tantalized by an enormous variety of Korean foods and I look forward to sharing these flavors with family, friends and my students in Australia. Anita Adams, St Joseph's School, SA The really worthwhile things to come out of this in-country Korean experience were the things that initially scared me to death. Once I arrived for the homestay I felt so privileged to be part of a family, to be the first person from outside the family to ever sleep in their house and to be the first Australian many of the people I had interacted with had ever met. Eating in Korean restaurants provided great insight into Korean food, but also shopping for food, preparing food and eating in the home gave me information I could never find as a tourist. Traveling by local bus each day and going to a Buddhist temple with practicing Buddhists after a hard day's teaching are just two of the experiences that have left such a positive impression on my Korean experience. Francis Rogers, Hamilton Senior High School, WA I can't say enough about the positive experiences provided by the homestays in Korea. It was a rich and privileged insight into the lives of present day Korean families. The school experience was also enriching, a great insight into Korean education. Graeme Harvey, Geelong Grammar School, VIC. I was so happy to participate in this program and to visit and travel this lovely country. I learned many things during the two-week trip. In personal aspects, I learnt to be courageous in so many ways - like trying me best to change practice in my teaching profession. Baek Hwa Young, Goonsan Women's High School …I am very happy to have a chance like this. After coming back to Korea I can teach my students something about Australia such as geography, population, diversity and daily living habits. I have gained a good feeling about Australians and their diversity. I will be able to teach my colleagues and students about an Australia that they don't know. Lee In-Hwa, Gosan Middle School, Chonju, Korea I can see the emphasis of Australia's education is put on the multicultural understanding of its people…as well as teaching literacy. The schools are trying very hard to meet these goals. I have gained a lot by observing and participating in teaching about multiculturalism and literacy. Mr Joo Jeong Oh, Haneul Middle School, Chonju, Korea Go to the top of the page Contacts Further information on the TICFA program is available from: Ms Kristi Sheldon, Manager, In-Country Programs k.sheldon@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Mr Aaron O'Shannessy, Project Officer, In-County Programs a.oshannessy@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Asia Education Foundation Sidney Myer Asia Centre The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia Telephone: 03 8344 4800 Facsimile: 03 9347 1768