University of Missouri’s top students head to Korea to teach English

COLUMBIA, Mo. - June 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Columbia, Mo. – How do you get ready to teach in Korea?  What do you pack?  What are Korean students like?  Meet Lesley Sapp of MU’s Asian Affairs Center.  She is the experienced guru that has prepared numerous groups of dedicated University of Missouri (MU) students to teach for an intensive month in Korea.  During her one-day orientation at MU (which is just the beginning of many planned cultural immersion experiences) Lesley, also known as Lesley Linguini during our fun introductory exercises, combines wit and wisdom with the realities of being away from home.  

It becomes apparent that the minor hardships of volunteer teaching in an international summer camp in southern Korea represent just the challenge that these adventurous MU students have been looking for.  With excitement, those that have traveled abroad talk about rock-climbing, canoeing, and all sorts of other sports attempted successfully while abroad.  And, those that have participated before in MU’s renowned summer teaching program in Korea, recount with glee the many happy experiences they had from learning to take shoes off when entering rooms to standing out of respect for superiors entering in a room.  Most importantly, they reflect on how much their eager 6^th and 8^th grade students changed them.

This year’s cohort of nearly twenty summer teachers represents the very best and brightest at MU.  Through a rigorous interview and selection process, MU students and recent graduates are vetted for their interest in foreign cultures, love of teaching, desire to expand their understanding through service, and a host of other qualities that make MU’s student teachers the very best that teach each summer from the four-school consortium to which MU belongs.

At the orientation, beginning with introductions, this soon-to-be group of friends swapped stories about their embarrassing experiences, strangest foods ever eaten, and found out what they had in common.  Mostly, they learned that they have more similarities than differences – a lesson which will be critical when they join together to teach students in a few short weeks.

The summer camps are located in the southern part of Korea in a province that calls Missouri its sister state.  Summer English language classes are critical for these students, since many of these children in southern Korea do not have access to Seoul’s prestigious English tutors and teachers.  But, as a result of MU’s involvement and belief that international development makes Missouri strong, these children will have a better start in life.  Our MU students, on the other hand, get a once in a lifetime chance to help build the confidence of rural children, help Korean children have fun with English language, and get a fully paid trip to Korea to experience Korean culture firsthand, sponsored by a Korean government scholarship.  Clearly, this program is very beneficial for all involved.  

No question about it – there will be tears when students and teachers part in August and all of the work that went into building this precious international summer community will be worth it.  The food and cultural experiences will all be remembered, as will many of the funny mistakes that are inevitably made while living in another country.  Ultimately, MU will be enriched by the experiences that these young scholars bring back to campus.