TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Tucson students are learning all about South Korean culture from students visiting from abroad.
About 30 students from Ulleungdo, South Korea have been staying with host families within the Tucson Unified School District during the month of January. The students spent time at three local schools, including Sabino High School.
On Wednesday, Sabino staff and students hosted a farewell lunch for the students, who will be returning to Korea on Thursday.
Over the past several weeks, the students visited the Grand Canyon, toured the University of Arizona, and celebrated the Lunar New Year with their host families and Tucson students.
The students say they've all made new friends, and that it's been an educational experience for both sides.
"I think it's so great," said Courtney Swain, a Sabino High School junior. "I'm so fascinated by their culture and just listening to all the things they do at school, and how it's different from here."
"It's very rare that our students get to interact with someone from Korea," said Sabino High School Principal Valerie Payne. "So, having them here has been very enriching to us because of the things they've been able to share with us. One of the things we learned is that (in Korea), students go to school from 8:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night, with extended lunch and dinner breaks."
The students from Korea were just as surprised to learn how short American school days are in comparison to what they're used to.
"In Korea, our day is packed entirely with school and class schedules," said Gyu-dong Kim, one of the visiting students from South Korea. "But here, students have more time and freedom to do what they want."
It's the first year that Sabino High School participated in hosting students from Korea. Campus leaders hope to take part again in the future.
The mayor of Ulleungdo even visited Tucson and met with Tucson mayor Jonathan Rothschild as part of the program.
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