BY JOY OFASIA
Four teachers and four students from Perch Christian School travelled to South Korea to participate in an international school exchange program aimed at promoting cultural understanding, educational development, and global leadership.
Speaking to SUNDAY ISLES about the initiative, Perch Christian School Director and Panatina Ward, Honiara City Council (HCC) Councillor, Lydia Yeo said the exchange program has its roots in discussions held in 2019 during a visit to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea by then-opposition leader, now Prime Minister Mathew Wale, and Former MP North-west Guadalcanal Constituency Hon. Bodo Dettke.
During that visit, a request was made for greater support in youth cultural education. This led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Assembly delegation, the Seoul National University Rainwater Research Centre, and the World Youth Exchange Federation.
“The program focuses not only on educational exchanges but also on humanitarian efforts, including the installation of rainwater facilities in underprivileged communities where access to safe drinking water is limited, it also provides global educational internship opportunities for students and teachers,” Yeo explained.
While in South Korea, the Solomon Islands delegation will take part in a range of cultural and educational activities, including the Youth Culture Expo organised by the World Youth Exchange Federation.
Yeo said the exchange is expected to provide participants with valuable opportunities to experience different cultures, gain exposure to advanced educational environments, and build meaningful relationships with students and educators from around the world.
“This program allows participants to share educational visions, experience a more advanced cultural environment, and achieve both spiritual and personal growth,” she said.
The exchange program brings together the Korean Council of Schools, Christian schools from various countries, and participants from 14 nations across Oceania, making it one of the region’s largest international educational exchange initiatives.
Yeo said she hopes the Perch Christian School team will return home with new knowledge, broader perspectives, and stronger leadership qualities.
“We hope they will experience advanced educational models and diverse cultures firsthand. Beyond expanding their academic and cultural understanding, we want them to develop strong ethics and sound values so they can grow into global leaders who will contribute to the future development of the Solomon Islands and the international community,” she said.
Although the international exchange program has been operating since the MOU was signed in 2019, Solomon Islands participants have only joined in recent years. According to Yeo, since taking on the role of City Consular in 2024, she has actively encouraged the participation of Solomon Islands teachers and students.
“This year marks the third time that students and teachers from the Solomon Islands have participated in the program. It represents another important step in strengthening cultural and educational cooperation between our countries,” said Yeo.
