Fulbright-Hays GPA to S. Korea

A group of 16 New Jersey educators, including teachers from New Jersey schools and William Paterson University students and faculty, successfully completed their four-week visit to South Korea, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) grant. Led by Dr. Carrie Eunyoung Hong, professor of Literacy, and Dr. Kyung-Hyan Angie Yoo, professor of Communication, from William Paterson University of New Jersey, the group explored pedagogical and technological innovations in South Korean educational settings to enhance their teaching practices. 

      Click to Watch Fulbright-Hays Teacher Training Program in Korea 2024

This project marks William Paterson University’s second teacher training program in Korea. In 2014, the university also received this grant (see the details at https://teachingaboutkorea.com/index.htm) and has continued to foster Korea-US educational exchanges through various grants and programs. Recently, through the SEED Grant supported by the Korean Studies Promotional Service of South Korea, the university successfully organized summer training in Korea for 13 undergraduate students over the past three years (2020-2023) and established a Korean Studies Minor in 2022.

Fulbright-Hays GPA Grant: Founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is highly competitive and selects awardees nationwide each year. This grant is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) office. The grant supports overseas projects involving training, research, and curriculum development in world languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty.

Their project, "Enriching Education through Cross-cultural Exploration: Learning from Technology and Pedagogy Innovations in South Korea," received a $168,280 Fulbright-Hays grant and was one of the 32 GPA awardees selected nationwide in 2023. It focuses on three objectives:

  1. Comparative Exploration of Education Systems: The educators compare South Korea’s education systems and practices with those in the US. 
  2. Cultural Immersion: Participants immerse themselves in Korea's rich history and vibrant culture.
  3. Technological Advancements: They explore how AI, virtual reality, and social media are shaping the future of education. 

      To achieve these goals, the group participated in several activities, including:  

      • Teaching in a Korean High School: The group visited Suwon Academy of World Languages High School, teaching classes on subjects including English, science, social studies, and art. This interaction helped the educators understand Korean education by engaging directly with high school students. 
      • Cultural and Educational Tours: The group traveled across cities such as Seoul, Kongju, Sejong, Jeonju, Busan, and Gyeongju, participating in enrichment activities, visiting historical landmarks, and attending seminars at educational institutions. 
      • AI-Assisted Teacher Exchange: The program includes a Korea-U.S. teacher matching initiative, where 29 Korean and American teachers and pre-service teachers collaborate through AI-enhanced communication. This exchange aims to improve mutual understanding and share innovative educational practices.

        Chungnam Science High School Visit.JPEG

      Upon returning their trip, participants completed various outreach activities for New Jersey educators. One of the outcomes is the generation of lesson plans about Korea across subject areas. Here are some examples of Lesson Plans developed by participants.

      • Science
      1. Lesson on... (Ms. Sue-Anne Alonso)
      2. Lesson on Kim Chi (Ms. Jacquline Katz)
      3. Lesson on Entomology Research (Ms. Ivette Soto)
      4. Lesson on... (Mr. Adam Fleisher)
      5. Lesson on Weather Trends of South Korea and New Jersey (Mr. Domenick Ciminiello)
      • Social Studies
      1. Lesson on The Impact of Culture on Korean and U.S. Educational Systems (Mr. Ryan McKenna)
      • English/Language Arts
      1. Lesson on Exploring Identity and Culture through Memoirs (Ms. Priscilla Yoon)
      2. Lesson on Japanese Imperialism and Korean Literature (Mr. Austin Murphy-Park)
      3. Lesson on Pachinko (Ms. Christy Lee)
      4. Lesson on Exploring Fables/Folktales Across Cultures (Ms. Rachel Morgese)
      5. Lesson on Korean Poetry & the Independence Movement (Ms. Sara De La Cruz Jimenez)
      6. Lesson on a Korean Folktale, Dangun Story  (Ms. Nicole Kahwaty)
      • Art & Music
      1. Lesson on Minhwa: Expressing Personal Culture Through Art (Ms. Emily Evanowski)
      2. Lesson on Arirang, Korean Traditional Folk Song (Ms. Julia Macedo)

      Explore the journey of 16 dedicated educators from New Jersey as they immerse themselves in South Korea's dynamic educational landscape. Gain some insights from our photo gallery, capturing the essence of this unique educational adventure.

      Click Here To View Photo Gallery