by: Macy Matundan
The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) continues to shape its scholars to become global citizens. Through implementing activities that enable students to interact with foreign students—such as exposing them to various competitions and exchange programs in other countries—scholars become more dynamic, versatile, and confident in working with their fellow intellectuals in different parts of the world.
The SungDo High School Delegates in Pampanga
As part of the Exchange Program of the PSHS Main Campus, students and teachers from the SungDo High School (SDHS) in Busan, Korea visited the Central Luzon Campus (CLC) in January 19 to 22, 2017. CLC Director Lilia T. Habacon welcomed the delegates in the CLC Residence Hall Function Room and led them in a four-day immersion program in the campus.
A total of 16 Korean students and seven SDHS teachers arrived in CLC, together with four main campus (MC) teachers and two MC students. In order to guide them during their stay in the region, eight Grade 10 CLC students were chosen to become the visitors’ buddies who were introduced to the SDHS delegates during the opening ceremony. The buddy system entailed accompanying delegates in the whole duration of their stay.
On their first day, participants went on a tour around City of San Fernando, enjoyed a local amusement park, and indulged in the exquisite cuisine of Pampanga. The next day, the SDHS delegates joined several classes during the day to further immerse the Korean students with the PSHS-CLC scholars. Such classes include Integrated Science, Art, Design, and Technology, Biology, Philippine Constitution and Government, Economics, Academic Writing, Music, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Physical Education.
Familiarity with the Local Culture
The participants visited Nayong Pilipino in Clark where cultural dancers showed the various types of Filipino folk dance—from Luzon to Visayas, up to Mindanao. A soccer game between SDHS and PSHS students was then facilitated in the Clark Development Corporation Parade Grounds.
The Korean delegates did not only experience the Pampanga culture; they were brought to Bataan to expose them to other places in the Central Luzon region. Activities included heritage houses tour, swimming, and beach volleyball.
Exchange Program
The 2017 Sisterhood Festival under the Exchange Program between SDHS and PSHS will still continue this year. Students and teachers from PSHS campuses will visit SDHS in Busan, Korea this coming May to further strengthen the partnership between institutions.
