Diversity has long been a defining feature of KDIS. The school spares no effort in fostering this environment and promoting a culture of inclusion among both Korean and international students, who comprise almost 50% of the entire student body. The Home Visiting Program is one such effort.

This longstanding KDI School program encourages hosts—KDI School's Korean students, faculty, and staff—to introduce their guests to Korean culture and lifestyles while learning about the students' diverse backgrounds.

Mrs Misun Han, a staff member at KDI School, participated in the program for the first time, despite having been with the school for almost 20 years. In our recent interview, she shared her motivations, experiences, and the impact of hosting three international students from the Philippines and Brazil.

Mrs Han (posing✌️in the center), and her son (posing👍) with KDIS students. 

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Let's start with your overall experience in the Home-Visiting Program. What was your motivation to apply for this program?

Actually, I work in the Accounting Division at KDI School, and we rarely have the chance to meet and interact with any KDIS students. So, this time I made up my mind to participate in the Home Visiting Program, which felt like a good opportunity to meet our international students and practice some English too (laughs). 

Was this your first time participating in the Home Visiting Program?

Yes, even though I've been working at KDI School for almost 20 years, this was my first time participating.

That makes us more curious about your experience. What made you decide to participate in the Home Visiting Program this time?

I wasn't sure if I could do it alone, but my son who is in middle school was a big motivator. He's interested in other languages and cultures, and I thought it would be a great experience for both of us. His enthusiasm made me feel more confident about participating.

As this was your first time participating, how many students did you host and what preparation did you make for them?

I hosted three students: two from the Philippines and one from Brazil. 

I wanted to focus on a theme that would resonate with the students, so I chose to highlight Gen Z culture in Korea. My son also joined me, which helped bridge the cultural gap. We organized activities like indoor climbing, and bubble tea outings, and ended the day with some Insaeng Nae Cut pictures. 

It sounds like you had a wonderful time. What was the student's reaction to the experience? Did they enjoy the activities and food?

I believe they enjoyed the activities. I had invited them to Areum-dong in Sejong, so they were surprised to know that there were many fun activities to do in Sejong. One of the students even asked me for details about the indoor climbing place for her friends. 

Also, initially, I was worried about them not liking spicy Korean food, but it was a relief to see them enjoying themselves and being open to new experiences.

Were there any cultural exchanges that stood out to you? Did you learn anything about the students' cultures from the Philippines and Brazil?

I was particularly amazed to see my son and the students bond over shared interests in the modern world of IT and technology despite living in different parts of the world. I felt like global empathy was truly a thing.

Oh, and I thought it was only in Korean culture that the young generations used shortened words, but they told me it was almost similar in their countries too. It was fascinating for me to discover that there are many English words that the younger generation introduced or used differently from the older generation. 

Has this experience influenced you personally or professionally?

Despite my long tenure at KDIS, I hesitated to participate in the Home Visiting Program due to concerns about potential cultural and generational differences, fearing I wouldn't be a suitable host. But after participating in the program, I realized how open-minded and accepting the younger generation is. It was a very positive experience overall.

Are you still in touch with the students you hosted?

Yes, we stay in touch through email, Instagram, and KakaoTalk. One student even visited my office afterwards and gave me a small gift. We plan to have lunch together soon.

That sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experience. Do you have any final comments?

I'm glad that I participated. It’s a great way to build connections and understand different cultures. 

However, I also learned that some students were unable to participate in the program this time due to a lack of host participants. There might be because many interested Korean staff members were holding back from participating because of similar concerns I had before the program. By sharing my experience, I hope it will serve as motivation for them to participate in the upcoming programs. (smiles)