Gyeonggi Province held the "Gyeonggi Youth Ladder High Teens (Ladder Teens Achieved Together)" event on the 7th at the main auditorium of the Gyeonggi Human Resources Development Institute in Jangan-gu, Suwon.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met and encouraged the youths returning from a three-week overseas training program, expressing his hope that it would become a new turning point in their lives.
On the 7th, Governor Kim attended the ‘Gyeonggi Youth Ladder High Teens (Ladder Teens Achieved Together)’ event held at the main auditorium of the Gyeonggi Human Resources Development Institute in Jangan-gu, Suwon. He shared, "While studying at the University of Michigan, I had an experience that became a major turning point in my life. One day, while studying, I realized that I had been living as if someone else’s dream was my own, and that changed my life significantly."
He added, "Since then, while serving in public office, as a university president, and as governor of Gyeonggi Province, I have wanted to provide many opportunities for young people and youths to find what they truly want to do and discover their own dreams."
He continued, "I believe that by trying many things, experiencing failures, and small successes, one gradually determines what they want to do. I hope you all find what you want to pursue in the future," and encouraged, "I hope that through opportunities like this, prepared together with Gyeonggi Province, the daily lives of Gyeonggi’s youths and young people will be happy."
The Gyeonggi Youth Ladder program supports overseas training to help youths cultivate a global mindset, motivate self-development, and explore career paths. It was selected and promoted as a project funded by the Lottery Fund of the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Lottery Commission.
Participants, composed of youths from 3rd year middle school to 2nd year high school, departed on July 22 and 25 and spent three weeks until August 12 in Detroit, USA, and Toronto, Canada, engaging in language training and various local experiences.
On this day, participants received certificates of completion and presented team projects they had prepared during the training period. Project topics included producing short-form videos promoting Korean culture, introducing traditional Korean games, promoting Bibimbap, presentations and fashion shows related to recycling, dance performances, and producing a Ladder Teens documentary.
During the ‘Talk Talk Ladder Teens’ session, where participants shared their experiences, Jang Jung-won, a first-year student at Wonmi High School in Bucheon, performed a self-written rap about cherishing good memories from the training, filling themselves with hope and confidence, and walking their own paths, which received great applause.
Also, Shin Hyo-jung, a first-year student at Suwon Girls’ High School who dreams of becoming a rock climbing athlete, said, "I realized that experiencing something is like the difference between seeing Niagara Falls in a photo and standing before its grandeur, feeling the water spray all over your body. The Gyeonggi Youth Ladder has become a compass for my life, helping me pursue my dream of becoming a great rock climbing athlete in the vast nature."
Some students sent international mail from abroad during the training, expressing gratitude to Governor Kim Dong-yeon, saying, "Thanks to this, I am seeing various worlds and making good memories," and "I will strive to become someone who can share the benefits I received with others."
During the subsequent ‘Ladder Teens Awards’ session, Gyeonggi Province awarded the governor’s commendation to six outstanding participants of the Youth Ladder program. The participants appointed Governor Kim Dong-yeon as an ‘Honorary Ladder Teen.’ In their appointment letter, they stated, "We will remember the governor by the special name ‘Ladder Uncle.’ Thanks to your warm support and encouragement, we were able to nurture our dreams and take on challenges. With the hope that such opportunities continue, we appoint you as an ‘Honorary Ladder Teen.’"
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