"Studying Abroad from Seoul to Rural Areas" with a Total of 2,232 Participants

More Than 2,200 Students Have Participated in Rural Study Abroad Since 2021
150 New Students and 231 Returning Students Join for the First Semester of This Year
Gangwon, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk Are the Most Preferred Regions for Study Abroad
Satisfaction Rate Exceeds 90% According to Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Survey

The number of participants in the 'Rural Study Abroad' program conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has surpassed 2,200.

On the 13th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that 381 students will participate in the rural study abroad program for the first semester of this year. Since its inception in 2021, a total of 2,232 students have participated.

Rural Study Abroad is a program where Seoul elementary and middle school students attend rural schools for six months or one year to receive eco-friendly education. Students in grades 1 to 6 of public elementary schools or grades 1 to 2 of middle schools in Seoul are eligible to apply, and they will live in rural areas such as Gangwon, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk.

This year, 150 new students are participating in the first semester, and 231 students who previously participated have applied for an extension.

Among new applicants, 87 students preferred the Gangwon region, the highest number, followed by Jeonnam (42) and Jeonbuk (21). Among extension applicants, Jeonnam was the most preferred region with 101 students.

Students participating in the rural study abroad program for the first semester of this year are expected to move their residence and apply for school transfer to the respective regions in February, and start their rural study abroad life from March.

In a satisfaction survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education last year, the satisfaction rate of students participating in the first semester was 90.9%, and that of students who completed the second semester was 92.8%.

Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Rural Study Abroad has established itself as an educational model where students have the opportunity to learn and grow in nature, allowing urban and rural areas to develop together," and added, "We will strengthen cooperation with local communities to enable more students to participate."