Gwangju Sanjeong Middle School and France Monod Middle School: Friendship Found on Opposite Sides of the Globe

First Encounter Through the 130 Schools Project
French Students Visit Gwangju for Cultural Experiences
Strengthening Solidarity Through Sports, Language, and Homemade Meals

Students from Sanjeong Middle School in Gwangju and Th?odore Monod Middle School in France are drawing attention as they continue their friendship across borders.

According to the Gwangju Office of Education on the 8th, Sanjeong Middle School has been running an international exchange program between the two schools from the 7th until today. This exchange began through the '130 Schools Project,' which was planned last year by France ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics. The project is an international program in which 130 schools in the Saint-Denis region of France are paired with schools from 130 countries around the world to operate joint educational curricula.

On the 7th, students of Sanjeong Middle School are performing a choir in the 'International Exchange Program.' Photo by Gwangju Office of Education

At that time, second-year students (currently third-year) from Sanjeong Middle School in Korea participated in online joint classes with students from Th?odore Monod Middle School in Saint-Denis, France, on topics such as the values of the Olympics and Paralympics, traditional sports of both countries, and introductions to their respective regions. Sanjeong Middle School conducted classes on p?tanque, a traditional French sport, while Monod Middle School held classes on Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art, thereby broadening the scope of cultural exchange.

The students of both schools promised to meet in person beyond online interactions, and this promise became a reality. Fifteen 4e grade students (equivalent to third-year middle school in Korea) and three teachers from Th?odore Monod Middle School visited Gwangju at the invitation of Sanjeong Middle School.

During the two-day program, students experienced various aspects of Korean culture under the theme of 'Sustainable Solidarity and Friendship,' including meeting their pen pals, taking Korean language classes, playing dodgeball in physical education, and enjoying homemade dinners. Kim Jiyu, a student from Sanjeong Middle School who participated in the exchange, shared her thoughts, saying, "It was hard to believe they came from the other side of the world because we got along so well, so it was sad to see them go."

Based on this exchange, Sanjeong Middle School is considering ways to further develop its relationship with Th?odore Monod Middle School and expand it into a long-term international exchange program. Kim Insuk, principal of Sanjeong Middle School, said, "I hope our students can develop a global perspective and a spirit of challenge by interacting with friends from diverse backgrounds."