APIS Update 2014 GCP Special (Print Edition)

Issue 20.

March 2014

APIS UPDATE

Address: 57 Wolgye-ro 45ga-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-852, Korea Website: www.apis.seoul.kr

GCP Special Issue Thailand Vietnam Philippines Indonesia Korea

GCP 2014

2014 GCP SPECIAL

APIS Global Citizens Program This year, APIS students have once again had the amazing opportunity to expand their world through participation in the Global Citizens Program (GCP) trips. Secondary students from 6th – 12th grade traveled to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines where they were able to move beyond the classroom and experience another culture first-hand. Some students who opted not to go abroad this year also traveled to Jeju Island in Korea to explore famous sights and do some service work cleaning up Olle Trails.

Confucius wrote, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” The Global Citizens Program at APIS is designed with this truth in mind, and provides our students the chance to visit international destinations and actually “DO.” Focused on interacting with each other and with the local populations, students learned what it would be like to live in very different climates as well as socio-economic conditions. They learned the satisfaction of serving others through a variety of projects. They tasted new foods, listened to new music, played new games, and smelled new smells. They moved outside their comfort zones and expanded their horizons.

APIS believes GCP is critical in reaching our mission of creating globally enlightened citizens in that it takes students out of the textbook and actually places them on the ground, providing them a rich experience interacting with other cultures. GCP also transcends the typical tourist experience by including aspects of Service Learning, Cultural Exchange, Team Building, Adventure, and Spiritual Growth. For these reasons, the Global Citizens Program is a required part of an APIS education. Most importantly, the Global Citizens Program provides students the chance to have an authentic experience with global education and embrace cultural learning while creating life-long memories with their teachers and friends.

American author, Mark Twain, wrote that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Over the course of these trips, our students left their little corner of the earth and took one step towards gaining the empathy needed to become better global citizens.

We are excited to see the tremendous personal growth our students gained through these international educational excursions, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to providing APIS students a uniquely global education.

Scott Paulin Secondary School Principal

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From the GCP Coordinator The famous philosopher Socrates once said, “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” Now that the 2014 Global Citizens Program (GCP) is a recent memory, 200 of our finest APIS students can also echo Socrates’ sentiments with pride.

As the Coordinator of GCP, I have a unique vantage point to see these trips from beginning to end and even had the privilege to take part in this year’s Telunas Beach trip to Indonesia. Without a doubt, I believe the GCP is one of the finest “classroom experiences” we offer at APIS. Where else can young people learn the value of serving the needy, relying on each other, meeting new friends and building relationships that will last a lifetime...all while standing on a distant shore? GCP, of course!

As you glance through the following pages, pay close attention to the student quotes in each of the articles. It is there where you will experience the real impact of GCP and the fruit of everyone’s labors. It took an entire community of administrators, faculty, and parents to make the Global Citizens Program happen and, believe me, the hundreds of hours that were put into planning this year’s GCP were well worth the effort.

GCP 2014

2014 GCP SPECIAL

So, if you’re reading this, you probably had a part to play in the success of GCP. Allow me this opportunity to to say a heartfelt “thank you” and to keep an eye out in the coming months for some exciting news about our plans for next year.

In closing, I leave you with a quote from American Anthropologist, Margaret Mead. She said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Only time will tell the full impact of GCP. I’m so glad we get a firsthand glimpse into students changing their world from within.

Andrew Murphy GCP Coordinator

Program

Division

Trip Date

Faculty

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Middle School

Feb. 22 - March 2

Mr. Woodrow, Ms. Pendleton

Hanoi, Vietnam

High School

Feb. 22 - March 1

Ms. Lawson, Mr. Russell, Mr. Weller

Quezon City, Philippines

High School

Feb. 22 - March 1

Ms. Young, Pastor Luginbill

Telunas Beach, Indonesia

Middle School

Feb. 22 - March 2

Mr. Durham, Ms. Johnston, Mr. Stapleton

Telunas Beach, Indonesia

High School

Feb. 22 - March 2

Mr. Murphy, Ms. Hayne

Jeju Island, Korea

Middle School

Feb. 24 - Feb. 28

Ms. Wenzig, Mr. Beatty, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Lee

Jeju Island, Korea

High School

Feb. 24 - Feb. 28

Mr. Paulin, Mr. Walker, Mr. Illie Ms. Draszkiewicz, Ms. Kong, Mr. Sim

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GCP 2014

THAIL AND

Middle School Trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand

By Mr. Jeff Woodrow

Day 1

Arrival/ Orientation/ Games

Day 5

Service Learning/ Boat Trip

Day 2

Team Building/ Rafting/ Lecture

Day 6

Service Learning/ High Ropes

Day 3

Service Learning/ Discussions

Day 7

Service Learning/ Farewell

Day 4

Service Learning/ Thai Cooking

Day 8

Hiking/ Archery/ Departure

The adventure began by piling into the back of an old black pick-up truck and setting off to a destination unknown.

The energetic middle school crew from Asia Pacific International School joined together in harmony singing show tunes, with arms around each other, as the early morning orange sun peaked over the lush mountains.

After driving up a dirt road for several kilometers, the truck promptly stopped at the side of the road by the river, dropped everyone off and then left the group stranded. Sitting by the side of the road were bamboo poles, some inflatable inner tubes and various pieces of rope. The adventure guide leading the trip demonstrated a reef knot, as students looked on with anticipation and confusion. Using the limited supplies available, it was their challenge to build a floating raft that would support everyone for a journey down the Mekong River.

This experience served as a metaphor for the entire trip. As the river ebbs and flows, you must embrace the current and be open to heading in new directions. If there is large rock in the middle of the river, you must be decisive and figure out how to get around it, all while remembering the importance of slowing down to be in the moment, to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the journey.

For some it was the high ropes course, for others it was learning to mountain bike, swinging across the confidence course or hiking through the jungle. Regardless of what came next, the students worked together, faced their fears and overcame any obstacles that stood in their way. New friendships were formed, fears concurred, laughs shared and memories were created that will last a lifetime.

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A big challenge during GCP that I consistently encountered was overcoming my fears. Almost every single day I was doing something that was out of my ‘comfort zone’, whether it was attempting to complete an obstacle course over a pool of tadpole-infested waters, teaching a class of hill tribe kids who hardly spoke English and in some cases were older and bigger than me, or trying out abseiling and a high ropes course in the same hour. Before this week, none of these things were things I would even consider doing, but last week I did every single one of them and I did them, in many cases, beyond what was mandatory. I think this has made me a lot more confident, and I’m starting to reconsider both what I previously thought of as my limits and my fears.

GCP 2014

THAIL AND

Kayley Suk (Grade 8) Taking the road less travelled.

Friends float down the Mekong River on a raft they constructed.

Many hands make light work.

Philip Yoon, Cole Park, and Soo Yoon Hwang (Grade 6) master Thai cooking. Mr. Woodrow, where is your hair net?

Growing and learning through teaching. Kaylee Suk (Grade 8), Cassendra Park (Grade 6), and Jennifer Kang (Grade 8) teach English to Thai students.

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GCP 2014

VIETNAM

High School Trip to Vietnam

By Ms. Brittany Lawson Day 1

Arrival

Day 5

Service Learning/ Cooking

Day 2

Departure for Mai Chau/ Rafting

Day 6

Service Learning/ Handover

Day 3

Service Learning/ Embroidery Class

Day 7

Hanoi Full Day City Tour

Day 4

Service Learning/ School Visit/ Dance

Day 8

Departure

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

- Saint Augustine

Thirty four students arrived in Hanoi ready for adventure, fun and a life-changing experience. One of the most interesting experiences students had in Vietnam was being able to enjoy seeing the sights and sound of the Old Quarter by riding in a rickshaw. After just arriving, it was a great way to orient ourselves around the part of the city in which we were staying. Students commented on all of the beautiful art shops that were in the area. Our first of many delicious meals on the trip was served to us at a restaurant that rescues street children and youth and trains them in the restaurant industry. It was inspiring to see how young people and the community were benefiting from this restaurant. Although rain tried to interfere with our plans, the night market close to the hotel was still a must see.

While the city was a great place to start, it was the villages that we visited during the trip that had the most impact on students. The first village we visited in the Mai Chau district was breathtaking. With mountains and rice paddies surrounding us, students were able to take in the nature around them. This was especially true when students participated in the bamboo rafting activity that was very entertaining for us and the locals! It was also a unique experience to interview our hosts about the village and their daily lives; a rare opportunity that most visitors to the area do not receive.

After hiking to our next destination, we were greeted by eager eyes and friendly smiles of children who yelled “Hello� to us. The children were very curious about us and over the course of the three days, they connected with our students very well. It was great to take breaks from building the foundation for a new classroom and play with the children. While there was a lot of hard work to be done, it was great to see how much progress was made in such little time. We took two suitcases full of donations and supplies and gave them to two different schools in the area. Students were able to play games with children, teach art lessons, and play music and sports. It was amazing to see how much fun the children were having with our students. There was a ton of great energy in the air.

Between the fan dancing, laughter, and performances at the farewell ceremony, it was hard for many students to say goodbye to the villagers. There were lots of hugs and when students were asked what their favorite part of the trip was, all students said the experiences of bonding with the children in the village topped their list. After riding back to Hanoi and taking in an outstanding water puppet theater show, it was time to head home. However, the excitement we had throughout the trip was still in our hearts and minds.

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Building the foundation of a new kindergarten classroom.

This year’s GCP was definitely special and unique in that it dramatically changed me as a person and my perspective of the world. The first and the last couple of the days of the trip were spent at a marvelous hotel. However, most of the time was spent at the village with the local Vietnamese people. The first village that we encountered was rather clean compared to the second.

The second village was a definite shock to me because we lived with chickens, dogs, cats, cows, and pigs. Every morning, my colleagues and I awoke to the bark, cluck, oink, etc. of the farm animals as an alarm clock. Experiencing this for my own, I realized how much I took something as simple as showers and electronic alarm clocks for granted. I became more appreciative of the world and what I was surrounded by at home.

Sophie Chung (Grade 11)

GCP 2014

VIETNAM

Experiencing Vietnamese culture through a pottery class and getting to paint our own creations.

A goodbye celebration, including dancing and pom poms from the students.

High School GCP Vietnam 2014

Taking in the beautiful bamboo on a hike to our homestay. Are we there yet?

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GCP 2014

PHILIPPINES

THEIA Trip to the Philippines

By Ms. Janice Young Day 1

Arrival

Day 2

Orientation/ Team Building/ Presentation & Skit at Youth Service

Day 3

Teaching Day at Logos Christian School for Disabled Children

Day 4

Field Trip with Joy Missions to Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari

Day 5

Joy Missions Outreach (visit to Aeta Tribe and Church Plant)

Day 6

Teaching Day at Logos Hope Community

Day 7

Joy Missions Outreach (Manila City Youth Center)/ Talent Show

Day 8

Debrief & Departure

Community

Talent Show

e Sand” Skit

th “Footprints in

Imagine yourself riding around Quezon City in a Jeepney, the warm breeze brushing against you and your friends as you wait in anticipation. As you turn onto the street, you see groups of children gathered. There’s a moment of recognition, and suddenly they’re screaming cries of “welcome,” “we love you,” and “we missed you.” They lead you down the path, where more families, children and missionaries are smiling, clapping and celebrating your return.

This is the welcome we received upon our arrival in the Philippines.

Whether it was our first, second, or third time in the Philippines, the Logos Hope Church community always welcomes us with open arms.

This particular trip was different than any other time Theia has served with Joy Disability Missions Inc (JDMI).

Having partnered with the organization for the last three years, one unique advantage we had as a group was the ability to see the growth in the ministry. Upon our arrival, we were ushered into the newly completed building that Theia began our first year in Quezon City. JDMI now uses the space for church services, fellowship, and the Logos Christian School for Disabled Children.

It was a true honor to serve alongside the volunteers of JDMI for the week. We spent most of our time at Logos Hope Church, volunteering at the Logos Christian School and leading children’s Bible study classes for other kids in the community. We spent hours worshipping, playing games, and participating in team-building activities.

Theia was also invited to participate in outreach and vision trips with JDMI. We served as volunteers on their yearly trip, and also had the chance to explore Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari with our new friends. On Wednesday, we visited with the Aeta Tribe, one of the earliest settlements in the Philippines. After a time of fellowship, we headed to a partner church and visited the land for JDMI’s new Church plant and community for disabled children. Perhaps one of the most memorable visits was our outreach at the Manila Youth Center for street children. As we performed our skits and led worship, we all felt the powerful presence of God. Although we only spent a brief period of time with these kids, it was an experience that truly changed each of us.

Overall, the trip was an amazing experience that inspired us to dream big and to graciously serve those around us. Thank you again for supporting Theia throughout the year, and for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime.

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Kyle Park (10th grade) being a good sport during our face painting activity with the children.

Kyle Park (10th grade) being a good sport during our face painting activity with the children.

During a day of teaching at the Logos Hope Community, we had some fun with face paint.

Pastor Zach leading our time of worship with the Aeta Tribe.

Before I went to the Philippines, my life in Seoul, Korea was so small and it felt like my life was blocked and scheduled every single day. I didn’t recognize how I was living until I visited the Philippines. I experienced so much in the Philippines with the children, especially those with disabilities. After visiting the Youth Center and the Aeta tribe, I realized my perspective on the world, and I now have a new dream. I don’t want to waste my life. After joining THEIA 2014, I feel so thankful for everything that I have.

GCP 2014

PHILIPPINES

Minji Park (Grade 11)

Kyle Park (10th grade) being a good sport during our face painting activity with the children.

Kyle Park (10th grade) being a good sport during our face painting activity with the children.

At the Manila Youth Shelter, Theia had a powerful time of worship, prayer and fellowship together. Although we had only a brief time with the community, it was a difficult goodbye.

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GCP 2014

IND ONESIA

Middle School Trip to Telunas Beach, Indonesia

By Mr. Christopher Stapleton Day 1

Arrival/ Team Building

Day 2

Jetty Jumping/ Raft Building/ Cultural Briefing

Day 3

Visit Local Village/ Service Learning/ Shrimping

Day 4

Local Village/ Service Learning/ Kampung Games

Day 5

Local Village / Service Learning/ Star Gazing

Day 6

Jungle Hike/ Local Fishing/ Bonfire

Day 7

Telunas Adventure Race/ Departure

After a long, 24-hour trek to Telunas Beach, Indonesia we were greeted with fresh orange juice, salty ocean air, and warm breezes. Huge smiles spread across the twenty six middle schoolers’ faces as they stepped off the long boat on to the wooden jetty. Although this was the end of a day of traveling, the real trip was just beginning. Alex Woo said it best, “The prologue has been written. Now it’s time for chapter one!”

Our time at Telunas included experiences connected to all four Day 8 Arrive in Seoul of APIS GCP’s goals of teamwork, adventure, service learning, and culture. Mike, our guide and trip leader, spent the first two days molding and encouraging our students through team building activities like raft building, rock-paper-scissors variations, challenges, and trust games. The students quickly became comfortable communicating with each other and working together to accomplish tasks. These skills were crucial for the days to come.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were spent primarily helping a school build a wall. The purpose of the wall was to keep the school enclosed so students would have a separate space for learning and wouldn’t get distracted from the daily life on the soccer field or in the surrounding village houses. In order to construct the wall, the students needed to transport materials and water to the site and mix sand and rocks to create concrete. In addition, they needed to work together to evenly lay the blocks so the wall’s pillars and face were flat and strong. There were times when the students would get midway through a project, and realize their construction wasn’t even. They would then have to start over. Nevertheless, they remained positive and found pleasure in doing good work.

When the students weren’t working on the wall, they were playing with the students from the village school. They played soccer and volleyball and exchanged Korean and Indonesian group games for fun. The students really bonded well with each other.

While being at Telunas, we really enjoyed the numerous activities that were offered. We fished using raw chicken and thread, jumped off the jetty into the ocean, built sand castles, played card games and truth or dare, and relaxed in the hammocks on the beach. Each night the students had activities from mini games to bonfires. By the time 10 pm rolled around, they were ready for sleep!

The day before we left to head back for Korea, the students participated in a day hike to a waterfall. They learned about village life, religion, and the economics of the region (rubber). At the end of their hour long hike, they were given a chance to jump off rocks into a waterhole beneath a waterfall. It was a great way to finish a fantastic week.

Each student left Indonesia with their own treasure box of memories. There is no doubt that the experiences and opportunities provided through this week long journey are priceless. The students have truly become global citizens.

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When I helped out the village (Buah Rawa) by building walls and pillars for the school, I always saw the village people smiling and trying to help us. Buah Rawa wasn’t the best place to live. Their houses were run down, there were stray animals and trash everywhere, and they didn’t have any new technology or enough fresh water. All the children were happy and having fun with the little things they had. But in places like Korea and America, everyone has complaints about the things they don’t have and don’t appreciate the things they have. The village people have so little compared to us but they were much happier than us. This made me realize that I should be happier with what I have and not waste the things I can afford.

Donna Kim (Grade 8)

The students enjoyed jumping into the water hole beneath the waterfall.

GCP 2014

IND ONESIA

A perfect way to end the day; dinner and a sunset.

Henry Kim, Jamie Yoon, Seeun Park (Grade 7), Sophie Yoo (Grade 8), and Mr. Stapleton working hard to build level pillars for the schoolyard walls.

Teaching and learning games with the local students in the village.

Middle School GCP Telunas 2014

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GCP 2014

IND ONESIA

High School Trip to Telunas Beach, Indonesia

By Mr. Andrew Murphy Day 1

Arrival/ Team Building/ Cultural Briefing

Day 2

Visit Local Village/ Service Learning/ Kayaking/ Kampung Games

Day 3

Local Village/ Service Learning/ Evening Village Activities

Day 4

Service Learning/ Fishing/ Star Gazing

Day 5

Adventure Race/ Jetty Jumping/ Low Ropes Course/ Shrimping

Day 6

Jungle Hike/ Camp Fire

The Telunas Beach, Indonesia GCP trip for high school students was a fun, challenging, and exciting experience. The journey over was a small challenge that was worthwhile when the group arrived in what can only be described as a tropical paradise.

Upon arrival there was a sense of apprehension and nervDay 8 Arrive in Seoul ousness for the entire group. But when we started with some fun and challenging team building games, which helped prepare us for our community service project and culture exchange, fears turned to curiosity and excitement. The group was eager to learn and get to know our new teachers for the week. The next day we embarked on a 20-minute boat ride to the to the island of Pau. When we arrived, we were greeted by the village elders who introduced us to our hosts who would take care of us for the next three days. After having lunch at one of the local houses, we began our community project where we built the village’s first and only shower/washroom. Our task was to build a bathroom/well to allow for privacy from the rest of the village as people showered and retrieved water. Our students pushed themselves to finish walls and learn as much as they could about the local people from Pau and their way of life. During breaks we played with local students and villagers in various games including volleyball and soccer. We went home the first day tired and sore, but full of energy. That night we went sea kayaking, swimming, played some games and enjoyed a beach fire.

Day 7

Hike Out / Depart Telunas

The next day we headed for the island of Pau once again for our village stay. We started the day meeting our host family and were accompanied by staff who acted as our translators. We ate their food, and got to know our homestay families. After our meetings, we began to work again and spent most of the day playing with local villagers and young children. Everyone in our group really took a liking to one particular young villager, Ya Ya, who had just become an orphan. We spent that night with our host families, toured the island and even got electricity (rare for the island of Pau) for 3 hours so we could sing some Karaoke. The following day, we finished our walls for the bathroom but not the roof. The high school students were disappointed as it was the end of community service and we did not finish. However, we were pleased to learn that we made a great start and that our donations provided the village with supplies to finish the roof of the washroom/well.

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After returning home from working in the village, we had free time to swim, play on the beach and jetty jump! At night we played games, relaxed, and enjoyed the company of our friends in the perfect paradise of Telunas. With three days left, there was still plenty of adventure ahead. The next day challenged our students with a low ropes course, an adventure course, and night shrimping. All of the activities were fun and exciting for students and staff. The second to last day saw our high school student’s hike and venture into the jungle and camp overnight. The students learned about the jungle, got to do some safe cliff jumping and brave the wild as they slept in hammocks underneath the stars. The adventure into the jungle really brought the group together as we supported and pushed each other through the wild terrain. When we returned to Telunas the next day, the overwhelmingly popular sentiment was that we all needed to go swimming. But more than that was that we made it, and there was a connection between us that was not there before. Bonds were created and an experience of a lifetime had been had. We will never forget the relationships that were made, the wonderful experiences had, or the valuable life lessons that we learned at Telunas Beach Indonesia.

Crystal Cho and Gloria Lee (Grade 9) hanging out with Ya Ya and his friends.

GCP 2014

IND ONESIA

William Sohn (Grade 11) and Mr. Murphy focusing on building the walls.

The homestay we did on the 3rd day in Indonesia was eye-opening. The moment we landed on Pau, we were in a completely different world. The people in Pau only had electricity from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and no fan was available to make the room cool. So in the afternoon, at the peak of the day, we could see them go out in the front yard to cool off, talking to their neighbors. It was a relaxed scene that was hard to find in Korea or other developed countries. The people there were enjoying their life even though they were in a poor condition. This made me think that happiness doesn’t come from what you have but in the way you react to the situation.

Crystal Cho (Grade 9)

Students get comfortable in the water before they jetty jump.

Exploring the jungle with our guides and camp leaders.

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GCP 2014

KOREA

Middle & High School Trip to Jeju Island High School

Middle School Day 1

Team Building

Day 1

Arrival/ Orientation

Day 2

Service Learning/ BBQ & Campfire

Day 2

Service Learning/ Clean up Olle Trail

Day 3

Go-Kart/ Pacific Island/ ATV

Day 3

Go-Kart/ ATV/ Teambuilding

Day 4

Maze/ Sunrise Peak

Day 4

Sunrise Peak/ Maze

Day 5

Back Home

Day 5

Back Home

By Ms. Tammi Wenzig Though we didn’t go far, the excitement of a plane ride was the first step of many on the Middle School GCP trip to Jeju! After finding our rooms and enjoying some lunch, we jumped right into group activities designed to help us work together as teams in new ways. We passed bananas with our feet, built towers, fought wars, and learned to communicate our ideas while listening to others.

When it was time for our community service, our main task was to gather trash from the beach and surrounding areas. We were surprised to find so much garbage everywhere. Our bags were already bursting after only 20 minutes! A group of diving women were gathering near where our Olle Trail cleaning began and they stopped a few members of the group to thank us. It felt really good to be doing something useful and enjoying the fresh ocean view at the same time. Soon, we were able to empty our trash bags into a recycling area and begin to fill them again as we walked along the trail.

When we finally reached the beach at the other end of our hike, we were very ready for lunch! We watched the sea and after eating, we explored the tidal pools. It was surprising to find so many creatures and plants we hadn’t seen before and some members of our group even caught some tiny fish in our water bottles. Don’t worry, we let them go again quickly. We came to take away the trash, not the fish!

For the rest of our time on the island, we rose to the challenge of riding ATV’s and go-karts, found our way out of a very complicated maze, and even climbed to the top of Sunrise Peak! It was a week full of good memories, times of growing closer to our friends, and eating good food. Each night around the campfire, we talked about the experiences of the day and quietly went back to our rooms to enjoy more bonding time with snacks and games. Jeju was a place to see amazing scenery and smell the clean air and ocean breeze. We left the island with many new memories and closer friendships.

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One of my favorite moments during Jeju was picking up trash. At Jeju, one service learning we did was picking up trash on the roads of Jeju. At first I was really reluctant picking up trash and walking long distances. However, as I looked around and picked up the litter, it made me feel lighter and happier. It felt good to think that I was saving the Earth, and also pick up the garbage that would have had to lay there for a hundred years. Even though only a bag of trash didn’t make much difference, there were thirty-five cases filled with litter which made a pretty big move.

James Park (Grade 8)

Crabs, tiny fish, and mystery creatures! After lunch, students explored the beach and tidal pools to discover the tiny lives being lived unseen by those who rush by on the road.

A great way to explore the countryside! Middle schoolers experienced the feeling of power as they rode ATVs on the muddy trails-- rain couldn’t stop our fun!

GCP 2014

KOREA

The main lesson I learned through this trip was the way to collaborate and work with others in order to produce something that further exceeds anything that I will obtain from my own strength and will. For example, the amount of trash our whole group picked up in the community service saved a lot more trees and lives of creatures than probably whatever I would’ve done by myself.

Also, I was able to learn the beauty of mother nature along with the fact that we humans are destroying it; like throwing trash anywhere. Naturally, I also figured that I should really help out the nature by performing even simple acts such as picking up trash in the area around me. Yet, the important part was that I felt all this not through any essay writing, lecture, or textbook but through my own eyes and actions. This way I was really able to think deeper about the environmental issues and conducts of human beings than any other time.

Daniel Bae (Grade 9)

Doing our part! Smiles all around as we cleared the beach of trash to return the natural beauty of Jeju.

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GCP 2014

KOREA

By Mr. Nathan Walker Our High School students got a taste of service, adventure, and fun on their trip to Jeju Island. During the trip, our students enjoyed staying in a nice pension near the ocean, and had plenty of time to build relationships.

On our first full day on the island, we went on a mission to pick up trash from the beaches. Splitting up into teams, we hiked portions of the famous Olle trails, collecting litter and garbage along the way. Our students really made a difference on the appearance of the trails, and we even had several local residents thank us personally! According to our pedometers, some groups hiked as much as 19 kilometers in one day. Needless to say, we learned a lot about our capabilities as individuals and as a group.

The following day was a day of adventure and team-building.

We got muddy while riding ATVs through the forest, we raced each other on Go-Karts on an indoor track, and we explored the rocky beaches of the island.

Our third day on the island was comprised of more outdoor and walking activities. We got lost in the Jeju Maze, which is a garden maze made of hedge trees. After finding our way back out, we moved on to Sunrise Peak, where we hiked to the top to enjoy the view. Some of us were very surprised to learn that we could hike up a mountain!

Pass the banana… with your feet. Loser eats the squashed fruit! Ewww!

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Students bond with friends around a bonfire at the pension.

Getting dirty on some 4x4 trails.

Dodging tanks or crossing a minefield. Team building games put a smile on everyone’s face.

W W W. A P I S . S E O U L . K R EDITORIAL TEAM: ■ Euysung Kim Director ■ Nicole Suh Art & Design Editor ■ Josephine Shim Communications & PR Team Leader ■ Ashley Stapleton Writing / Editing Staff ■ Brian Beatty Writing / Editing Staff