International students participate in an art class at Gimcheon High School in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, April 17. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

GIMCHEON, North Gyeongsang Province — In Korea, elementary to high schools have traditionally catered to mostly local students, while universities have actively invited foreign students. However, a notable shift is underway as secondary schools now look to recruit international students, aiming to cultivate talented individuals who can serve as bridges between nations in the long run.

Starting this year, Gimcheon High School in North Gyeongsang Province has embarked on an initiative by welcoming international students into regular academic courses. It is the first time among regular schools in Korea, although there were some cases among vocational high schools.

"In the era of globalization, we want to nurture future leaders and talented individuals by welcoming international students, prioritizing their development over mere job training for positions in Korea," Na Young-ho, headmaster of the school, said in an interview with The Korea Times on the campus, April 17.

Na emphasized that hosting international students would benefit both Korea and their respective home countries. He noted that these students could potentially work in diplomatic roles or maintain communication channels with Korea even after returning home.

The school has admitted eight international students this year, seven from Vietnam and one from Cambodia. The school is an autonomous selective private high school.

The overseas students, motivated by the prospect of enhanced educational opportunities, aspire to pursue diverse career paths.

The main building of Gimcheon High School in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Gimcheon High School

Nguyen Duc Lan, a Vietnamese student whose Korean name is Song Ji-ho, dreams of becoming a pilot.

"If I continue studying in Vietnam, I don't believe I'll have access to the quality education and flight programs I need. That's why I decided to come to Korea with hope," he said.

"I plan to apply to [Korea's] Hanseo University, known for its specialization in aeronautics, or even consider a military school path."

Hoe Un Heang, an international student from Cambodia whose Korean name is Ha Eun-ho, expressed that he wants to study engineering.

"In my country, accessing higher education is quite challenging due to its complex system. However, I believe I'll have better opportunities here to pursue the studies I'm passionate about," he said.

Hoe also highlighted his satisfaction with the school's programs, meeting new friends and having opportunities to share each other's cultures.

A separate language class has been arranged for these eight students, as they are not yet fluent in Korean.

These students are enrolled in four basic Korean courses, each requiring four hours per week, totaling 16 hours per week dedicated to mastering Korean. There are additional afternoon classes for exam preparation to help them take the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK).

Initially, instructors fluent in Vietnamese and Cambodian delivered lessons in the students' native languages, but now the lessons are given in Korean.

"We believe it's crucial for students to learn Korean directly through Korean even if it takes time, specifically considering our plan to bring in more students from different countries," Na said.

Beyond language classes, those students have music and physical education classes together with their Korean peers. The school intends to integrate Korean and international students into joint classes for all subjects starting from second grade, following the completion of basic Korean courses by the overseas students.

A Vietnamese student draws the Korean flag on a panel during an art class at Gimcheon High School in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, April 17. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

During an art class on April 17, a lively and creative atmosphere filled the room as students simultaneously worked on their drawings while enjoying music.

The class project involved creating four panels, each representing a blend of cultures including the students' own, their favorite aspects of Korean culture and the national flags of each country along with the Korean flag.

Working collaboratively, the eight students combined the four panels to create a cohesive artwork.

"We decided to focus on this theme to promote integration and harmony among our students with diverse backgrounds," said Kim Kang-min, an art class teacher at the school.

The school is also offering a homestay program to help international students experience Korean culture.

The students have designated periods for overnight stays outside the dorm. During these periods, they can have homestays at their Korean classmates' homes, gaining experience in Korean culture and family life.

"There are a lot of local students who want to be hosts of the program. This initiative is a great opportunity to foster cultural exchange and help foreign students understand Korean culture," Na said.

Nguyen, who partook in the homestay program recently, echoed the headmaster's view.

"I gained a deeper understanding of Korean culture, and my friend's family was incredibly welcoming, making it a comfortable environment to stay and learn about their culture," he said.

The school plans to admit a total of 16 students for the upcoming academic year from China, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Schools in other cities of North Gyeongsang Province, such as Pohang and Andong, are also showing interest in the program by visiting the school to learn how its system operates.

"We expect this system to spread nationwide, which can play a pivotal role in fostering exchanges between Korea and other countries," Na said.

In line with Gimcheon High School's initiative, the provincial government plans to introduce a policy aimed at granting a specialized visa. This visa would enable the parents of international students to work in Korea for a certain period of time, which also can be potentially beneficial for the revitalization of the regional economy.

This policy plan aims to help international students study in a more comfortable environment with their parents. It is also seen as a means to revitalize the region, particularly if parents choose to work in Korea while their children continue their education here.