15 slots for educational trip to Korea still open

All 15 slots for an educational trip to Korea remain unfilled at this time despite invitations sent out by the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

Every year, Mayor Juan B. Tudela travel to Korea with 15 local students as part of strengthening cultural and educational ties between the two countries.

However, this year—the fifth time the trip is being done—may never be the same as previous years.

“Up to know we’re still searching for local students to go next month. Since we sent the invitations to all public high schools and the Mount Carmel School in early March, no one has come in yet and applied for the trip,” Tudela told Saipan Tribune.

A local student needs to apply to the mayor’s office and pay some $300 as a requirement to join the trip.

The trip is slated for May 11 to 16 and participants are scheduled to visit some Korean schools, business sites, and factories that will help local students better understand the Koreans’ way of life.

In the last five years, over a hundred local students have already participated in the educational trip to Korea, Tudela said.

The experiences provided to all first-time travelers to Korea are worthwhile, according to the mayor.

Still hopeful on the positive response of school principals, Tudela said he may search for participants from local families in the community.

“I may go to families in the community and ask for their children’s participation…if nobody from the schools comes forward and apply,” he said.

Saipan Tribune learned that last year, 15 students joined the mayor on his Korean trip, which was slated during summer.

Tudela believes that besides the bad state of economy on island, the “untimely” schedule of the trip was also a factor.

“Maybe the reason behind [the lack of applicants] is that schools will be closed soon next month…and students have to make up for their classes and projects. Since this is a weeklong trip, students are worried about their grades,” the mayor said, adding that his office is looking for participants who can maintain their academic records despite the weeklong absence.

The deadline to apply for the trip is on the first week of May.

Meantime, Tudela is set to go on a trip to Japan on May 8-9 to grace the Seisa High School presentation where he was chosen as one of the guest speakers.

Both trips are sponsored by the mayor’s office.