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Kaohsiung Korean International School has been in operation for fifty-one years. It is an indispensible pillar for the local Korean community and offers excellent education for Korean children that reside in Kaohsiung. Although the campus is not very big, it is nicely designed and well kept. The school's principal is Kim Jin Sub, and currently there are twenty students enrolled in the regular afternoon program which offers classes for students ranging from first to sixth grade.
In the morning, the students attend regular classes at regular Taiwanese elementary schools and study alongside Taiwanese classmates. Then from 1:00 to 5:30 pm they go over to the Korean school where they continue their classes in Korean. They also learn about their traditional Korean culture and heritage.
The Korean school also offers classes on Saturdays, granting students who are unable to attend during the week, an opportunity to learn Korean. The regular afternoon program includes courses in Korean language, cultural education and samul nori (Korean music played on a set of four percussion instruments). They also teach the students about Korean festivals such as "Kimchee Day", when children learn how to make the Korea's national food. The curriculum was carefully designed to provide a practical and fun education.
Principal Kim began working at the Korean school four months ago and was very excited about moving Kaohsiung. He believes it is very important for children to maintain a good understanding of their native culture. He encourages students to come and see him in his office at anytime. Although he hasn't been in Kaohsiung for very long, he likes Kaohsiung's mild autumn and winter. He feels the people are very welcoming and friendly. He enjoys a good quality of life in Kaohsiung, with its many parks and green areas. He feels the cost of living is reasonable. He particularly loves mangos and enjoys Taiwan's wide variety and quality fruits.
Although studying two languages and cultures is a tall challenge, Mr. Kim has never heard any children complain. He admits, it is usually the parents that have concerns about the children's heavy workload. However, Principal Kim believes the most important things to remember when working in a cross-cultural environment, is maintaining a positive attitude, keeping an open mind and accepting the local culture's unique characteristics. He also believes language is the key to connecting cultures. Language is useful for blending in with other cultures, so he plans to continue studying Mandarin and enjoying a great in-depth experience in the local culture.
高雄韓國國際學校 文化紮根
【文．攝影／侯雅婷】
成立51年的高雄韓國國際學校，提供在高雄的韓籍國小學童接受韓國母語的教育機會。全校一至六年級20 位小朋友，上午同一般的台灣國小學生接受九年義務教育後，下午1點半到5點半，進到韓國學校，繼續學習韓文，連結韓國文化。
高雄韓國學校星期六設有週末學校，提供平日無法參加下午班的國小學生學習韓語的機會。一般生課程除了韓語教授，透過四物遊戲(韓國傳統敲擊樂器) 的學習、遠足以及文化體驗日等活動，比如：冬季泡菜製作，課程精彩豐富。校園小而美，設置有規劃縝密的三線跑道迷你操場，每當下課時間或放學後，總可見到小朋友在操場上盡情奔跑。在這裏，人與人的互動更加緊密，校長金鎮燮告訴小朋友們，隨時歡迎小朋友們進來找他。
金鎮燮校長到校服務4個月，儘管還沒有太多時間認識高雄，但他很喜歡高雄秋、冬兩季舒適宜人的天氣和友善、親切的市民，他稱讚高雄是非常適合生活的城市，市區隨處可見公園等綠色休憩空間和平實的物價，他特別喜歡種類眾多的水果，大讚芒果好吃。
學習的路也許漫長，金校長側著頭想一想，說道，沒聽過小朋友抱怨太累，倒是學生家長很心疼孩子們太辛苦了。金校長提醒，面對跨文化的工作環境，包容心是最重要的，要衷心接納對方文化特色及優點，此外，金校長認為，學習當地的語言有助於融入當地的生活，因此，金校長也持續學習中文，體驗高雄更動人的風土人情。
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