Headington Rye hosts students from Jeongeup South Korea

Headington Rye Oxford hosted 50 high school students and their teachers from Jeongeup for an immersive afternoon of cultural connection.

The visitors led a lively cultural exchange in the Hive exhibition space, introducing pupils of all year groups to traditional Korean games, some of which sparked plenty of laughter as students attempted the physical and cerebral challenges.

Dr Anne-Marie Stanton-Ife, first deputy head at Headington Rye Oxford, said: “It was a wonderful afternoon of shared learning, laughter, and genuine excitement as the 9,000km separating our two cities dissolved into sheer enjoyment of our respective cultures, traditions, music, and cinema.”

Students and staff also learned to write their names in Hangeul script and explored the history and etiquette of Hanbok dress.

The event offered hands-on activities such as making silk key rings, while also prompting friendly debate over snacks, with Headington Rye shortbread compared to Kancho Choco biscuits.

Headmistress Mrs Caroline Jordan opened the event with a welcome speech to guests, including representatives from the Jeonbuk State Office of Education, Korean Education Centre UK, the Korea Tourism Organization, Jeonju Television, and CoReza.

Dr Stanton-Ife said the day was a ‘significant milestone’ for the school’s Korean Language Club, a co-curricular programme supported by the Korean Education Centre UK since 2022.