This past fall, representatives of West High traveled to Korea to immerse themselves in Korean culture. From visiting cultural sites to learning about the language and enjoying traditional food, the attending students shared an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime. In July 2024, West High’s Korean teacher, Mrs. Lee, was invited to the International Conference of Korean Educators Abroad. The Korean Ministry of Education recognized Mrs. Lee for her outstanding work teaching the Korean Language. She was one of six individuals awarded – and the only one from the United States. Mrs. Lee shared, “This special award . . . is a testament to the collective dedication of West High’s school community. I am profoundly grateful to our administrators, colleagues, and students, whose constant support and inspiration made this possible.” Later, in the fall of 2024, Mrs. Lee was granted the opportunity to take five students back to Korea for a week as part of a cultural exchange program. The activities ranged from exploring iconic Korean sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and wearing traditional Korean hanboks to dancing to Korean music and trying authentic food. Mrs. Lee was thrilled to bring her students to Korea and share her Korean heritage and cultural knowledge. “Watching my students perform a K-pop dance at the Cultural Exchange Program filled me with immense pride,” she remarked. For some of the attendees, it was their first time traveling to Korea, making the whole trip all the more surreal and meaningful. Fortunately, they were well received and were able to experience valuable moments with students from Australia and Uzbekistan. Lyrik Salausa (12) explained, “The warmth and kindness of the people I met made the experience even more special. They ensured I felt welcome and cared for the entire time.” Adxel Tapangan (12) similarly felt the welcoming vibes during the trip, sharing, “I’m so grateful to everyone who made it so enjoyable. I especially enjoyed meeting new people and creating special bonds over this short period.” Hopefully, in the future, more chances will come for students of West to participate in cultural exchange programs not limited to Korea but from around the world, as exploring different cultures only adds positivity to the community. Hannah Kang (12) worded it best for the group, “I deeply appreciated the effort that was given to share Korean culture with different countries. I’m so happy we got this opportunity to explore Korea for a week, and we all often find ourselves wishing we could go back.”