This spring, 24 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Claire Lilienthal Elementary School's Korean Immersion Program traveled to Seoul on an exchange trip sponsored by the SF–Seoul Sister City Committee. That is twice as many students as on our last trip two years ago.

The group left San Francisco on March 25, led by committee director Debbie Yi Madhok and joined by the school's principal and vice principals.

A welcome at Seoul City Hall

On March 30 the students visited Seoul City Hall, a fitting stop in the year San Francisco and Seoul celebrate 50 years as sister cities. City officials welcomed the group and shared the history of Seoul City Hall and the Cheonggyecheon stream.

Living and learning with Korean buddies

The heart of the trip was a visit to Guii Elementary School in Seoul, found through the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Guii welcomed our students with an opening ceremony, and each student was paired with a Korean "buddy" and stayed with a host family. For students who study Korean every day in San Francisco, it was a chance to use it with friends their own age. Korean television news even stopped by to interview the students.

The San Francisco Giants donated caps that the students gave to their host families as thank-you gifts.

Made possible by our community

The committee covers the full cost of the trip so that money is never a barrier for any family. That is possible thanks to everyone who supports our annual Chuseok Gala. Thank you.

Guii Elementary hopes to send its own students to San Francisco one day, and we hope to welcome them.

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