By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—At least 20 Filipino teachers representing eight regions in the country are currently making waves in Korea to teach young Koreans about the Philippines rich history and culture.
For a 39-year-old public school teacher Chandler Ibabao from a remote village in Pudtol, Apayao, visiting Korea to participate in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) Teacher Exchange Program is far from her wildest imagination.
Under the program, some selected teachers from the Philippines will teach their major subjects, along with Philippine history and culture, to elementary and middle school students in various regions of South Korea.
Similarly, Korean teachers will also be in the Philippines next month to teach Filipino kids.
Elated of her three-month long teaching experience at the Daejeon Jeonmin Elementary School in South Korea, Ms. Ibabao said she is eager to go back to the Philippines and share what she learned to fellow educators and students.
In her farewell speech to her host school, which she posted on Facebook, Ms. Ibabao said, “I will be forever grateful and indebted for making me feel at home away from home. Thank you for giving me multiple opportunities as to work, travel and cultural exposure which made me a better individual.”
She added her remarkable learning experience with the Korean school makes her more inspired to teach young minds.
The Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Program was launched in 2012 which aims to promote international understanding and peace through education with the support of the Department of Education (DepEd).