The program commenced with a welcome ceremony at Sejong Geulbeot Middle School (Principal Cho Eun Gyeong - 조은경) on July 14th, attended by Sejong City Office of Education (세종특별자치시교육감) Choi Gyo-jin. The ceremony featured traditional performances from both countries and a joint K-Pop dance performance by Korean and Indonesian youths. Following the opening event, various activities, including traditional fan painting, creating Korean traditional tops (dakji), playing dakji, and a business agreement signing ceremony, marked the beginning of the exchange program in Korea.
The participants experienced diverse programs in the Daejeon-Sejong-Chungnam area, such as making traditional knot patterns on the Taegeukgi flag at the Sejong Traditional Culture Experience Center, engaging in scholarly activities at Gongju Hyanggyo Confucian School (공주향교) and Seonhwadang (선화당), learning traditional tea etiquette and tasting various Korean snacks, enjoying a Gayageum performance specially prepared for the visiting delegation, visiting the Grand National Records Center, and experiencing a traditional Hanok stay in Gongju Hanok Village.
In Seoul, they explored Korean history at the National Museum of Korea and visited the Hyundai Motor Studio, experienced wearing Hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, strolled along the Hallyu Star Street, and toured popular spots like Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Coex Mall, and Itaewon. Additionally, they visited the Indonesian Embassy to enhance their understanding of Korea and its relationship with Indonesia.
This Indonesian youth exchange program, planned and executed by Director Choi Young-jo, marked the fourth exchange with Bogor No. 1 Middle School since 2017. Each time, a unique program has been designed to allow participants to experience different aspects of Korea. Despite the monsoon season, the event received positive and active support from the Sejong City Office of Education, Sejong Geulbeot Middle School, Onnam, and other organizations, for which Director Choi expressed her gratitude.
Bogor No. 1 Middle School, established in 1956 as the first junior high school in Borobudur, actively participates in international exchanges. Since 2017, the school has promoted international exchange through Director Choi Young-jo, and this youth exchange involved four teachers, including Vice Principal Ipah Latipah, and 26 students.
Fajar Assidiqi, a teacher from Bogor No. 1 Middle School, expressed satisfaction with the various and meaningful activities offered, highlighting the high satisfaction of the students. He thanked Sejong International Exchange Center, Sejong Geulbeot Middle School, and Onnam for their assistance in preparing for the program without relying on travel agencies, ensuring a cost-effective and enjoyable visit to Korea. He also expressed a desire to invite Korean youths to Indonesia to introduce them to the country.
Sejong International Exchange Center, established in 2019, focuses on international exchanges, foreigner support, and internationalization of Korean culture in the Sejong, Daejeon, and Chungnam regions. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the center has actively engaged in various activities, such as hosting the Malaysia Youth Exchange Group's visit to Korea in late 2020, providing career counseling for foreign students, supporting overseas training for economic groups, and sponsoring the sports festival for the Vietnamese community in South Korea.
