The host family UHCL's Karen Carter and Husband Mike Jeffrey

Jang, Mi Jin and Kang, Hyun Mi Korean teachers contributed to UHCL-International Initiatives as part of a Texas International Education Consortium program.

Working with two mentor teachers from Brookside Intermediate, Clear Creek Independent School District they learned about U.S. education and contributed to our community

L-r, Dennis Spuck, Jang, Mi Jin, Lisa Waldrop, Beth Schroeder, Deanna Daws and Kang, Hyun Mi

Experience of Diversity

• Jang, Mi Jin (Mindy): "It was important to compare the two educational systems. I fund hope in the U.S. diversity, facilities, class size and electives. In Korea we have to pay for private tutoring, here it is free. Actually the Korean system follows that of the U.S. closely. I feel we should continue that yet keep our own identity because of the different envirnonment."
• I like to let my students in Korea know that there are many alternative and different lives existing in another world.
• The homeroom teacher system in Korea allows for a close student teacher relationship and I like that.

Awakenings

• Mindy: When I told my parents that I made it into the Texas Program, my father said he was very proud of me. My mom said she felt sorry because she couldn't do anything for me to go to study abroad when I was a unviersity student. As for my husband and my mother-in-law, I needed some time to take a break. When I told my husband that I wanted to apply for the Texas program, he just said to go for it. My mother-in-law said: "Don't you think you will miss your kids?" Upon completion of the Fulbright program I realized their love for me and that of my U.S. host family, the mentor, teachers and all involved in the program.

Departure