We believe that students need to encounter opportunities to apply concepts taught in class to real-life situations in order to maximize learning. We also believe that it is important to have meaningful relationships with those they are connected with during the learning process. Therefore, we seek to provide an experience for the students that:

• promotes positive relationships, trust, and cooperation with peers and teachers
• provides opportunities for spiritual, character, and leadership development
• offers them experiences to learn more about our Korean host culture
• connects the middle school curriculum to real-life applications
• addresses many of the Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR’s) regarding truth, excellence and diversity

Although Korea has a small land mass, it offers some diverse landscapes that provide an array of learning opportunities. By staying within Korea for WWW, we are able to minimize travel time while we maximize the amount of time for learning and acquire a deeper understanding and appreciation for our host country.

Grade 6: Stewardship

Itinerary

• 3 Days/2 Nights @ Daecheon Beach

Objectives

• Understand their role in the conservation of resources
• Develop leadership and interpersonal skills through team building activities
• Serve one another throughout the week, especially during mealtimes

Grade 7: Adventure

Itinerary

• 3 days/2 nights in Yangpyeong

Objectives

• Actively engage in a service learning opportunity
• Develop meaningful relationships through various social activities, including drama night around the campfire
• Participate in challenge courses, ropes courses, boating, biking, and hiking
• Appreciate and learn about Korean culture

Grade 8: Journey

Itinerary

• 5 Days/4 Nights on Jeju Island

Objectives

• Actively engage in one of the service learning opportunities
• Deepen curricular learning through experiencing deep sea fishing, a sunrise at Seongsan, aquarium and lava tube exploration, and learning about Jeju women divers
• Develop perseverance through a half-day hike and navigating through a maze
• Learn to appreciate the Korean culture by visiting a temple and picking tangerines

Students in 7th and 8th grade in both the NICS and Oasis programs are eligible to apply for Immersion and travel with a group of faculty chaperones.

The Immersion trip takes place over YISS’ Spring Break. Activities are not limited to, but include the following:

• Morning devotional time
• Group activities and games
• Local community feedings
• Orphanage assistance
• Physical labor (mixing cement, shoveling, digging, sweeping, painting, building, etc.)
• Evening debrief/worship sessions
• Small group breakout times
• Team building exercises
• Swimming
• Cultural immersion

Beginning each November, the Immersion Team has mandatory meetings Monday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meetings are spent in a variety of ways but generally include a devotional, language and cultural studies, various team bonding activities, service preparations, etc. The meetings provide opportunities for students and faculty chaperones to connect and develop healthy relationships with their teammates and God.

Depending on the year, MS Immersion travels to the following places:

• Cainta, Philippines in partnership with Kids International Ministries
• Telunas Beach Resort in the Riau Islands, Indonesia