KOREAN NET

Starting on June 8, 2022, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Chief Baek Gyung-ran) initiated its isolation exemption plan, which is the final stage of the post-Omicron admission renovation according to the consistent decrease of COVID-19 patients and stabilization of overseas disease status. Those entering the country from overseas are to receive a total of two checkups, including a PCR or professional rapid antigen detection test before their entrance, and a PCR test within three days of their entrance. Such measures are the same as before, but other than that, many of the restrictions have been lifted. In particular, the mandatory isolation for foreign entrances has been lifted regardless of vaccination, as the headquarters followed the international trend of exempting the isolation of foreign entrances, such as in the case of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. Also, in consideration of the rising number of those entering Korea from overseas, the headquarters renovated the admission process by utilizing the prior quarantine information input system (Q-code) to shorten the standby time for admissions and implement efficient after-measure control. The announcement of such changes led to the increase of overseas Koreans visiting their homeland.

The Korean Ministry of Education decided that a foundation for a chance to participate in homeland school education was necessary for overseas Korean students who might make short-term visits to Korea using their school vacations, and implemented a homeland school experience program for overseas Korean students. The significance of this program is in aiding overseas Korean students in understanding their homeland, providing an opportunity for them to experience Korean culture, and enhancing their Korean language skills. Furthermore, for students in Korea, the program will be a great chance for them to experience the culture of other countries through overseas students of their age, providing educational experience to both overseas participants and Korean school students.

The application method and procedure of the homeland school experience program for overseas Koreans are as follows. After making an inquiry on the experience program to the student’s nearby school, the student’s application form, written oath, documents for school lessons, and meal costs should be submitted. After the school decides through an internal discussion that the student is eligible to participate in the program, the student may enter the experience program as an occasional student without the need for a separate school register. The regular courses of the school is free, but the costs required to participate in the program should primarily be borne by the student. As the accidents that may occur during the program are under the responsibility of the guardian, the school may demand the student’s relevant written oath and insurance document.

If an overseas Korean student from the United States visits Korea after completing the 2021-2022 school schedule to apply for the homeland school experience program, the student can participate in classes and make friends with Korean peers of the same age from the middle to end of July when Korean schools’ summer vacations start. However, this program is only a matter of encouragement from the Ministry of Education and the actual implementation is up to each school. Therefore, admission after a student’s application is not guaranteed.

If participation in the program is unavailable, students may find alternatives by asking the jurisdictional education support center to link them to a school around the student’s residence that is on board with the program.

If you are an overseas Korean visiting your homeland with a child of school age, the homeland school experience program will be an excellent opportunity for your child to establish an identity of being a Korean and enhance Korean language skills.