International Dignitaries Visit West40 to Exchange Learning and Stories

West40 recently welcomed international dignitaries President Jin Byonghwa and Supervisor Kim Hyungu of the Busan Metropolitan Institute for Gifted Education and Promotion for an exchange of learning and stories from our respective regions.

The delegation of educators from Busan, Korea were engaged in a week-long workshop at Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development. Jason Hiruo, Director of AESA Global Projects, coordinated President Jin’s visit to West40 so he could learn about aspects of the federal, state, and local education system in the United States.

Commonalities were found across our different education structures and cultures, most notably the belief in our respective missions to support educators and give students the best learning experiences and opportunities in life.

Our interpreter and photographer was a former student of President Jin's and is now studying at Northwestern University. President Jin expressed appreciation for his former student.

“He was my best student,” President Jin proudly shared several times.

The visit was conducted as part of West40's new Global Connections initiative and it was wonderful sharing our passion for education and we had an excellent time "shrinking the world."