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Text Box:   Text Box: Week Of  February 5 http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/townsend

Text Box: 2120 N. Beverly Tucson, AZ 85712 Editor: Joyceline Miranda Layout: Jasmine McKinney 520-232-7900 Text Box: Going Global     

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Text Box: More on the Interview with the Korean and American Students: Article Written by Publications Advisor—Rebecca Warren The publications students had an opportunity to sit down to have an open and candid conversation with our visiting Korean students. Students were given guided questions to help facilitate the discussion. In between questions there was lots of chatter among students allowing them time to discuss between themselves before sharing answers. This was a fantastic opportunity to learn about many of the differences and similarities of being a teenager in different countries.  Being a teenager in each country does have many differences. While both cultures have gangs, or gangsters as the Korean students refer to them as, the gangs are different. In America gangs engage in dealing drugs, street violence, and protecting their territory. In Korea most gangsters rob people and businesses for money. Few Korean gangsters deal in drugs. When asked about homelessness we learned that there are differences. In America it seems that students feel that many people are homeless and it is more common than people think. Korea students told us that there was very little homelessness. In Korea often the homeless people are, “crazy.” In both countries there are people with disabilities; however, they are viewed and treated differently in each country. American students feel that people with disabilities are just another part of the school and that the kids with disabilities are treated fairly by others. Some American kids even indicated that they felt that kids with disabilities were treated preferentially. Students in Korea admittedly said that people with disabilities are treated a little bad in their country. There are gay people in both counties. In the United States students feel that gay people are fairly well accepted. Some students indicated that if people disapprove of gay people they usually keep their opinions to themselves, with some exceptions. In Korea gay people are considered “strange” and “most people try to avoid interactions if they disapprove.” Over all we mostly learn that though there are differences we are so much alike. Kids, in America as well in Korea, have many worries. Several students when asked what they worry about mentioned their families. An American student worries that her family will have money to buy the things they need. One Korean student said he worries about his father’s well being. Both groups of students are very concerned about doing well in school and being successful. When thinking about the future all students anticipate having difficulties getting jobs. Korean students are worried about having jobs available and American students worry about being prepared for careers. Students from both countries also fear being alone in the future. Students also have some of the same basic dreams. Kids in both countries love to listen to music, play video games and watch scary movies. When students were asked what they would do with $100, almost all students said they would go shopping. When they were asked what they would do with $1,000,000 one American girl said she would pay for her parent’s house and then save the rest for a house for herself. Not too surprising that a Korean boy said, with the biggest smile, he would buy himself a big house. Thank you to everyone who participated.