To continuously strengthen international collaborations with Asian Higher Education Institutions and promote Edu-Tourism in the Philippines, Mabalacat City College welcomed more than 40 Korean students and representatives from Red Cross Korea for a Philippine Study Tour last 7 February 2023.
The Korean Students were warmly welcomed and guided by MCC Student Council, Crimson Honors, and Student Ambassadors who also served as their buddies throughout the program. They learned the Kulitan, a Kapampangan indigenous writing system, as part of the Philippine Study Tour. In exchange, they prepared activities for MCC students such as face painting, making jang myeongru, yutnori (traditional board game in Korea), balloon art, spinning top, and tuho (pitch-pot) and jegichagi (Korean traditional outdoor game).
MCC students had the opportunity to interact with the Korean students. According to Carl Joseph Monis, MCC student ambassador, the Philippine Study Tour of the Koreans was an opportunity to win friends and deeply understand other cultures. MCC President Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong expressed her gratitude to all the Korean Red Cross staff and Students who visited the College. She encouraged them to explore more of the Mabalacat City and Clark. She also hoped that the students would discover more about MCC and its dynamic offices, innovative facilities, and progressive educational opportunities for all students, including international students.
Before the program ended, the Korean Students performed two dance numbers showcasing Korean Pop Culture that captivated MCC students. The program was concluded with the students exchanging tokens with each other.
The Edu-Tourism program is one of the priorities of Mayor Crisostomo Garbo for the City of Mabalacat. He strongly believes that with Mabalacat City College at the forefront, the city can indeed be a destination for education tourism. Students and learners from other countries can now consider Mabalacat City to learn: different academic programs, Philippine History, Culture, and Arts, and other training.
