In a remarkable exchange of knowledge and ideas, students from Costa Rica and South Korea recently engaged in a series of Live Classes facilitated by IVECA. Costa Rica students, who joined IVECA for the first time, had exceptional cross-cultural learning experiences throughout the semester. They appreciated the opportunity to expand their perspectives through lively discussions with their counterparts in Korea.
The Live Classes revolved around the theme of water, shedding light on the challenges and disparities regarding access to clean water and usage in their respective countries. In Korea, groups emphasized the extensive usage of water across various sectors, such as the agricultural and industrial segments. Yet, they expressed concerns about water pollution, particularly the impact of plastic waste, which seriously threatens water quality. Similarly, Costa Rican students highlighted the multifaceted nature of water usage in their country, while noting the challenges posed by the pollution of the Tarcoles River, the most polluted river in Central America, caused by untreated wastewater and trash from urban areas and factories.
Through these interactions, students actively participated in comparative learning, exchanging insights and observations on people’s actions and utilization of water sources. Korean students voiced admiration for Costa Rica's commitment to clean energy, and they were inspired by Costa Rica’s voluntary neighbor associations working to provide water in rural areas, as opposed to the government-led system in their country. Costa Rican students were fascinated by Daecheong Dam’s beautiful night view attracting tourists and were surprised at the affordability of water in Korea.
As these sessions came to a close, students shared gratitude for learning about each other's cultures and their water-related challenges. “This has truly been an enriching experience,” said a Costa Rican student. They also underscored the importance of international exchange in broadening their horizons and developing their qualifications as global citizens, with one Korean student noting, “as the world is getting globalized and internationally connected, the value of international exchange we have would get more and more important. Through dealing with global problems by communicating with other countries, we can expect a better solution for current problems and expand our horizons in the process.”
#IVECA #VirtualExchange #GlobalCitizenship #InterculturalCompetence #CostaRica #Korea #WaterIssues #SDGs #LiveClass