Shining Together Across Borders: Colombian and Korean Students Reflect on Positivity and Perseverance
- IVECA Center
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
What does it mean to “think positive” in a world full of challenges? And how can young people from opposite sides of the globe shine together, learning from each other’s experiences? These quiet yet powerful questions were behind three moving Live Classes held on June 4 and 12, where 7th-grade students from Segyero Global Middle and High School in South Korea and Cosmo Schools Cristo Rey, Centro, and Rionegro in Colombia came together under the theme “Think Positive, Shine Bright.” By sharing stories of failure and resilience, students demonstrated that emotional honesty can be a powerful bridge across cultures.
Throughout the sessions, students spoke openly about difficult moments they had faced. However, each story was not about the hardship itself, but about what came next: the decision to keep going, to ask for help, or to try again. These honest reflections showed the impact of thinking positively as an active mindset that fosters growth and persistence.
Students shared heartfelt accounts of moments that challenged them personally. A Korean student spoke about the disappointment of studying hard for a math test but receiving a lower score than expected, reflecting that “one test doesn't define you, failure is part of the growth process.” Another student described the embarrassment of forgetting her moves during a traditional Korean dance performance but found comfort in her classmates’ encouragement: “Even if we don't do well, support from others keeps us going, and we can try again next time.”
From Colombia, one student recounted how difficult it was to move to a new city, but explained, “I decided to forget the past and start from zero. It helped a lot, and now I feel comfortable in this city—it is amazing!” Another group reflected on the sadness of losing a beloved pet and how they coped together: “We learned that it's normal to feel bad and alone, but we don't have to feel depressed about it. It's better to think they are in a better place.” The Live Class offered a unique space for students to explore these cultural nuances and inner experiences together, discovering that while their contexts may differ, the feelings are often similar.
This exchange created a sense of trust and unity, laying the foundation for the second part of the Live Class: cultural performances. As students had already opened their hearts, the songs and dances that followed were not just displays of tradition—they were shared expressions of joy. Colombian students sang traditional songs full of rhythm and pride. Their Korean peers followed with a gentle folk melody and a lively K-pop dance that filled the virtual room with laughter and smiles.
As the sessions came to a close, it became clear that the real impact went beyond just telling stories. Through honest reflections and lively cultural exchanges, students discovered common ground in their challenges, strengths, and hopes. “Your projects showed that even though we live in different cities and countries, we all care about the same things, our planet, our future, and each other,” Segyero’s vice principal reminded students. Echoing that sentiment, the principal from Cosmo Schools thanked the participants for sharing their curiosity and openness, “a sense of wonder and the intellectual joy of discovering other cultures.” She also highlighted, “To connect with the world today is to connect with life itself.”
The experience left a quiet but lasting impression: that even across continents, openness and understanding can create meaningful spaces where positivity, empathy, and connection quietly, but powerfully, shine through.
