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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- A Kirksville Middle School social studies teacher took an exciting trip this summer.

Carolyn Chrisman was chosen to go on a teacher fellowship through a private organization called the Korea Society.

She had to submit an application, answer several essay style questions and provide recommendation letters from her Principal and Curriculum Director.  It is a very selective process and the Society wants to know if the teacher will take what they learn and teach it to their students. Chrisman was the only teacher from Missouri selected. It was a perfect fit in her social studies curriculum.

Thirty three other teachers from the United States spent seventeen days travelling and learning about South Korea. The Korea Society pays for international airfare, hotel expenses, sightseeing expenses and most meal costs.

She started her adventure in Seoul and travelled to the countryside in Daegu. She saw modern day Korea, Hyundai Industrial Complex, Buddhist temples, several palaces from dynasties and the Demilitarized Zone. She learned about ancient Korea, the history of their dynasty, the history of the Japanese occupation, religion and economics.

Chrisman taught in a foreign language high school to a classroom of thirty six students. She also attended lectures given by professors at Korea University.

Chrisman said, "Koreans have a unique language, very unique culture and they're unique people. It was a lot of fun getting to know them."

A written lesson plan was a requirement for this program. She will be presenting the information she learned in her classroom and also at the Missouri Middle School Association conference in September.

Last summer Chrisman spent five weeks in China through a similar program. She has plans on applying to another program for next summer that could take her to Japan, Germany or Turkey.