Oasis Academy Mayfield has been delighted to welcome a group of students from the Joellanan-do province of South Korea for a three‑week cultural exchange, bringing international friendship, shared learning, and a celebration of cultural diversity to our school community.
During their visit, the twenty Korean students and their accompanying teachers took part in daily academy life - joining lessons across the curriculum, participating in extracurricular clubs, and learning more about British education and culture. They embraced every opportunity, from English and science to badminton, basketball, and spending time with their Oasis buddies.
The exchange has not only offered visiting students a memorable insight into life at Mayfield, but has also given our own students the chance to develop new friendships, practise language skills, and broaden their understanding of life beyond the UK.
One Oasis Academy Mayfield Year 11 student said:
“Having a Korean buddy for the past three weeks has been amazing. We’ve learned so much from each other – about school life, culture, and even a bit of language. It’s made my lessons more exciting, and I’ve really enjoyed showing them what life at Oasis Academy Mayfield is like.”
A Korean student reflected on their experience:
“Everyone at Oasis Academy Mayfield has been so kind and welcoming. Being in lessons with my buddy helped me feel confident and included. I’ve learned a lot about British school life, made new friends, and had experiences I will never forget.”
A key part of the exchange involved the visiting students staying with families from the Mayfield community. These host families generously opened their homes, giving students a warm and authentic introduction to British life and supporting them throughout their time in Southampton.
Neil Barrett, Assistant Principal at Oasis Academy Mayfield, said:
“We are incredibly proud of how our students have represented the academy. They have shown exceptional respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm throughout the visit. The exchange has created a vibrant atmosphere across the school, with both Oasis students and those from Joellanan-do province benefitting from the chance to share perspectives, practise language skills, and celebrate cultural diversity.”
The exchange has given our academy a powerful opportunity to live out our values of being kind, proud, and determined - values that have helped both our students and their Korean peers to grow, flourish, and learn from one another.
