The 32 students and three instructors from the Tongmyong University arrived here on June 24.
It was their first visit to Saipan where they performed community services as part of their school program, according to Sen Kim, international coordinator of Hotel Riviera Saipan which arranged the trip.
The students spent two days with the congregates at the Aging Center.
On Monday morning, they played bingo, ground golf and pool with the manamko’. They played softball and performed various entertainment numbers for the senior citizens the following day.
“It was an experience that the manamko’ enjoyed so much,” said Walter Manglona, the acting director of the Office on Aging.
Saipan Seniors Advisory Council president Teresita Sorroza said they appreciated the presentations of the Korean visitors.
“The congregates were very happy with the student’s visit,” she said, as she hoped to see more young visitors at the Aging Center.
Ryudong Woo, one of the students, said he enjoyed the “beautiful” scenery of Saipan.
“I enjoyed the game,” said Chung Sang Chun following the softball friendship game with the manamko’ at the Garapan Central Park.
Student leader Kyun Soo said they were also “very happy to help the community by doing a cleanup and interacting with the people.”
He said they felt close to the senior citizens.
The mayor’s office on Saipan coordinated the Korean students’ the cleanup at the Liberation Day activity center and beach.
Saipan mayor’s office executive secretary Vinycia Seman is hoping that the community services rendered by Korean students will encourage local students to also help maintain the cleanliness of their island.
Kim said the students also visited Northern Marianas College and conducted grounds maintenance there, including picking up trash, repainting and cleaning the NMC logo.
Hotel Riviera Saipan will continue to bring in Korean students who will also conduct community services here, Kim said.
