17/08/2026
🇰🇷 Chengelo School South Korea Trip 2026 🇰🇷
Our trip to South Korea has been an adventure from the very beginning, although not quite in the way we had planned!
We were due to leave Lusaka on Monday, but our flight was cancelled after several hours at the airport. Qatar Airways put us up in a hotel in Lusaka, where we were well looked after. Even getting lunch became an adventure, with a Yango delivery that still had not arrived three hours after we ordered it!
We returned to the airport on Tuesday evening and, despite a few last-minute arrivals, managed to get everyone checked in and onto the plane. There was a real sense of relief and excitement when we finally took off.
Our unexpected 20-hour layover in Doha turned into an opportunity rather than simply a delay. Qatar Airways again provided excellent accommodation, giving every student their own room. One of the highlights for many was walking into their rooms and seeing their own names displayed on the television!
We spent the day exploring Doha, visiting World Cup stadiums, the National Museum, a traditional bazaar and the beautiful Blue Mosque. With temperatures around 45°C, and the air conditioning on our bus eventually giving up, it was hard work, particularly after very little sleep. Nevertheless, the students were brilliant and embraced the experience.
We returned to the airport that evening, only to discover that one student had left her passport in the hotel. Thankfully, the hotel found it and couriered it directly to the airport. We eventually had everyone and all the passports together and boarded our overnight flight to Seoul.
On arrival at Incheon, we were met by representatives from the Zambian Embassy, including the Deputy Head of Mission and the First and Second Secretaries. They were fantastic in helping us through the airport and with our baggage. Getting 33 people and all their luggage onto one bus was another challenge, but somehow we managed it!
🌎 World Scholars 📖
The following days were dominated by the World Scholar's Cup at Korea University. Both our Junior and Senior Divisions had incredibly busy programmes of debates, collaborative writing, Scholars Challenge and Scholars Bowl, as well as opening and closing ceremonies.
The students performed exceptionally well. All 30 students qualified for the Global Round, with everyone receiving medals and many students receiving multiple gold and silver awards. One of our teams won all three of their debates, while Thokozile was selected for the Debate Showcase and received special recognition for her debating.
The Culture Fair was another highlight. Our students proudly represented Zambia, sharing baobab sweets, cassava and other foods, while giving away Zambian bracelets, keyrings and Chengelo merchandise. They also had the opportunity to experience cultures from around the world and make new friends.
The Scholars Balls gave both divisions an opportunity to dress up, celebrate their achievements and enjoy themselves with students from other countries.
🗺️ Experiencing Korea 🧭
Away from World Scholars, we have tried to make the most of experiencing Korean culture.
Food has been one of the biggest transformations. Some students were initially very cautious about unfamiliar dishes, but many have really embraced trying new things. The Juniors were particularly brilliant when they enjoyed a traditional Korean meal, trying foods they would never normally encounter at home.
We have eaten bibimbap, explored markets full of unfamiliar foods and seafood, enjoyed Korean ice creams and had an unforgettable Korean barbecue. At the barbecue, the students cooked their own pork, beef and ribs over hot coals in the middle of the table. The girls quickly took charge of the cooking while many of the boys were happy to watch! Everyone loved the experience.
The students have also become surprisingly skilled at using the Seoul Metro. On their first journey, many forgot to hold on when the train accelerated and ended up almost collapsing into one another, much to the amusement of the Korean passengers. They learnt very quickly!
Moving hotels on Friday meant taking the Metro with all 33 of us. After about an hour and a half of buying individual tickets, we finally made our way to Myeongdong and up Namsan Hill. Several students overcame their fear of heights on the cable car before we reached N Seoul Tower, where we enjoyed spectacular 360-degree views across Seoul.
Although, of course, the first thing some students did at the top was buy sweets rather than look at the view!
✨ The students
For me, the greatest success of the trip has been the students themselves.
They have had to deal with cancelled flights, delays, forgotten passports, jet lag, extreme heat, unfamiliar food and navigating a huge city. Through it all, they have generally been positive, polite and resilient.
In the evenings, we have also taken time to recognise students who have particularly demonstrated the values we want to see at Chengelo—those who have been exceptionally positive, helped others, represented Zambia well or simply shown kindness and maturity.
The small moments have often been the most memorable: seeing their names on the hotel televisions in Doha, laughing when they fell over on the Metro, discovering Korean ice cream, trading Zambian bracelets with students from other countries, and watching them overcome their hesitation and try unfamiliar food.
🙌 The trip by the numbers
The trip has certainly been about World Scholars and the remarkable academic achievements of our students, but it has become much more than that. It has been an opportunity for them to experience another culture, try new things, meet people from around the world and grow in confidence and independence.
Most importantly, they have represented Chengelo and Zambia on the world stage, and that is something we can all be very proud of.
(Written by Zak Verry)
