CLB-4 volunteers at Ocheon High School in South Korea

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | POHANG, GYEONG SANG, South Korea — Marines with Combat Logistics detachment 333, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a photo with students from Ocheon high school May 30 in Pohang, South Korea. During the visit, Marines and sailors led classes on American culture and worked with students to improve their English skills. The service members spent a week at the school to ensure all the students had an opportunity to talk with them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins)  

POHANG, SOUTH KOREA

03.30.2017

Story by Cpl. Jessica Collins 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

POHANG, GYEONG SANG, South Korea — Marines and sailors visited Ocheon high school March 30 in Pohang, South Korea.
During the visit, service members with Combat Logistics detachment 333, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, led classes on American culture and worked with students to improve their English skills.
“This was an opportunity to bridge the gap with the Korean culture and maybe clear up any myths they have about American culture and military,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Nicolaysen, the detachment commander. “These kids grow up next to Camp Mujuk and Republic of Korea bases and they see military personnel on an almost daily basis. We want them to know where we’re from, why we’re here and what we’re about.”
The classes covered things like popular music, food and other cultural highlights.
“We got to talk about stuff we do in America,” said Cpl. Jarred Sagadraca, one of the volunteers. “My topic was American hobbies and we talked about what we liked to do growing up. It was cool because we got a look into each other’s culture.”
The service members held classes all week to ensure the students had an opportunity to talk with them.
“I think it went great,” said Nicolaysen. “I had a great time, the Marines had a great time, I think the students had an even better time. I think we were able to understand and accept each other. I hope that if they see us or other Marines out in town they would have no problem coming up to us and having a conversation.
CLB-4 jumped at the chance to help the community and immerse themselves in the culture while staying at Camp Mujuk.
“I’m just really happy that while we were here in Korea we had this opportunity,” said Nicolaysen. “Our regiment is really big on bridging cultures and helping out the local community wherever we go and I think we did just that.”

• Date Taken: 03.30.2017
• Date Posted: 04.03.2017 23:23
• Story ID: 229054
• Location: POHANG, KR