Eight students from Tahatai Coast School in Papamoa are preparing for an international trip to South Korea.

The school has joined in a sister school partnership with Supsok Elementary School in South Korea.

The year five and six students will travel to South Korea on November 12 and will be there for 10 days.

Each Tahatai student will be matched with a Korean student and stay with the student's family, attend school and experience Korean culture.

In return, they will host their Korean students in Papamoa and give them a true Kiwi experience.

International Student Manager Rowan Barton says that the school has been hosting international students for the past three and a half years.

'In that three and a half years, we have built close relationships with education agents working within Tauranga.”

'Mr Christian Ryu from Vision Consulting approached us about forming a sister school relationship with Supsok Elementary School in Seoul, South Korea. This developed into an exchange between students at the school.”

Tahatai Coast School Principal Matt Skilton says that the partnership is an exciting opportunity.

'This is such an exciting opportunity for Tahatai Coast School students as it see a merging of both South Korean and New Zealand cultures.”

'After hosting international student for the past three years, we are delighted to support our children to be able to experience first-hand learning and life in another country.”

Many of the students going to South Korea are looking forward to the new experience and making new friends.

'I'm looking forward to learning about their culture and the different things they do in Korea,” says student Annalise Burnette.

'I'm looking forward to making new friends, and speaking a new language. I think school will be way different there,” says student Niko Preston.

Once the South Korean students are in New Zealand the Tahatai students are looking forward to showing the Korean students how things are done here in NZ.

Bella Rowe is looking forward to sharing her kiwi lifestyle with her Korean student when they come to stay in Papamoa.

'I'm going to take them to have fish and chips on the beach. I'm pretty sure we won't do that in Korea.”

'I'm going to take my student to the speedway and to the beach,” says student Zach Davie.

'All of the parents involved wanted their children to understand the value of the opportunity they have been given, by working on several fundraising ventures such as car washes, a child-centred event at Slam Jump, a movie night and by selling re-usable bags,” says Rowan.

The Tahatai Coast School students are currently seeking sponsorship for their hoodies which they intend to wear during their fundraising efforts. If any business is interested in supporting these Tahatai students take part in the new sister school partnership, please get in touch with Tahatai Coast School.