{"id":6017,"date":"2026-06-17T08:18:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T23:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/?p=6017"},"modified":"2026-07-03T11:18:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:18:15","slug":"i-love-coming-here-because-i-want-to-learn-even-just-one-more-thing-park-dal-su-a-94-year-old-student-at-gyeongju-happiness-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/?p=6017","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI Love Coming Here Because I Want to Learn, Even Just One More Thing!\u201d: Park Dal-su, a 94-Year-Old Student at Gyeongju Happiness School"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background post-mainContainer nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:205px;--awb-padding-top-small:150px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1331.2px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column webzinCategory-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:60px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:15px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-center categoryColumn\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five mainCategory\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:5px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:0px;--awb-font-size:21px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:21;line-height:1.6;\">People of Gyeongju<\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-center categoryColumn\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five subCategory\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-font-size:17px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Noto Sans KR&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:300;margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:17;line-height:1.6;\"><\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:100%;max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#eaeaea;border-color:#eaeaea;border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column mainTitle-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:10px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two post-main-title\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;letter-spacing:-0.05em;--fontSize:54;line-height:1.35;\">\u201cI Love Coming Here Because I Want to Learn, Even Just One More Thing!\u201d: Park Dal-su, a 94-Year-Old Student at Gyeongju Happiness School<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column mainTitle-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:5px;--awb-padding-top-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:50px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:35px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Noto Sans KR&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>Since 1997, Gyeongju Happiness School has been off ering literacy education to seniors who never had the chance to learn and helping them discover a renewed sense of joy in life. Among its students is 94-year-old Park Dal-su, who has been continuing her academic journey even after completing the middle school curriculum this past February following 17 years of study.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Park Dal-su, 94-Year-Old Student at Gyeongju Happiness School<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 writer-text\"><p><strong>Written by<\/strong> Lim Sookyoung <strong>Photography by<\/strong> Choi Dayoung<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07.jpg\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[83c7f263c8a80cfe543]\" data-title=\"\uacbd\uc8fc\ud589\ubcf5\ud559\uad50 94\uc138 \ubc15\ub2ec\uc218 \uc5b4\ub974\uc2e0\" title=\"\uacbd\uc8fc\ud589\ubcf5\ud559\uad50 94\uc138 \ubc15\ub2ec\uc218 \uc5b4\ub974\uc2e0\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1315\" alt=\"\uacbd\uc8fc\ud589\ubcf5\ud559\uad50 94\uc138 \ubc15\ub2ec\uc218 \uc5b4\ub974\uc2e0\" src=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-5820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07-200x202.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07-400x405.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07-600x607.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07-800x809.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07-1200x1214.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-07.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><style>\n.titleH5 h5 {\n    font-size: 24px !important;\n    line-height: 1.4 !important;\n    margin: 6px 0 !important;\n}\n@media only screen and (max-width: 760px) {\n.titleH5 h5 {\n    font-size: 22px !important;\n}\n}\n<\/style><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:45px;width:100%;max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-dotted\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#d1d1d1;border-color:#d1d1d1;border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:35px;width:100%;max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-dotted\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#d1d1d1;border-color:#d1d1d1;border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:60px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:40px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five postTextBlock wordbreak titleH5\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;--fontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\">\u201cI Was Too Embarrassed to Tell Anyone I Was Going to School\u201d<\/h5><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 postTextBlock wordbreak\"><p>The classroom door opens quietly onto an advanced literacy class already in session. Elderly students sit side by side at small desks with their eyes fixed on the blackboard and their voices rising together in a soft, steady chorus as they read aloud. Their teacher, Kwon Hee-sook, arrives every morning at 8:50 a.m. to prepare for the day\u2019s lesson. Knowing that some students may forget details from time to time, she sends class reminders by text and patiently reviews each word and sentence. The students carefully search for familiar words, circle them, and copy them out by hand. \u201cI was too embarrassed to study at my age,\u201d Park says. When asked to show her notebook, she quickly closes it with a shy smile.<br \/>\n\u201cI\u2019m too embarrassed&#8230; I can\u2019t.\u201d But a glimpse inside reveals page after page of carefully written characters, each one reflecting years of dedication to learning.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:60px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:40px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five postTextBlock wordbreak titleH5\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;--fontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\">\u201cI Come to See My Teacher, and I Tell Her I Love Her Every Day\u201d<\/h5><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4 postTextBlock wordbreak\"><p>Park Dal-su\u2019s face is so radiant and full of life that it is hard to believe she is 94 years old. This past February, she completed the middle school curriculum after 17 years of study. She traveled from Seonggeon-dong to the school three times a week. When the weather was good, she walked slowly with the support of her mobility walker, and when the weather was poor, she relied on a taxi. While some graduates go on to enroll in the national distance-learning high school program, Ms. Park admits she couldn\u2019t quite find the courage for that next step. Yet, she simply couldn&#8217;t bear to leave the school behind. She loved the hours spent meeting people, learning new words, laughing, and sharing stories. When her teacher discovered what was weighing on her heart, she gently patted her on the back to reassure her: \u201cJust keep coming! What is there to worry about?\u201d As the class comes to an end, Ms. Park pulls her hands from beneath her scarf and makes a heart shape with her fingers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:60px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:40px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 underlineText postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-line-height:2.2;--awb-text-color:#aa7e2f;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>How old am I,<br \/>\na hundred-year-old student with three legs?<\/p>\n<p>Though my body feels a thousand pounds heavy,<br \/>\nCarrying my schoolbag and making my way<br \/>\nslowly to class,<\/p>\n<p>Studying at school is how I encounter the world,<br \/>\nThe happiest path of all.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 17px;\">&#8211; Poem \u201cA Hundred-Year-Old Student\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:36px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-dotted\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#aa7e2f;border-color:#aa7e2f;border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6 fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-text-no-margin underlineText postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-line-height:2.2;--awb-text-color:#aa7e2f;--awb-margin-bottom:30px;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>Park Dal-su, a stylish woman with a love for<br \/>\nhats, wears a warm smile shining through her<br \/>\ngentle wrinkles, instantly bringing to mind the<br \/>\nrainbow pink flower that symbolizes Gyeongju<br \/>\nHappiness School.<\/p>\n<p>After 17 years of faithfully walking through these<br \/>\nclassroom doors to complete her middle school<br \/>\nprogram, she says, \u201cI want to keep learning for as<br \/>\nlong as I can walk here on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Today, the century-old student continues her<br \/>\nstudies, her face completely lit with joy. Leaving<br \/>\nbehind the classroom where that smile lingers, we<br \/>\nslowly make our way to the sun-drenched paths<br \/>\nof the neighborhood marketplace.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7 fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility fusion-text-no-margin underlineText postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-line-height:2.2;--awb-text-color:#aa7e2f;--awb-margin-bottom:30px;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>Park Dal-su, a stylish lady with a love for hats, wears a warm smile shining through her fine wrinkles, instantly bringing to mind the Dianthus flower that symbolizes Gyeongju Happiness School.<\/p>\n<p>After 17 years of faithfully walking through these classroom doors to complete her middle school program, she says, \u201cI want to keep learning for as long as I can walk here on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Today, the century-old student continues her studies, her face completely lit with joy. Leaving behind the classroom where that smile lingers, we slowly make our way to the sun-drenched paths of the neighborhood marketplace.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8 postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-font-size:17px;--awb-line-height:1.4;--awb-text-color:#aa7e2f;\"><p>Academic Equivalency Program: Three classes per week<br \/>\nLiteracy Program: Two classes per week<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:60px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:40px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five postTextBlock wordbreak titleH5\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;--fontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\">\u201cMy Hands Shake, So I Can\u2019t Write Very Well Anymore. I Just Wait for the Days I Come Here.\u201d<\/h5><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9 postTextBlock wordbreak\"><p>Though reading and learning still bring her immense joy, she confesses that her hands now tremble, making it difficult to write. Whenever she needs to write, she clasps the pencil with both hands to keep it steady and carefully presses each letter onto the page. \u201cStill, I\u2019m happy whenever I come here.\u201d A radiant smile instantly lights up her face. Though Ms. Park wakes up repeatedly at night, she rises early every morning to exercise and prepare for the day ahead. She says she eagerly counts the days until she can return to Gyeongju Happiness School. Knowing how much Ms. Park loves to sing, her teacher, Kwon Hee-sook, always leaves her with a sweet little assignment before school breaks: \u201cMake sure you practice this song so you can sing it for me the next time we meet!\u201d Within the welcoming walls of Gyeongju Happiness School, the joy of learning, the pleasure of having something to look forward to accumulate, day by day.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"879\" title=\"gcm168-02-08\" src=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-08.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-5821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-08-200x220.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-08-400x440.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-08-600x659.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-08.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:80px;--awb-padding-right:80px;--awb-padding-bottom:80px;--awb-padding-left:80px;--awb-padding-top-small:15px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color3);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color3);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:4.8%;--awb-width-medium:40%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:4.8%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:4.8%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-five postTextBlock wordbreak titleH5\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;\"><h5 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;--fontSize:24;line-height:1.4;\">\u201cWe Want to Stand by Elderly Learners Who Missed Their Chance to Study\u201d<\/h5><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\" style=\"--awb-font-size:18px;--awb-letter-spacing:0em;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Noto Sans KR&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:500;\"><p>Kang Seok-geun, Principal of Gyeongju Happiness School<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_5 3_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:60%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.2%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.2%;--awb-width-medium:60%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.2%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.2%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1261\" height=\"551\" title=\"gcm168-02-09\" src=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09.jpg\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-5823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09-200x87.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09-400x175.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09-600x262.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09-800x350.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09-1200x524.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/gcm168-02-09.jpg 1261w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11 postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:30px;\"><p>Gyeongju Happiness School, which is approaching its milestone 30th anniversary next year, proudly holds the record in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province for producing the largest number of accredited elementary and middle school graduates, totaling 122 students. Here, seniors who spent much of their lives unable to read or write learn literacy skills, compose poetry, and earn diplomas. Many go on to distance learning high schools to continue their education.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen they finally step out from a world of quiet frustration and learn to read and write on their own, the very first thing that changes is the look on their faces,\u201d Principal Kang notes with a smile. \u201cThe greatest reward of this work is to see that profound transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12 postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-content-alignment:center;--awb-font-size:26px;--awb-line-height:1.55;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>\u201cAdult literacy schools can be found across the country,\u201d he continues. \u201cBut the reality is that many still face significant operational challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13 postTextBlock wordbreak\"><p>Gyeongju Happiness School, located in Seonggeon-dong, is a lifelong learning institution that operates accredited elementary and middle school education programs. Currently, 126 students study there under the guidance of nine teachers. The school is heavily dependent on donations and volunteer support to keep its doors open. The rent for some classrooms relies on government funding, which is limited. Principal Kang, who served as an advisory board member before taking the helm nearly a decade ago, says securing stable resources remains a constant concern. \u201cIt requires a minimum level of financial stability to provide teaching materials and maintain classes. More than anything, I hope literacy education can be firmly supported through national policy and legislation, so that it no longer rests on the dedication of individuals alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Learning continues even at an advanced age, but public support has not always kept pace. In literacy classrooms, teachers play an essential role, adapting materials to each learner\u2019s pace, repeating instructions as often as needed, and offering guidance that extends beyond academics into everyday life. In an era of increasing life expectancy, Gyeongju Happiness School remains a place where older adults can continue to learn.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14 fusion-text-no-margin postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-content-alignment:right;--awb-font-size:26px;--awb-line-height:1.55;--awb-margin-bottom:30px;--awb-text-font-family:&quot;Nanum Myeongjo&quot;;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;\"><p>For those who picked up a pencil again later in life, school is far more than a place to study. It is a place where they reconnect with the world.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15 fusion-text-no-margin postTextBlock wordbreak\" style=\"--awb-letter-spacing:0em;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;\"><p><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"> School Information: Tel. +82-54-773-3495 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:170px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-medium-visibility fusion-no-large-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[177,172],"tags":[17,15,16,13,14],"class_list":["post-6017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-of-gyeongju","category-vol-168-en","tag-17","tag-15","tag-16","tag-13","tag-14"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6017"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6017\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}