Twenty-seven high school students from Seongdong Gu, South Korea visited the Booth Western Art Museum and Tellus Museum Tuesday as part of a three-week camp titled The Experience America Camp 2011, operated by Chattahoochee Technical College and the Marietta City School System.

Rebecca Long, public relations specialist for CTC, explained that during the camp students experience life in the United States by visiting sites rich in culture. Students also take part in English language classes to improve their reading, writing and speaking skills.

This is the second year for the college to participate in the camp.

"We see this as an opportunity to continue building relationships between our students and students within the global community in the area of education," said Betty Ann Cook, CTC associate provost for international affairs. "As a part of this program they will be participating in an intensive English program and activities to learn more about the culture of the United States while getting to know students from CTC and Marietta High School."

Long explained that the students, who are 15 and 16 years old, are spending the first two weeks in a hotel and the last week with a family of an MHS student.

She said CTC President Sanford Chandler has been to Seongdong Gu as part of the program and that the college recently hosted a group from the province, including the mayor and other economic development and education officials.

"Partnerships such as this help to build the college's reputation as an international college of distinction," Long said.

She added students have been communicating with their families via text message to give a glimpse into their discoveries in the U.S.

"This will offer the visiting students a well-rounded learning and cultural experience while visiting in the U.S.," Cook said. "And with the collaboration with Marietta High School, the students will also be developing lifelong friendships with students from across the globe."