By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Students in a fourth grade class at Bogwang Elementary School in Itaewon, central Seoul, have perhaps made an unlikely choice for their class vice-head _ a Turkish girl, Sehra Zunbul.
The 10-year-old girl's appearance is different from that of her classmates, but to them, she is just a smart friend of the same age.
She came from Istanbul to Korea in 1997 with her family following her father, Faruk Zunbul, 45, who is an Islamic missionary, according to the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times.
She attended preschools with Korean children, learning the Korean language and culture. Ten years later she is good at not only the language but also most of her school subjects, and has a good relationship with her Korean friends.
``I distribute star-shaped stickers to students who are active in lessons and behave themselves; sometimes up to three stickers a day. Zunbul receives three every day,'' said Choi Jeong-hee, the teacher in charge of her class, adding Zunbul has good scores at exams.
Kang Min-jeong, leader of the class, said Zunbul is very understanding and helps other classmates.
Zunbul is a ``cultural missionary'' to Korean friends, helping them learn about other cultures. The classmates have a bulletin board displayed at the back of the classroom with photos and writings introducing Zunbul's homeland Turkey. Traditional Turkish bread that she brings as lunch is also popular among the students.