Students James and Lucy recently visited China as part of a national student diplomatic experience in conjunction with Hebei Provincial Association for UNESCO. The students, along with their teacher Jack Johnson, were welcomed into six schools in two cities: Qinhuangdao and Tangshan.
James and Lucy, both in Year 12 at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, were part of a larger diplomatic group from seven schools in the UK taking part in an experience designed to forge friendships with Chinese students of similar ages.
They experienced a broad range of cultural activities, including, traditional Chinese music, martial arts, calligraphy, crafts, dance, sports, shadow theatre, and performances of Peking Opera. They toured around Beijing, where they visited the historic Birds’ Nest Olympic Stadium, the Yonghegong Lama Temple, the Temple of Heaven, and dined on Peking roast duck.
James said, “It was a brilliant experience full of interesting culture and amazing people. It impacted me by changing my views on how the west portrays China. It was amazing.”
The students took every opportunity to experience the culture and history of China. They were full of questions and threw themselves in to every experience possible. Jack said, “I am so proud of both Lucy and James, their applications for the opportunity were very strong and their interviews were outstanding. This was a fantastic experience that benefits their education through offering firsthand insight into a culture very different to our own. As a school we are keen to offer such opportunities to our students throughout their time at St Joseph’s.”
Lucy said, “Meeting the students and seeing what their school life is like was an enriching experience. I especially enjoyed going for tea with the families as it let us learn more about their life and culture and gave us the opportunity to try new foods.”
As well as visiting schools, the group were fortunate enough to visit some little seen sites in both cities, attending the Great Wall Museum outside of Qinhuangdao – the city where the Great wall of China starts, and the bullet train factory in Tangshan. They were tutored in traditional printing styles by a leading artist in China, using bricks from the great wall itself.
James and Lucy thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be assisting in the process of choosing the next cohort of St. Joseph’s students to make lifelong memories overseas.
For more information about St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy visit www.stjosephs.uk.net
For more information about Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, visit www.bccet.org.uk
ENDS
Photo captions: A visit to one of the primary schools where the students performed a traditional dragon dance with drumming.
The students and teachers meet with Chinese dignitaries that were responsible for making the experience go ahead.
Jack Johnson, with students James and Lucy
Press release issued by enquiries@bccet.org.uk on behalf of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.