Intercultural Exchange in Tainan: Bridges Between Two Countries, Bonds for Life.

From February 21 to 28, 2024, 18 students from 9th and 10th grades flew to Taiwan to discover its treasures and traditions. What riches accompanied them on this journey…

A group of 18 students from Jincheng Junior High School in Tainan, Taiwan recently visited IFS to take part in a series of activities that aimed at promoting French culture and values. As a follow-up, our students also went on a school trip to Taiwan and had the opportunity to meet with these students.

A New Way of Learning

Warmly welcomed by Taiwanese families, our students benefited from a new approach to learning Chinese through five days of immersion in their daily lives and traditions. Living with these local families, they had the opportunity to participate in school and cultural activities, such as cooking or traditional dance classes, which allowed them to better understand the local educational system and appreciate the vast richness of Taiwanese culture.

A Well-Organised Schedule

The programme for this stay included:

– Visits to iconic places such as Anping Old Fort, Chihkan Tower, and the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum,
– Educational courses on Taiwanese culture with the 32 students,
– Participation in local activities such as cooking and music,
– Transmission of values, culture, and vision.

Together, the students shared precious moments and engaged in various activities, blending two different perceptions of their environment.

This trip was a true intercampus exchange, transporting the students to the discovery of a new culture. This school trip opened up perspectives and allowed IFS students to overcome any prejudices they may have had.

Intercultural exchanges between schools worldwide offer far more than just travel experiences. They present unique opportunities for fostering open-mindedness, learning, and establishing enduring relationships among young people from diverse backgrounds. These enriching encounters transcend the confines of classrooms, providing invaluable life lessons.

Participating in intercultural exchanges provides numerous benefits:

1. They facilitate the development of language skills through immersion in the host country’s language.
2. They encourage the exploration of new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles, broadening the perspectives of young individuals.
3. These exchanges cultivate empathy, tolerance, and respect for cultural differences, promoting open-mindedness and adaptability to new environments.
4. They forge lasting connections among participants, forming friendships that transcend borders and often last a lifetime. Thus, they create an international network of friends and contacts.

Intercultural exchanges in education are profoundly significant.
They complement academic learning by providing hands-on lessons in cultural diversity, fostering intellectual curiosity. They also raise young people’s awareness of global issues and cultivate a sense of responsibility towards the global community.

In conclusion, intercultural exchanges between schools are invaluable experiences that enrich young people’s lives and contribute to creating a more open, tolerant, and understanding world.