By Lily Childs, Upper School Mandarin Teacher
Last week, our Middle and Upper School Mandarin students embarked on an enriching field trip celebrating cultural exchange and community partnership. The students were accompanied by six dedicated chaperones: Middle and Upper School Mandarin Teachers Zuowei Chang and Lily Childs, Upper School Learning Specialist Sam Cummins, Upper School Counselor David Hotaling, College Counselor Abby Klinckhardt, and Dean of Faculty Grace Lee. All had a cultural immersion trip filled with learning and exploration.
The trip began at the St. Louis Language Immersion School (SLLIS), where MICDS students had the opportunity to engage with their peers in a vibrant learning environment. They visited various classrooms, including kindergarten, second, fourth, and fifth grade classes, and one middle school class. This interaction fostered an appreciation for bilingualism and cultural diversity. After a quick self-introduction, our students took the lead and introduced the flashcard games they had prepared in advance. Other students played popular bingo games and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza with the Chinese twelve zodiac animals theme.
A quick stop at the Asian Market provided students with a unique opportunity to explore a variety of Asian foods and products, deepening their understanding of cultural nuances and culinary traditions. The excitement was palpable as students discovered new snacks and ingredients, further enhancing their connection to their heritage.
The day culminated with a delightful family-style lunch at Cate Zone in Chesterfield. Here, students enjoyed a delicious meal that showcased authentic Asian cuisine, encouraging conversation and camaraderie among classmates. The shared dining experience not only satisfied appetites but also reinforced the importance of community and togetherness.
In their post-trip feedback, Upper School students expressed a range of impactful takeaways, from the accessibility of Chinese language learning to the richness of its cultural traditions:
- “This field trip contributed to my understanding of Chinese culture and traditions because it shows how anyone can learn Chinese, no matter how young they are, and it shows how innovative the language is and how it has grown to reach younger students.”
- “It showed how the language is growing at a very rapid pace and reaching many different types of people.”
- “I learned that Chinese culture is much more than just the language, but also stories and traditions.”
- “The most memorable part for me was being able to go to the immersion school and fully immerse myself into Chinese learning and culture. The kids were only in fourth grade, and were able to speak full sentences in Chinese. The kids showed us their dances, and they sang along to them, which was amazing to see. Not only were they talented in dancing and the words, but they had so much fun performing. The children loved learning Chinese and about the culture, and I loved learning it myself.”
- “It showed me how Chinese culture can even be taught at a young age to kids of any ethnicity and how enjoyable it is to immerse oneself in the culture. It is a difficult yet fantastic culture to learn about. Plus, the food is amazing.”
Similarly, Middle School students shared their unique perspectives on the field trip, with “the food” being a key highlight:
- “Olive Supermarket and Cate Zone were my favorites, even without buying anything!”
- “I would like to go on this field trip again because interacting with the kids at the international school was fun, and it gave us a reason to get closer as a class.”
- “Interacting with the kids and doing work with them was fun and it taught me a lot about other people who take Mandarin in the city.”
The field trip was more than just a day out; it was a celebration of culture and a testament to our partnership with local educational institutions. By visiting SLLIS, our students gained insights into the importance of language immersion and cultural exchange, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage.
As we reflect on this wonderful experience, we extend our gratitude to our school for the field trip opportunity, the chaperones for their guidance and support, and to the staff at SLLIS for welcoming us into their school community. This trip has strengthened our students’ connection to their culture and the local community, while providing them with lasting memories.