On September 30th, 24 teachers and students from Shandong Experimental High School (SEHS) went to Canada for a seven-day “DREAM CANADA Study Tour.” Cui Lejun, director of the Political and Education Department, led them on this International Exchange Journey.

On the morning of October 1, teachers and students visited the Confucius Institute in Edmonton. Dean Li Wei warmly welcomed everyone and introduced the development process and main activities of the Confucius Institute in detail. Through his introduction, the students understood the effect of Confucius Institute on the spread of Chinese culture in the world. After that, students from our school exchanged ideas with Canadian students on several research topics, such as “Inheritance and Development of Chinese Language and Culture,” “Inheritance and Development of Folk Culture” and “East of the Mountain” Natural Resources Conservation. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Alberta Parliament Building and the TELUS World Science Museum. During the visit, everyone enjoyed learning astronomy and gained a novel experience.

On October 2nd, the delegation went to Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton. In the school's golden multi-purpose hall, Principal Rick Paulitsch delivered a warm speech and expressed his full support for the exchanges between the two universities and his enthusiasm for future development. At the same time, it also began a rare two-day life for the exchange students to study with Canadian students. During these two days, each exchange student went into the Canadian high school classrooms, followed his or her partner to complete a one-day course at the school, and experienced the local Canadian educational model and innovative teaching style. "What we have learned is not only knowledge, but also a culture." said students who experienced different educational values excitedly. Through these two days, students have formed close friendship with their partners. The reluctant farewell remained in everyone’s heart.

On the afternoon of October 4th, the teachers and students came to the University of Alberta, one of the five most outstanding universities known for their scientific research in Canada. The admission officer in charge of Chinese students introduced the majors and enrollment elaborately, and made an in-depth analysis on the “easy to matriculate, hard to graduate” characteristic of the university. The admission officer answered a series of questions raised by the students, encouraging them to study hard and accept challenges bravely.

In the following days, teachers and students visited The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Holland, Canada, appreciated the scenic north Saskatchewan river and the Idu Island National Park, paid a visit to the Alberta museum of art, and toured in Edmonton.

The seven-day study tour was short but fruitful. Unique natural resource, culture, and history of Canada; educational resources of Confucius Institute, Ross Sheppard High School, and University of Alberta in Edmonton; and the research courses oriented toward "the heritage and development of Chinese language and culture" and "folk culture inheritance and development” not only enriched students’ knowledge and broaden their horizons, but also enabled the students to have a deeper understanding of the school motto “learning knowledge to erudition, endowing the world with moral.” More importantly, this trip is a practice of students’ knowledge. Canadian study tour “DREAM CANADA！” not only enhanced the communication between schools and different cultures, but also built a new bridge for international educational communication.  Translators： Melody Zhu  Sherry Tian

Group photo of Master of Confucius Institute and teachers and students of our school

Group photo of all the teachers and students in the Chinese classroom of Rose High School