By REBECCA BILLS
EIGHT Year 9 Mater Christi students have returned from a trip of a lifetime.
The girls were part of a six-week immersion experience in China as part of the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program, spending time at the Beijing School and Shanghai School.
Mater Christi was chosen as one of eight schools to participate in the inaugural trip which will provide the opportunity for 1500 Victorian Year 9 students to travel to China over the next five years.
The students took part in a one-week intensive Chinese language program, a one-week culture program, and four weeks in-school experience where students participated in a structured curriculum program.
Principal Mary Fitz-Gerald said the trip was an extraordinary experience for the girls.
“We actively seek and support practical experiences in all our programs to build real world understanding and skill,” she said.
“These are terrific learning opportunities for the girls and the immersion experience was an opportunity for the girls not only to appreciate Chinese culture but to better their language skills and to grow as individuals.
“Given that we are in an age where there is a lot of social media, the communication can continue with their new Chinese friends.”
The Victorian Young Leaders to China Program aims to develop capabilities for modern ways of living, thinking and working and includes global knowledge, intercultural understanding as well as developing thinking and relationship skills for engaging in a global context.
Zara Dennis was the teacher who accompanied the girls on the trip and said it was a fantastic opportunity to be the pioneers of the program.
“One of the most fantastic parts of the trip was watching the eight girls grow as young ladies,” she said.
Student Jocelyn Bennett said learning Mandarin from Year 7 helped all the girls’ confidence going into the trip, adding many of them wished to return in the next few years to visit their new Chinese friends.
“Some parts were hard but we all had a great time and learnt so much,” she said.
“From the trip our language skills have improved heaps and it was wonderful to experience learning in China.”
