School

School Structures

Global Communication and Education in Schools

School—we love it, we sometimes dislike it, and yet, we still go to it every day. Really, we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to go to school. The education we receive, the experiences we go through—all of these will benefit us in the future and we will be sure to look back on it gratefully. Many people around the world do not have the opportunity to go to school, and we that do really should appreciate our good fortune. But right now, there are many things to discuss about school. Teachers, classes, and upcoming school events all make up a big part of our daily friend-to-friend conversations and dinner-table chitchat.

At our combined middle-and-high-school in California, we wake up early in morning each day in order to get to our first classes on time. Some people bike, some walk, some drive to campus. We are usually still sleepy when we arrive at school, and often we wish it were still the weekend. We go through the day with many different emotions; we sit through classes we enjoy and classes we find less interesting. There are many friends to talk to, good food to eat, activities to participate in, and yet often, by the end of the day, we are bombarded with loads of homework, as to ensure that we do not miss school while we are away from it. And yet, in the long run, we come out of our education brighter, more sophisticated, and more enlightened, so that we may better live the rest of our lives.

What is school like in your country, and what do you like about it? What would you change?

How do you get to school and what subjects do you study?

School Structures Around the World:

Many school structures around the world are very similar:

USA:

France:

Taiwan:

Here is a chart showing how similar Taiwan's educational structure is to that of the US and of France:

http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/taiwan-story/education/edown/chart/chart-1.htm

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Global Communication and Educaton in Schools:

In schools around the world, there are many ways in which we students get in touch with other students across the continent or overseas. Through these connections, we learn about other cultures and open our minds to diversity and new ideas. We forge valuable friendships and acquaintances that encourage us to celebrate both our similarities and our differences. While the leaders of our nations find time together to communicate, it is also our duty as young people around the globe to bond together as the future generation. Thanks to the many programs that our schools provide for us and encourage us to participate in, we have numerous opportunities to fulfill that duty.

Exchange students:

Being an exchange student, or just hosting one, is a wonderful way to meet people who come from different cultural backgrounds. Though homestays may seem awkward at first, both the host and the guest come out of them with bountiful good memories, inspiration to be globally involved, and a new, interesting friend.

Our school in California has a "sister school" in Japan called Junshin, and every year, a group of about eight Junshin girls in high school come to visit our school for a week. They stay with students who volunteer to host them and become "sisters." The Junshin girls join us in some of our classes, and they also eat lunch with us. They come to experience American culture, but they also inevitably bring to us their unique Japanese culture through their fashion, speech, gestures, and conversation. For example, while we American students pose for pictures, we just grin broadly (and often somewhat idiotically! =) ). However, the minute the Japanese girls spot the camera, they instinctively hold up two fingers in the shape of a V--also known as the "peace" sign.

Conversing with the Junshin students is quite an experience: Although at first breaking the "language barrier" is a challenge, the guessing and heavily accented sentences from both sides soon become a fun game. No matter how simple or silly or thoughtful the questions, the answers are always interesting--and often even surprising. Sometimes cultures are so different that they are hard for us to imagine, but talking to--and staying with--people our age from that culture, we can teach each other about our cultures and learn a lot in return.

International Schools:

Another way for students to gain a global perspective is through attending international school. Now the world of education is rich with an expansive network of schools all over the world, created specifically to suit the needs of foreign students. These schools offer a bilingual environment and allow children to continue their education in the way they are used to. The schools provide a diverse curriculum, including elements of the students' original culture as well the culture of the school's location. Students can take classes in their own language while the schools help to integrate them into their new community.

Penpals:

Having a penpal is a great way to communicate with other students around the world. Often schools offer programs in which students can write to and receive letters from other students who go to schools in different countries.

Nowadays, with the popularity and usefulness of the Internet, children can also save paper and postage and write to penpals on e-mail. Not only can you practice another language (or perfect your own), but you can also explore what it is like for someone just like you to be living half way around the world!

Ask your teacher if your school offers a penpal program which you can participate in!

Flat Stanley:

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

International Schools Services. Welcome to ISS. 5 Apr. 2005 <http://www.iss.edu/>.

"Taiwan's Educational Development and Present Situation." Government Information Office, republic of China (Taiwan). 31 Mar. 2005 <http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/taiwan-story/education/edown/3-1.htm>.

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