First international study tour builds friendships

For two weeks, 43 students from Guangzhou Language School tried their hand at woodwork, cooked traditional damper in a fire pit, and explored the unique sights of Darwin and the Northern Territory, such as the spectacular waterfalls in Litchfield National Park and the intimidating reptiles at a local crocodile park.

The visiting students also spent their school days attending classes with their new Australian ‘buddies’ at Haileybury Rendall School and lived on campus in the school’s boarding houses.

The Year 7 and 8 students and teachers were part of the first ever international study tour to Haileybury Rendall School from China – a much-anticipated visit that took two years of planning.

A global vision that builds connections

The inaugural study tour was a resounding success, says Lei Shangguan, Head of International Relations at HRS, who says plans are already being made for HRS students to visit the Chinese students in their home city and school next year.

“HRS has a global vision and we want to build mutual relationships with different schools so they can see the Australian education system at work. Some of the Chinese students who spent time with us want to study at Australian universities in the future and this visit showcased the Australian lifestyle,” says Lei.

“Meanwhile, our students learned what it is like to study in school in China and they gained a better understanding of Chinese culture. The students from both countries certainly learned a lot from each other.”

Haileybury Rendall School is already hosting six senior international students from the Beijing Foreign Studies University International School as part of a growing international program that reflects the Northern Territory’s increasingly important role in global education exchange.

Changing perceptions

The recent international study tour underscores Haileybury Rendall School’s aim to offer its students and teachers a broad educational perspective, with sister school relationships being an integral part of this goal.

“These relationships are mutually beneficial and expose students and teachers from different countries to new teaching and learning methods, while also strengthening cultural ties and understanding,” says Lei.

“I teach Year 9 Chinese to mostly Australian students and during the visit I organised a class with the Chinese students and my year 9 students and each group spoke about their school and what their school day was like.

“Then the Chinese students worked in groups with Haileybury students and they learned more about each other’s languages. That experience gave our students a deeper understanding of the usefulness of a second language and how it can be put into practice.”

Cooking and camping

During the two-week visit, firm friendships were forged between the Chinese visitors and their Darwin hosts and two-way learning was regularly on display. When Australian students taught their visitors how to make a local delicacy – honey joys – the visitors returned the favour by arranging dumpling classes for their Australian schoolfriends.

During Woodwork classes – a subject that is not part of the curriculum in China – visiting students were able to craft a wooden keyring in the shape of Australia as a lasting souvenir of their trip to Haileybury Rendall School.

Lei says that for visiting teachers and students, a highlight of the international study tour was the opportunity to explore the Northern Territory with their new Australian friends.

“Our visitors loved the hiking and camping experience. In China, cities are so busy and crowded and there are people and buildings everywhere. So, when we travelled to some of the Northern Territory’s most natural places – that blew their minds!” says Lei.

A one world perspective

Year 8 student, Zihan, agreed that the natural beauty of Darwin and the surrounding areas was impressive.

“I was fortunate to have plenty of opportunities to get close to nature – the sunset at Mindil Beach created a long-lasting memory in my mind,” said Zihan.

For other students, memories were made while playing sport, conversations and time spent learning in class together.

“I really enjoyed the basketball game with my buddies at HRS, which strengthened the relationship between the two schools and students,” said Year 7 student, Shanming.

“The chit-chat time with my buddy definitely was a highlight – I will keep on chatting with her when I return to Guangzhou,” said Mier, also in Year 7.

“My most impressive things at HRS included the Food Tech lessons, Woodwork and playing hockey in PE lessons – moments I will never forget,” said Year 8 student, Mia.

“Moreover, I had a deeper understanding of Australian culture and history. We realised that despite cultural differences and geographical distances, we truly belong to one planet.”