EXCHANGES Internationalism in action
Two lucky Year 10 students experienced life in China during the September holidays as guests of their Richards House friends, Year 10 international students Daniel Wei and Timmy Li. And while Daniel and Timmy were showing Ollie Blackburn and Josh Garland their homeland, Year 11 students Nathan McKenzie and Armando O’Shannessey were being exposed to the excitement of Spain by their friend and fellow Year 11 student Alberto Benito Santisteban.
College espouses internationalism through Round Square, and these visits saw the concept enacted in real time. Discovering China For Ollie, travelling with Daniel to Shanghai gave him a great introduction to the complexity and modernity of contemporary China. “There were a lot more people than I was expecting, and Shanghai is a lot bigger than I had imagined.” Living with Daniel’s parents and younger sister, none of whom speak English, was exciting – and Daniel proved a capable interpreter. “I learnt a few words, simple responses, but most of the time we got by, and the whole experience was really good fun. I got to meet Daniel’s friends and we went out with them a couple of times, which was great.” For Daniel, seeing Ollie try new foods like duck blood and snake was really fun, and teaching him how to use chopsticks was an important part of the process. “To be fair, the snake was a first time for me as well. It’s prepared with lots of spices, so you don’t really taste it that well, but it’s very bony,” says Daniel.
Ollie has developed a new respect for his friend since being welcomed into his home. “When I first came to College I never dreamt of getting to know an international student, or visiting his home in China. It’s been an amazing opportunity to get to go there. Now I can see what it’s like overseas, and what their lifestyle is
like, and can begin to understand something of what these guys are going through adjusting to life in New Zealand,” he says. Timmy Li arrived at College at the beginning of the year, and he and Josh got to know one another in Richards House, in Economics class, and at Boyle River on Immerse & Inspire.
Christ’s College Canterbury
40
Made with FlippingBook Annual report