Last week, NLCS Jeju held events during the week to give everyone in school a chance to learn and experience Chinese culture.

NLCS holds an event about a certain subject every week.

Each week’s features booths related to the week’s subject that are open to everyone in the school. 

Last week, the subject was Mandarin, one of the language subjects in NLCS Jeju. 

There are many pupils and teachers who come from China in NLCS.

This enrichment week was the best chance for them to showcase their country’s culture.

Various interesting events took place during the week.

Students were allowed to do different kinds of activities every day. 

Chinese red lantern lights, a symbol of wealth, fame and prosperity, were adorned upon the ceiling and Chinese music was turned on in the morning, allowing people to experience the   music culture in China.

There were also white tigers and masks prepared for pupils and school staff to colour in and decorate.  

Chinese tattoos were one of the most popular events.

Sticker tattoos of asian cultural shapes such as fishes or red flowers were featured.

In China, lantern riddles symbolise good luck and prosperity.

Lantern riddle originate from the Lantern festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. 

Students wrote their own lantern riddle, which they said was a memorable event. 

One of the interesting events was knot making.

Knots are supposed to ward off evil spirits and hence are considered a symbol of longevity and eternity. 

Knots act as good-luck charms that are given during Chinese New Year celebrations. 

Everyone had a chance to experience Chinese culture and take the things home with them. 

Pupils and teachers who led the event wore traditional chinese clothing, which was extraordinary compared to other enrichment week subjects.

One of the main events was the giant panda that walked around the school during lunch time.

Students were allowed to take pictures with the giant panda.

In China, pandas symbolise peace and friendship.

The giant panda made people more engaged in the enrichment week booths and various events.

The climax of the enrichment week was the dragon dance performance and the Chinese opera in the PAC(Performing Auditorium Center).

Students,who are doing Mandarin at school prepared a Chinese traditional dragon dance and played music with China’s traditional instruments. 

The colourful dragon dance was impressive and exciting.

The Chinese opera was also extraordinary. 

The most amazing part was that both of the events were planned and shown by the students. 

As enjoying cultural life is a key method to learn about another culture, the opera was a unique and remarkable event to do just that.

Learning and respecting other country’s cultures is important.

It is the first step towards globalisation. 

In addition, by respecting foreign culture, our culture could also be respected by others. 

Mandarin Enrichment week was the best chance for pupils and school staff to experience China’s culture.

Teachers and pupils from China also enjoyed showing and teaching their culture. 

Students who enjoyed the week said it was an interesting week to truly find out China’s culture and traditions.

Mandarin Enrichment week was a great opportunity for pupils and teachers in school to learn about Chinese culture and experience it. 

Having such a precious event in our school will make students curious about other Asia countries' cultures and think more globally. 

The importance of sharing culture, learning cultural differences, and discovering fabulous parts of it are essential towards achieving global growth. 

From the experience of past students, those who preceded the event predicted that it would positively affect their thoughts of respecting cultures.

Jisu Park (Kellyn)

Year 9

North London Collegiate School, Jeju