Celebrating cultures from our host country

The annual celebration of our host country's culture during China Week is a tradition enjoyed by everyone in the International School of Qingdao community. This year, students rotated among stations in the lobby and second floor, practicing traditional paper cutting, learning kongfu, engaging in folk activities and making their own sugar-coated haw sticks.

On Friday, Chinese language students took to the stage, with elementary students performing songs, dancing and reciting poems that they had worked on during the first semester. The International Club emceed a Jeopardy game of Chinese language and culture for middle and high school students and a few groups performed traditional and modern Chinese songs.

Engaging in our host culture is an important part of the International School of Qingdao experience. Students living as Third Culture Kids gain value when they learn to communicate in a second (or third!) language and begin to understand another culture. The International School of Qingdao's purpose is to develop globally-minded individuals who can interact with cultural competence and understanding. This week, that meant that everyone enjoyed beautiful cultural traditions and celebrated China together.