Shanghai youth camp helping grow international education

Shanghai youth camp helping grow Dunedin’s international education sector

Organisers of a visit by Dunedin secondary students to Shanghai next week are hoping it will lead to more reciprocal study visits between Dunedin and China.

Joelle Gatenby and Galina Mandich (Columba College), Chris Hawkins (Bayfield High School) and Anna Thomas (Otago Girls High School) will attend the Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp between 18 and 31 July. They will be chaperoned by Kaikorai Valley College teacher Jane Boulton,

The visit, organised by Study Dunedin, part of Enterprise Dunedin, and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, will provide an opportunity for students to be immersed in Chinese culture and try out activities such as calligraphy, martial arts, Mandarin, kite flying, and dragon boat racing.

Study Dunedin Coordinator Margo Reid said students who attended previous Shanghai camps found them a “life-changing” experience.

“Not only do they experience Chinese culture, they broaden their horizons and share New Zealand culture with students from many countries,” Ms Reid said.

Two students who went to last year’s camp are planning to return to Shanghai for tertiary study, she said.

“Many Chinese students study in Dunedin, but few Dunedin students study in Shanghai. By introducing these students to Shanghai next week, we’re hoping study visits will become more reciprocal.”

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