Exchange Programme with the High School Affiliated to Fudan University (7-11 April 2025)
In the early morning of 7th April, twenty of us Secondary 4 students arrived at Hong Kong International Airport. Though bleary-eyed, we couldn’t wait to embark on our journey in Shanghai, where we would participate in an exchange programme with students from our sister school, the High School Affiliated to Fudan University (FDFZ).
Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, we were swiftly transported to our sister school. As we stepped foot onto their campus, we were greeted by a vast and beautiful scenery with much green foliage surrounding their buildings, which left many of us wide-eyed. We were then warmly welcomed by the teachers of FDFZ, who showed us the way into our well-equipped and comfortable dormitories.
After a brief rest in our rooms, we had the opportunity to engage in some hands-on scientific and technological activities at school, namely a scented candle-making workshop and a foldscope-making workshop. We could customise our candles by choosing the colour, scent and candle jar according to our preferences, which made the whole experience much more personalised. Through combining different waxes, melting the wax mixture, adding our preferred fragrances and finally waiting for the candle to set, we experienced just how long it actually takes to make a candle, as well as the importance of patience. In the second workshop, we were given stencils of the foldscope along with very clear instructions on how to make the microscope. It was quite a challenging process, but the teacher still very patiently walked us through each step whenever we encountered difficulties. At the end of the two workshops, we were allowed to take both of our handiworks with us as souvenirs to reminisce this fruitful experience again in the future.
On the second day, we were given the opportunity to take part in another workshop at FDFZ, where we were introduced to the history of Chinese fans and how they evolved from the feather fan into the Tuanshan, and finally into the folding fan. We were then taught how to write Chinese calligraphy on folding fans; after watching the teacher’s demonstration and trying it out ourselves, we were surprised by how much harder it was compared to what we had envisioned, and that writing calligraphy requires a lot of patience, skill, as well as practice, which made us appreciate the various works of Chinese calligraphers shown to us by the teacher all the more. After pages of attempts supported by the teacher’s guidance, we finally managed to leave with fans on our hands, inscribed with our lettering (of mostly “海納百川“), as well as that of the teacher’s, who kindly and skilfully calligraphed our names on every one of our fans.
On the third day, we had the privilege to join our student buddies for a full day of school at FDFZ. We attended lessons of subjects similar to those in our Secondary 4 curriculum, such as English, Chinese and Mathematics, along with elective subjects that are rather new to most of us, such as foreign languages, computer programming and art, all of which were very interesting and rich in content. What amazed me the most was the fact that the students from FDFZ start their school day at around 7:20 a.m. with a self-study session and attend classes all the way until 4:45 p.m., with the addition of another self-study session that ends at 9 p.m.; however, in each and every lesson throughout the day, it was obvious that the students were all focused and engaged despite their seemingly endless classes, which was what made us respect and admire them. Our student buddies welcomed us into their school with warm hospitality and we learnt more about them as the day went on; some of us even exchanged social media contacts with them, leaving us with many lasting friendships at the end of the day.
Throughout our trip, we also visited various cultural sites such as the City God Temple of Shanghai in Yu Garden, Guangfulin Neighbourhood and Zhujiajiao as well as commercial spots such as Nanjing Road, the Bund and Xintiandi, all of which are iconic attractions of Shanghai. The tour guide educated us on the brief history of each location, and we were then given time to explore the area on our own. One of the most memorable moments for me was when we walked through the historical buildings on the Bund while facing Lujiazui across the Huangpu River. We were struck by how Shanghai seamlessly combines history and modernity, with Western-style banks and hotels built in the late 19th to 20th century on one end, and towering skyscrapers representing the city’s financial and trading center on the other; this intersection between the past and the present allowed us to visualise Shanghai’s rapid urban development. This journey has deepened our understanding of Shanghai as a dynamic metropolis, where every corner holds a piece of its captivating narrative.
In conclusion, this exchange programme in Shanghai has been an enriching and unforgettable experience that has broadened our horizons both academically and culturally. From engaging in hands-on workshops and attending classes at FDFZ to exploring the city’s historic and modern landmarks, every moment was filled with learning, inspiration, and connection. We have gained valuable insights into the dedication and discipline of FDFZ students, developed a greater appreciation for Chinese traditions, and witnessed the unique fusion of history and innovation that defines Shanghai. The lasting friendships and memories created during this journey will remain with us for a lifetime, reminding us of the importance of cultural exchange in establishing new connections as well as broadening our horizons.