In early February Oundle School hosted three pupils from the High School Affiliated to Fudan University in Shanghai as part of a World Leading Schools Association (WLSA) East to West Exchange Programme. Borui Shi, Yuyang Wang, and Boao Dong were hosted in boarding houses by Oundle pupils Max Norris (F), Giorgio Meanti (Ldr) and Danila Mikhaylov (C).
During their stay the Chinese boys had a full timetable of academic lessons, as well as sports and Community Action activities. Boao met children at Oundle Primary School at the weekly Maths Mentoring session where he enjoyed helping Giorgio explain the properties of consecutive numbers. Borui assisted at an ICT session for the elderly, which he said made him appreciate the technology that he takes for granted.
The boys were unanimous in their appreciation of their boarding house meals, though unsure of how to name the dishes they enjoyed. They also observed that English pupils, and indeed people in town, did not use their phones as much as people in Shanghai. Yuyang said that his phone was an extension of himself, and he would be very anxious if he didn’t have it with him at all times.
They were impressed by the town of Oundle and commented on how freely the pupils were allowed to move about the town.
In July 2018 the six boys involved in the exchange will meet again on Jeju Island in South Korea to attend the WLSA summer conference on cross-cultural leadership, exploring the ‘Human Condition’ in a world dominated by media overload.
This was the first time that Oundle has participated in an East to West Exchange. The WLSA is a joint educational foundation which aims to promote cooperation and academic exchange and culturally broadening programmes between leading associate secondary schools in the world, as well as experts in the field of higher education and college counselling.
C Redding