Asian Adventure
I had the unique opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and Mainland China March 24 – April 5th, as part of a recruitment tour, alongside Tom Bileski, Director of Community Relations. This was my first time in Asia and if I were to sum up my experience in one word it would have to be “hospitality”!
During our twelve day visit, Tom and I had the opportunity to visit several agents, numerous parents of present international students, and the administrators and English teachers of the schools that are part of our 22 year partnership in Xindu: Xindu No. 1 Middle School, Main Campus; Xindu #1 Middle School Chengbei Campus, and the Experimental School attached to Xindu #1 Middle School.
In all of our visits, we were treated as royalty. In Asian culture, bestowing gifts, offering toasts and extending the table are the norm. I accepted beautiful gifts on behalf of the school including an embroidered table centerpiece, freshly sealed green tea and a scarf. Toasts were kind and generous, and most impressive were the vast and extravagant meals. I had the opportunity to try many diverse dishes and became more skilled at using chopsticks. It was a treat to visit a Grade 7 English class at the Experimental School where students in the class favored Tom and I with a talent show including the performance of several English songs they had learned! Emails and autographs were also exchanged – I am excited now to have several stuffed pandas in my office from these keen students!
Rockway is privileged to have a sister school in China, thanks to the vision of past principal, Bert Lobe. It was his vision that allowed Rockway to partner with Xindu, allowing the birth of Rockway’s China Exchange to be launched, and allowing students from Xindu to come and study here at Rockway. During our stay, we re-committed ourselves to this partnership, through the signing of another partnership agreement, something that will allow us to continue to connect over the next number of years.
It was an honor to visit Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xindu and Beijing on behalf of the school. Parents, Agents and Administrators consistently affirmed Rockway and I was humbled by the respect they have of our school. I believe my visit will help me in my work as I continue to advance the mission of this school.
Ann L. Schultz
Principal
