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Local Students Prepared For Cultural ExperienceA group of local students have been undertaking a cultural awareness program in preparation for their journey to China, where they will act as Latrobe City ambassadors. By Latrobe City - 6th October 2010 - Back to News Twelve Lowanna Secondary College students have been taking part in the program, which is run by two Latrobe City representatives; Councillor Lisa Price, and international relations officer, Jie Liu. The program is designed to give the students a greater understanding and appreciation of the country’s long and rich history, along with an insight into their unique culture and lifestyle.
Latrobe City mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan, said the cultural training will give the students an opportunity to better understand the country they will be visiting.
"The lessons on China’s culture and history, as well as the Chinese language skills that were taught, will give the students the best possible preparation for their travels in China. These cultural insights will allow the students to better immerse themselves in the wonderful Chinese way of life.
"I am sure that they will all be fine ambassadors for Latrobe City and will come back with many great stories of the experiences to share with their friends and family," Cr O’Callaghan said.
Latrobe City’s international relations officer, Jie Liu, explained that the cultural training had been a huge success.
"The students were fascinated to learn about major cities in China; including Taizhou, Latrobe’s Sister City for the past 10 years, Xian with its 2,000 year history, Shanghai with its incredible commercial development and of course, Beijing, China’s capital and host to the recent Olympic Games.
"The students have all been studying hard and have gained basic Chinese language skills too, which will allow them to introduce themselves, and have basis conversations, with their Chinese hosts. Students also learnt about Chinese food and how to use chopsticks. Before they leave for China, they will be treated to a Chinese lunch by Latrobe City Council.
"The students will then be given a project to complete once they return that will focus on the difference in culture and lifestyle between China and Australia," Ms Liu said.
The trip will last just over three weeks and will include three days in Shanghai with a day in a local school, a visit to the World Expo, and city tours. There will be 9 to 10 days of home stays, working in schools, and local trips in Latrobe’s Sister City, Taizhou; together with three days in Beijing which will take in the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Imperial Palace. There will be another three days in Xian involving a school visit, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Old City; and finally three days in Hong Kong which will include a visit to the Renaissance College.
A mayoral led delegation will also be in Taizhou; to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Latrobe’s Sister City Relationship.
"The mayoral led delegation will attend a ceremony hosted by the City of Taizhou. The visit will coincide with the student visit and although both delegations will have separate itineraries, all will come together for the ceremony, where the Sister City Agreement will be re-signed for another 10 years.
"The mayoral led delegation will include Latrobe City representatives, teachers from Traralgon Secondary College who are currently on a six-month teacher exchange with their sister school in Taizhou, Latrobe City community members, and former mayor, Lorraine Bartling who signed the original Sister City Agreement 10 years ago," Ms Liu explained.
Ms Liu added that the 12 Lowanna and 13 Kurnai students will be accompanied by six staff members from their schools, as well as Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s ESL Gippsland regional project officer and leadership development coordinator Rod Dunlop.
"The delegations from both schools and the Regional Office staff will be looking to establish greater links with Chinese schools in the future. While this delegation will spend a proportion of their time with the student delegation, sufficient time will be spent discussing potential future arrangements between Latrobe City and Chinese schools," Ms Liu concluded.
Photo: Students and teachers bound for China with Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan and Latrobe City CEO Paul Buckley
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Jeremy Bein, Media Relations Coordinator
Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0407 862 977
Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations
Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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