In the heart of Beijing's most beautiful season, BNDS welcomed a group of students from Koln, Germany, for a week of cultural exchange.

From October 24th to 31st, a group of students from Europaschule Köln in Germany spent a week immersing themselves in school life at BNDS. Hosted by the BNDS Ambassador Club and BNDS host families, the students could participate in classes alongside BNDS students, join club activities, tour the school, and experience family life by staying with local hosts.

BNDS arranged a variety of immersive activities for the visitors. Volunteers from the BNDS Ambassador Club took on key responsibilities such as touring visitors around campus, accompanying them to classes, sharing meals, and welcoming them into various club activities. A few BNDS families generously hosted the visiting students, providing them with opportunities to experience family life in Beijing.

Warm Welcome and Introductions: On the afternoon of October 24th, the week of immersion began with a warm, welcoming ceremony. A school ambassador gave a captivating speech in German, introducing BNDS and Beijing to the visitors.

BNDS Through Their Eyes: The visiting students then embarked on campus tours led by our ambassadors, who introduced them to BNDS's unique spaces, classrooms, and facilities. The German students attended classes and participated in club and sports activities throughout the week. This gave them a taste of the academic atmosphere, teaching styles, and rich after-school life at BNDS. One of the most memorable experiences was trying several specialty cultural courses offered at BNDS, including Chinese Calligraphy, Peking Opera Face Painting, Chinese painting, Dragon Dance, Baduanjin, Tea Art, and Paper Cutting.

Sharing Meals, Sharing Stories: The visiting students enjoyed communal lunches with student volunteers from the BNDS Ambassador Club in the underground cafeteria, savoring various typical Chinese home-style dishes. They engaged in lively discussions on many topics, discovering many common interests among high school students across the globe. Through sharing stories and exchanging favorite songs, they bonded and learned about Beijing and Koln's unique cultures and fun aspects.

Live like a Beijinger: Our generous BNDS hosting families welcomed visiting students to their homes, providing them with an authentic experience of Chinese culture and warm hospitality. Families toured the city with students, visiting iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, where they enjoyed boating and exploring the grounds. They also delved into local culture, navigating the Qianmen Hutong and sampling street food like "donkey rolls" and stinky tofu.

Farewell and See You Again: To commemorate the exchange, a farewell ceremony was held on October 30th, where students and host families shared their experiences and reflections. The ceremony featured speeches from students, teachers, and parents, a martial arts performance, and certificates were presented to recognize outstanding host families and participants. Parents from host families shared their experiences, highlighting the students' politeness and eagerness to learn. They were surprised to find similarities between Chinese and German cultures, such as shared beliefs about quadrangle dwellings and itchy ears. Students from both two schools emphasized the personal growth fostered by the program. They valued the opportunities to step out of their comfort zones to plan activities, navigate the city, and embrace new experiences.

We are confident that our guests from Koln left BNDS with cherished memories, a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and the warmth of new friendships. These international exchanges enrich our school community, allowing us to broaden our horizons and embrace the richness of diverse cultures. We look forward to future opportunities to connect with students worldwide!