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2G Sze Hiu Wing Charlotte

At the start of this academic year, I was delighted to be chosen to host girls from the CHIJ in Singapore, with 11 other Form 2 and Form 3 girls from ßÙßÇÂþ»­. During their two-day visit in November of 2024, the CHIJ girls joined us in lunchtime activities, lessons and we arranged a school tour for them. What was most memorable to me was our mini-presentations on the similarities and differences between Singapore and Hong Kong. 

My buddy Ashley and I were in charge of Singapore and Hong Kong languages and dialects and it was definitely interesting learning about Singapore's diverse language culture such as Hokkien, Tamil, Malay, Teochew etc. Ashley even taught me some Singlish phrases and I taught her some Cantonese phrases as well. While I definitely learned a lot from researching for our own presentation, I was also surprised by what the other groups presented, ranging from education systems and universities to food culture. On the surface, Singapore and Hong Kong may seem similar because both are vibrant and diverse, however, I learnt that they actually have many differences. 

Although our time together was short, Ashley and I became good friends and promised to keep in touch. This programme allowed me to build friendships that surpasses geographical limits and broadened my horizons on our different cultures, which I will forever cherish. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude towards the school for granting me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.

3A Siu Shun Yuen, 3B Chan Serene, 3E Wong Tsz Huen

Under the azure sky of Singapore, our group of seven began our journey. On the first official day, the school held a home-based learning day, allowing us to explore local culture at Merlion and Orchard Road. We were awestruck by the majestic Merlion statue, a symbol of Singapore’s heritage.

We received a warm welcome from CHIJ students and teacher, Miss Ong. Despite the scorching weather, we started our visit at CHIJ. The programme presented challenges, such as attending classes without air conditioning and waking up early, but it helped us grow more mature and independent. The CHIJ campus was vast, and with the help of our friendly buddies, Jinghan, Ashley, and Sarah, we quickly settled into our classes.

Some lessons were advanced, including topics like the digestive system in General Science and Linear Laws in Additional Maths. We also enjoyed hands-on classes, such as making handmade meatballs, which concluded with a food analysis. During 40-minute breaks, we chatted with the girls about the differences between Hong Kong and Singapore, sharing Cantonese phrases and creating lasting memories.

The bustling canteen was a highlight, filled with students, including those in ethnic costumes like Cheongsams and Hanfu. On our last day, we took photos and exchanged small gifts, leaving with a sense of reluctance but hopeful for future reunions.

This journey exposed us to different cultures and forged deep friendships, making it truly remarkable. We look forward to participating in similar exchange programmes soon!