Josephians Host Visitors from MOE JC-SM2 Special Integration Programme

By Dana Cheng (ML 512) and Torance Tan (LE508)

International Education (IE) is integral in today's education to provide students with international mindedness, see the world, and gain the internationalisation experience so vital in today's borderless and interconnected world. In this respect, the hosting of overseas visitors provides Josephians with an opportunity to be engaged at a global level in three areas; physical challenges, intercultural understanding and community service. This transformative curriculum hopes to lead students to learn through community engagement and connections. In SJI, IE provides the platform to nurture Josephians to become curious and passionate learners who create purposeful connections between learning and effective leading and service.

As part of the SJI IE Programme, 14 Year 5 Josephians organised and hosted Senior Middle 2 (SM2) students from China on 13 March 2021, under the Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme as part of the JC Experiential Programme (JXP) organised by MOE. The Josephians brought their Chinese visitors on a guided walking exploration tour in the Tiong Bahru heritage area. Through this, the Chinese students had the opportunity to visit and explore Singapore's heritage places and learn about our local culture and history. This was observed with strict safe management measures while conducting the tours.

Through this programme, the students were reminded of the importance of people-centeredness, especially in Singapore as a city-island state. This experience has made them more aware of the importance of bilateral ties between countries and the necessity for Singapore as an island nation to maintain good relations with the countries around us. This exchange has given them the opportunity to interact, get to know, and gain a deeper insight into another culture.