Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan province, is often heralded as the “Land of Abundance” (“天府之国”). The city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Famous for being the home of the giant panda, Chengdu is a blend of traditional charm and modern development. From Nov.1 to 6, 41 of our Grade 11 and Pre-IB students, accompanied by two dedicated teachers, embarked on a transformative 6-day “Me To We” CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) trip. During this 6-day journey, students experienced the unique local culture of Chengdu: the culture of Taoism, the cuisine of Sichuan food, the World Heritage Site of Mount Qingcheng, the tradition of Sichuan Opera Face Changing, and many more.
This immersive journey to Chengdu perfectly embodies the essence of CAS, providing students with invaluable opportunities to cultivate their creativity, nurture their physical and mental well-being through engaging activities, and make a lasting impact through meaningful services.
成都，四川省的活力之都，被誉为“天府之国”。这座城市以其丰富的历史、充满活力的文化和各种美食而闻名。成都以大熊猫的故乡而闻名，是传统魅力与现代发展的完美结合。1月1日到6日期间，协和古北11年级和Pre-IB班的41名学生，在两位老师的陪同下，开始了为期6天的“Me To We” CAS之旅（创造力、行动和服务）。在这6天的旅程中，学生们体验了成都独特的地方文化：道教文化、四川美食、世界遗产青城山、川剧变脸等等。这次深入成都的旅程完美地体现了CAS的本质，为学生提供了宝贵的机会，让他们通过参与活动培养创造力，培养他们的身心健康，并通过有意义的服务产生持久的影响。
Dujiangyan Panda Valley: Wonders of Sichuan
都江堰熊猫谷：四川奇观
The China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province is a renowned panda conservation center that is home to hundreds of giant pandas. During our visit, we had the unique opportunity to volunteer and contribute to the enrichment of the pandas’ living facilities. We engaged in hands-on activities, from preparing the pandas’ nutritious meals by separating bamboo, cutting leaves, and assembling their food to watching an informative documentary on the ultimate goal of returning pandas to their natural habitats.
This immersive experience allowed us to witness firsthand the critical conservation efforts aimed at protecting these precious animals. Not only did this nurture our compassion for the natural world, but it also instilled a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of ecosystems and the crucial role that humans play in preservation and restoration efforts.
四川省大熊猫保护研究中心是中国著名的大熊猫保护中心，拥有数百只大熊猫。
在我们的参观期间，我们有幸成为志愿者，为大熊猫的生活环境改善贡献力量。我们参与了各种实际操作活动，从为大熊猫准备营养丰富的食物（如分离竹子、切割竹叶，并为它们准备食物）到观看关于将大熊猫重新放归自然栖息地的教育纪录片。
这种沉浸式的体验让我们亲眼见证了保护这些珍贵动物所进行的至关重要的保护工作。这不仅培养了我们对自然世界的同情心，也让我们更加深刻地认识到生态系统的微妙平衡以及人类在保护和恢复工作中所扮演的关键角色。
Tai Chi Lesson: Cultural Immersion
太极课：文化浸润
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art and exercise that has its roots in Taoism,, we engaged in a comprehensive Tai Chi lesson led by dedicated masters. Over the course of two hours, we learned a complete set of Tai Chi movements that lasted for three minutes.
Beyond the physical practice, the instructors emphasized the Taoist philosophy that underpins this ancient martial art, highlighting how Tai Chi promotes not only physical well-being but also mental calmness and inner harmony. By delving into the rich cultural heritage of Tai Chi, we developed a newfound appreciation for the holistic approach to self-cultivation that has been cultivated in China for centuries. This experience not only enhanced our creativity and activity but also fostered a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between mind, body, and spirit.
太极是一种古老的中国武术和健身运动，源于道教。我们跟随资深大师参加了一次全面的太极课程。
在两个小时的时间里，我们学习了一套完整的太极动作，持续了三分钟。除了身体练习外，老师们强调了支撑这种古老武术的道教哲学，强调太极不仅能促进身体健康，还能促进心理平静和内心和谐。
通过深入了解太极的丰富文化遗产，我们对中国数百年来培育的全面自我修养方法产生了新的认识。这段经历不仅提高了我们的创造力和活动能力，还使我们对于身心灵之间相互联系有了更深层次的理解。
Sichuan Food Cooking Lesson: Cultivating Creativity and Cultural Exchange
川菜烹饪课：培养创造力与文化交流
Sichuan, or Szechuan, cuisine is renowned for its bold, aromatic flavors and the liberal use of chili peppers. We participated in a hands-on cooking class where we learned to prepare the renowned Kung Pao Chicken and handmade steamed panda dumplings. Under the guidance of a skilled local chef, we gained practical skills in traditional Sichuan cooking techniques, using our creativity in the kitchen. Beyond the act of cooking, we also get to taste the food that we’ve cooked.
This experience allowed us to forge connections with the local community and develop a deeper appreciation for the region’s gourmet heritage. By sharing this cultural exchange through the universal language of food, we not only nurtured our interests in cooking but also fostered a sense of global citizenship, recognizing the power of cuisine to bridge cultural divides and promote cross-cultural understanding.
川菜以其大胆的香料风味和大量使用辣椒而闻名。我们参加了一次亲自动手的烹饪课，学习制作著名的宫保鸡丁和手工蒸熊猫饺子。在当地厨师的指导下，我们掌握了传统川菜的烹饪技巧，并在厨房里发挥自己的创造力。
除了烹饪本身，我们还可以品尝自己做的食物。这段经历让我们与当地社区建立了联系，并加深了对该地区美食传统的欣赏。通过食物这一通用语言进行文化交流，我们不仅培养了对烹饪的兴趣，还培养了全球公民意识，认识到了烹饪在弥合文化差异、促进跨文化理解方面的力量。
Dujiangyan Guangya School: Community Engagement
都江堰光亚学校：社区参与
Our cultural exploration continued with a visit to the Dujiangyan Guangya School, an international institution in Chengdu. Here, we taught and interacted with primary students. Some of us showed our expertise in theatre and arts, while others interacted closely with the students, fostering connection.
After this, we participated in a friendly basketball game. While we ultimately lost, we were surprised by how well we performed, as none of us expected to be so evenly matched. The game fostered a sense of belonging, and we made new connections with the opposing players.
These cross-cultural exchanges not only deepened our understanding of the local educational landscape but also provided us with valuable opportunities to build interpersonal skills, cultivate empathy, and forge meaningful connections with our international .
继续我们的文化探索之旅，我们前往成都的一所国际学校——都江堰光亚学校进行参观。在这里，我们与小学生进行教学互动，传授知识并与进行了深入交流。
有些同学展示了他们在戏剧和艺术方面的专长，还有一些同学与当地学生建立了密切互动，促进了情感交流。随后，我们还参与了一场篮球友谊赛。尽管最终未能取胜，但我们对自身所展现出的卓越表现感到惊喜，因为事先并未预料到比赛会如此激烈。这场比赛增强了我们的团队凝聚力，并与对手球员建立了新的友谊。
这些跨文化的交流活动不仅加深了我们对当地教育环境的认识，还为我们提供了宝贵的机会，以培养人际交往能力、增进同理心，并与国际同伴建立了有意义的联系。
Sichuan Opera Face Changing: Embracing Tradition
川剧变脸：传承传统
The Sichuan Opera, also known as Chuanju, is a centuries-old theatrical tradition that originated in the Sichuan region. We watched a performance of the Sichuan Opera’s Face Changing Technique, and watching professionals doing what they’re good at is simply enjoyable.
We were shocked as we witnessed the skilled performers effortlessly swapping intricate masks, a tradition with over 300 years of history. Beyond just observing, we had the opportunity to learn some of the tricks behind this art, including tea pouring and hand shadow art.
By actively engaging with the masters and trying our hand at these techniques, we not only expanded our arts but also developed a deeper appreciation for the dedication and artistry required to preserve these cultural practices.
四川川剧，亦称川剧，乃源自四川地域之戏剧艺术，拥有数百年的悠久历史。我们有幸观赏了一场川剧变脸的演出，目睹了艺术家们展示其精湛技艺，实为一种视觉与心灵的双重享受。
令人叹为观止的是，川剧变脸这一艺术形式已传承逾三百年，我们不仅目睹了演员们炉火纯青的表演，更深刻感受到了川剧艺术的独特魅力。这种传统艺术不仅蕴含着极高的艺术价值，亦承载着深厚的文化意蕴。通过观赏此类表演，我们不仅得以领略川剧的独特风采，亦能更深入地理解和传承中国传统文化。
Leadership Courses
商业与领导力课程
Each evening, students engaged in leadership courses focused on building self-awareness, teamwork, and communication. They were encouraged to reflect on daily experiences, set personal goals, and embrace key lessons: that asking for help is a strength and failure is a common part of growth.
Through group discussions, problem-solving, and reflections, students learned to view setbacks as opportunities, building confidence and a sense of community. By the end of the trip, they gained insights into their strengths, resilience, and leadership potential.
每晚，学生们都参与了旨在培养自我认知、团队协作及沟通技巧的领导力课程。他们被激励去反思日常经历，设定个人目标，并领悟到寻求帮助实为一种力量，失败乃成长过程中不可或缺的一部分。通过集体讨论、问题解决及反思，学生们学会将挑战视为机遇，进而培养自信与团队意识。在旅程结束之际，他们对自身的优点、韧性及领导潜能有了更深刻的认识。
This journey was indeed a fun and memorable experience, leaving a lasting impact on both students and teachers. We returned not only with stories to tell but with a greater appreciation for the people and traditions of Sichuan. A big shout out to the school and “Me To We” for offering the opportunity to enjoy this invaluable trip.
这次旅行无疑是一段令人愉悦且难以忘怀的经历，对学生与老师均产生了深远的影响。我们不仅收获了诸多故事，还对四川省的民众及其传统文化有了更为深刻的认识与赞赏。特别需要感谢的是学校以及“Me To We”组织所提供的宝贵机会。
written by
G11 Max Wang and Leo Zhou