It is hard to deny that the world is becoming smaller due to globalization. The so-called global village shortens the distance between people. Besides, the advancement of technology also promotes more possibilities for people to communicate with others than before. With the awareness of this, we started cultural exchange programs ten years ago, in order to provide students wider vision to experience the real world.
Among various programs, school visiting is the most challenging one for students to take part in. The applicant should be capable of using English confidently because she will be learning at another Sacred Heart school in an English-speaking country, taking regular classes with local students and staying with a host family for at least two weeks. During the period she stays, she will be bathed in a totally different environment where she has abundant sources and support to experience a new culture, including the attitudes of students toward learning and the ways people live their lives. Moreover, each student is also expected to play the role of cultural ambassador, sharing what Taiwan is like with her foreign friends. Though tough, this is a program that helps students to be more independent and more aware of the outlook of the world.

Another program that we are developing is the cultural exchange camp during the summer session. On the basis of the principle of reciprocity, we invite foreign students from the schools that our students visited, to participate in the camp. The main purpose is to introduce the culture of Taiwan and to offer local students more opportunities to meet friends from other countries. What we present to our visitors through the curriculum so that they become familiar with life in Taiwan is our cultural essence : Chinese foods, folk arts including dancing and calligraphy, religious lives and so on. Besides, we also arrange field trips for students to visit famous scenic spots, such as the National Palace Museum, Yangmingshan National Park, and some famous antique temples. Our Aboriginal heritage is still another characteristic worthy of recommending. In effect, Chinese culture is too far-reaching to be explored within such a short time; however, the friendship and the connections made are more rewarding and precious.

An old Chinese proverb says: “It is difficult to initiate anything.” Nevertheless, we are still willing to devote ourselves to this worthwhile program. Because of this valuable process, students’ self-recognition of their culture will be aroused and they will take pride in it; and furthermore, be willing to share it with others.