On April 18, Longde School in Lixia District, Jinan City, welcomed a special group of guests—a delegation of teachers and students from St. Joseph’s School in New Zealand.  

             Partners in Exploration: A Tour of the Longwa Dream Factory  

The New Zealand delegation paid a visit to Longde School’s“Longwa Dream Factory”. Chinese and foreign students paired up for one-on-one exchanges, pausing frequently to admire exhibits and share laughter. Friends from different countries exchanged gifts, planting the seeds of friendship at Longde.  

Experiencing Traditional Chinese Culture and Art  

Amid the melodious strains of a traditional Chinese ensemble, a live performance of Lanting Xu(the Orchid Pavilion Preface) intertwined with calligraphy displays, immersing the New Zealand guests in the charm of Chinese culture. Later, Longde student representatives invited their peers to join a class, singing the folk song *Jasmine Flower* together and appreciating the beauty of the East through music. Guided by Longde’s "little tour guides," the visitors also explored the school’s Children’s Art Gallery, where vibrant and imaginative paintings reflected the creativity and dreams of Chinese students. They stopped frequently to admire the works, exchanging praise and artistic techniques.  

Signing Agreements to Share Educational Resources

The leader of St. Joseph’s delegation highly praised Longde’s practices in self-directed education. The two schools signed a sister-school agreement, pledging to deepen mutual exchanges and cooperation.  

Gathering Together to Savor Traditional Cuisine  

At noon, teachers and students gathered in the school cafeteria to learn how to make dumplings, experiencing the process of crafting this traditional dish. With dough wrappers in hand and fillings carefully tucked inside, the New Zealand delegation was full of excitement and laughter. Sitting together, they tasted their homemade dumplings, savoring the unique charm of Chinese culinary culture as their bonds grew stronger.  

This event not only enhanced educational exchanges between the two schools but also fostered mutual understanding between Chinese and New Zealand cultures, building a bridge of cultural communication in the hearts of Longde and St. Joseph’s communities. Both sides will continue to develop collaborative projects, nurturing future talents with global perspectives.  

At the farewell, contact details were exchanged, and St. Joseph’s students delivered a wonderful performance as a token of gratitude. The principal of St. Joseph’s remarked, "We felt the warmth of Chinese teachers and students and the rich flavors of China."