Getting to meet an exchange student from Singapore was definitely one of the best things that have ever happened to me. I’ve learned so much from this wonderful experience. It was an unforgettable memory as I’ve made a new friend. We shared some common interests and we had a lot of fun during class.
My buddy was called Natasha, and I was very delighted to meet her. At first, we didn’t talk much, but after that we broke the ice and were able to know each other better. By the third day, we were chatting and laughing, having a great time. When it was the last day (Sports Day final), I was really sad to see her go. I wanted to cry, but I knew that Natasha didn’t want me to. She gave me a letter before she left. When I read it, my eyes started to get wet. Everything she wrote in the letter was about all the wonderful times we had. Thinking back now, I really miss her with all my heart.

From the exchange programme, I’ve learned to cooperate with my classmates on how to entertain guests. On the other hand, I’ve learned to have good time management in taking care of my buddy while handling my school work. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life, and I will treasure the memory in my heart.

Annabelle Lau 3C

During the five-day visit from the Singaporean students to our school, I was delighted to find the exchange programme very meaningful and memorable. The girl assigned to the care of me and one of my classmates is Cheryl. She is a cheerful girl and we had much to talk about. From her, I also learnt more about the teen culture of Singapore. I thought they would listen to different singers from ours in Hong Kong but actually, they were more or less the same. The interests of teenagers in our countries are not very different, either. We all like sleeping and eating, and we all just love frozen yogurt!

This opportunity to have new friends from overseas is very rewarding as well. We had to communicate with them in English and in turn, we practised our oral skills as well as interacting with others. We made friends with them very quickly and learnt more about the culture of the Singaporeans.

I was also quite bemused by some of the things Cheryl told me about her school. She told me that her school is much smaller than ours, that the tuck-shop at her school is split up into three sections selling food from different countries and the fact that they don’t have blackboards. They use whiteboards and markers instead.

I really miss Cheryl since she left in the middle of our Sports Day. But we promised to be each other’s pen friend, so we will never lose contact with each other!

Veronica Huang 3C

It was indeed a privilege for me to be one of the buddies of the CHIJ students.

During that week, we chatted a lot about our common interests and the different cultures of the two cities. There was not any invisible blockage between us since their first day here and our friendship has been fostered. Our dialogues were not just exchanging greetings and having small talks. Instead, we were sharing our secrets! Our class was very friendly towards them and we often cracked jokes to make the CHIJ girls burst into laughter. We enjoyed the time together so much that we couldn’t stop laughing every day. Gradually, our class formed a close relationship with the CHIJ girls. Frankly, I have had a lot of friendship, but never had such an intimate one.

Though they have left Hong Kong, I will surely never forget the happy days and all the things I have learnt from them. I am looking forward to seeing the CHIJ students again in a few months’ time.

Jennie Wong 3D

 

This programme provided a precious opportunity for me to communicate with students from overseas. It gave me a chance to take care of new friends. At first, I was a bit worried whether I could get along with the CHIJ students. But even when we first met, I found out that they were all very nice and easy-going so we soon became friends. During the week, we had lessons together and we chatted about the similarities and differences between Singapore and Hong Kong. They joined our Sports Day Final on Friday which was also the last day of their visit to our school. All of us bade our sad farewell before the CHIJ students left the sports ground.

I gained a lot and developed my interpersonal skills through this programme. Being a buddy of the CHIJ students, I had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her. Although it was a challenge for me as I did not have such experience before, I did enjoy being a friend with CHIJ students and I got to know more about the culture of Singapore. Moreover, I have built up a precious friendship with them and I miss them a lot.

I am grateful for being given this unique opportunity to be the buddy of one of the CHIJ students. I have benefited a lot from this programme and I treasure the memorable experience.

Hilary Cheung 3A

Being a buddy of the CHIJ students has become the highlight of my year in S3. The twinning programme has given me a great chance to learn better English and good communication skills. I have also gained friendship and memorable experiences from it.

I used to chat with my classmates in Cantonese, so interacting with the CHIJ students in English was a big challenge for me. But still, I was able to overcome the obstacles and improve my thinking, speaking skills and listening skills in English.

Although the CHIJ students have already left, we still keep in touch with each other through Facebook. We talk about our school life, our friends and almost anything. We have a lot in common.

To conclude, I am really grateful to have taken part in the programme. It was really an unforgettable experience for me.

Stephanie Ng 3B

I really had a great time with the CHIJ girls. I have also learnt so much from them that I think the twinning programme should be organized again next year.

I am glad to have been chosen as a buddy. During the week, the Singapore girls were not the only ones who had the opportunity to learn. In fact, I got to know more about the Singaporean culture and education, too. As opposed to our local education system, the Singaporean students receive a form of education which is closer to that of international schools in Hong Kong.

Now that my newly made friends have returned to Singapore, I miss them a lot. The friendship between us is precious and special as we are living in different places. The Singaporean girls are really nice. We have exchanged our Facebook contacts and address so we can always contact each other. At the same time, they have become my pen friends. The twinning programme is indeed a memorable event that I will always treasure.

Charmaine Cheung 3A

Spending five days with the CHIJ girls was an extraordinary experience. I enjoyed taking them around the school. Some subjects such as Mathematics and Physics required foundation to understand the lesson properly, but I appreciate the teachers’ efforts in taking care of the problem for us by modifying the lesson a little. Although they were unable to participate in Chinese Language and Chinese History lessons which were taught in Cantonese, I admire the girls’ enterprising spirit and intellectual curiosity in sitting through the lessons to try out what it felt like.

Fronia Cheng 3D

When I first learnt that I was chosen to be one of the buddies of a CHIJ student, I felt honored and thrilled. I looked forward to knowing a new friend from a different country. In the four-day twinning programme, I was amazed by the talent and sound foundation in Literature of the two CHIJ students, Rachel and Kimberley.

I was one of the buddies of Rachel’s. We talked a lot about the systems and culture of our schools. We also shared with each other our hobbies and ways to spend our free time. It was quite interesting to discover that our leisure activities are very much alike, as we both live in a well developed and prosperous city. On the day of Sports Day finals, when they were about to go, all of us became very sentimental, whether we were buddies or not. It was because we had all taken the initiative to know more about them and make friends with them. We bade them farewell with sincere wishes, warm hugs and delicately made gifts, hoping that our friendship will continue to flourish.

Once again, thanks for granting me the opportunity to be a buddy of Rachel!

Leona Chen 3B

 

I have gained a lot through the twinning programme, not only in making new friends and knowing their culture but also having an opportunity to apply my personal skills. I have learnt better time management as I had to organize my time in taking care of my buddy and doing my own revision at the same time. I have also been able to apply my interpersonal skills while trying to be helpful and friendly with my buddy.

I remember that while we were doing experiments in a Biology lesson, I discovered that my buddy had already learnt about the food test when she was in S2. I was quite amazed! There are in fact many differences between the two school systems. Teachers in Singapore are strict but teachers here prefer that we learn self-discipline. After knowing this, I am grateful that I can enjoy so much freedom at school. But after all, both our school policy and theirs have advantages and disadvantages. So we should learn from each other and improve. I think the school should continue organizing the twinning programme next year so that other students can benefit from it.

Firstly, I am very glad to be chosen as one of the buddies of the CHIJ students. It has certainly been an invaluable and unforgettable experience.

Being with the students enhances my knowledge of the culture of Singapore and also their way of learning. Although it might be slightly busy for us to have to show the CHIJ students around, we were all very proud to introduce to them our beautiful school environment.

Lastly, we have had such a great time that I would love to go on a study tour in Singapore.