- 2025-01-05
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编者按Editor's Note:
During the Christmas and New Year holidays in 2024, fifteen students, under the guidance of Mr. Xie and Ms. Ma, traveled to Tanzania to participate in a world leadership program jointly organized by SHBS and USA World Leadership School (WLS). This journey left a profound impact on both teachers and students, resulting in numerous meaningful reflections and valuable lessons.
Reflections from Mr. Xie
This trip was an extraordinary and invaluable growth opportunity for the students. They stepped out of their comfort zones and immersed themselves in experiences vastly different from their usual routines. Away from their parents, native language environment, and digital devices, they were paired with local students, sharing meals and living with host families. This allowed them to deeply understand local lifestyles and cultural traditions, while building and nurturing friendships across cultural boundaries.
Objectively speaking, this journey was not an easy one, and the students faced numerous challenges: bathing with water scooped from a bucket, using pit toilets in courtyards, and adapting to differences in language, food, customs, and traditions. Yet, seeing them navigate these challenges filled me with genuine joy.
On the second day of their homestay, I shared the following update with parents in our WeChat group:
"After witnessing the students' first night of homestay, I can say from the bottom of my heart that this experience is truly invaluable. Rarely in their lives have they had the chance to step outside their comfort zones and encounter such genuine differences."
Many so-called "eye-opening" trips often involve a homogenized form of diversity—a repetitive layering of familiar experiences with a novel or exotic twist or for "claiming" a new spot on the map. Authentic encounters with differences, especially those requiring full immersion, are inherently jarring, evoking discomfort, avoidance, or even a sense of losing control. Such clashes compel the dissolution of part of one's existing self-conception to accommodate the unavoidable presence of the unfamiliar.
This process of unlearning and relearning fosters humility, reduces self-centeredness, and broadens one's capacity for empathy. Navigating differences while constructing one’s identity is a lifelong endeavor. I am genuinely thrilled that our students faced this level of challenge in a supportive, warm, yet non-negotiable setting.
Reflecting on my own childhood, I recall my parents forcing me to harvest rice during a summer vacation in eighth grade. I resisted entirely, refused to participate, and left after just one day with minimal takeaway. These students, however, were on their own, without parents to rely on, and stayed for five full days. I believe they will reap significant rewards. Even for those who may have resisted internally, such experiences will plant seeds that will grow throughout their lives.
So, I genuinely feel happy for them and wanted to share this joy with the parents.
By the third day of the homestay, the challenges of cultural differences began to cause emotional clashes and moments of discomfort. Several students expressed frustration and unease. These moments, however, became prime opportunities for reflection and growth. We arranged a session with just our students, conducting an in-depth debrief and sharing our perspectives, especially on the concept of embracing "differences" and how cultivating the ability to accommodate the "other" within oneself is a critical leadership quality.
I emphasized that while we are not here to glorify hardship or romanticize suffering, we must recognize that our way of life is just one among countless possibilities. Many others grow up in vastly different environments, with unique needs and perspectives on the world. While such notions may seem universally agreeable, few truly grasp their depth or significance. This trip provided students with the chance to experience and internalize these truths firsthand, making them a part of their very being.
To conclude, I wish for the students to maintain humility and an openness to renewal throughout their lives, as expressed beautifully in Zhu Xi's poem:
Half an acre of a square pond mirrors the sky,
Clouds and shadows linger together on high.
Ask how it stays so crystal clear?
It flows from a fresh and living source.
Fragments of Students' Reflections
Each day during the journey, student leaders would guide everyone to reflect on their experiences. Here are some fragments:
Klay
While having lunch on the mountain, my apple fell out of my lunchbox. Ms. Mag asked me to pick it up, clean it, and eat it, explaining the environmental impact if it were left behind. After lunch, Ms. Noa and Mag checked every lunchbox, saving leftovers to share with others. This taught me the importance of avoiding food waste.
Aria
In Tanzania, everyone has their own religious beliefs, yet these religions coexist peacefully. Muslim believers join Christian friends in celebrating Christmas, and Christians participate in their Muslim neighbors' festivals. I think the world could learn from such harmony.
Martina
My biggest growth was learning to say "no" to things that made me uncomfortable, even in culturally different settings.
Regis
The NGO for people with disabilities amazed me. They achieve self-sufficiency through their efforts instead of relying on government aid. It’s inspiring, and I hope more people join in empowering them with better opportunities.
Jack
The Maasai lifestyle is incredibly eco-friendly. They use mud and cow dung to build homes, and cowhide for bedding and shoes, minimizing their environmental impact.
Jerry
Before coming to Tanzania, I felt nervous and scared of this unfamiliar country. Once here, I was deeply touched by the friendliness of the people. I’ll cherish the bond I’ve built with my local buddy.
Bob
My host family was warm and passionate about life. When I faced difficulties, they taught me to look at challenges positively rather than complain.
Celestine
In Shanghai, we have "small families." In Tanzania, I experienced the warmth of "big families" where relatives frequently gather and support one another.
Evelyn
I built a deep bond with my host family. We stargazed and hand-washed clothes together—precious memories for me.
Harry
The natural scenery, wildlife, warm people, and cultural traditions left a profound impact on me. The trip brought both cherished memories and tough challenges.
Joanna
Host student Joan encouraged me by saying, "Queens never cry." I learned to better control my emotions and gained a deep friendship.
Yino
Local students, whether 18 or 14 years old, get along very well and harmoniously, demonstrating a strong sense of community.
Qianlang
The hospitality of the locals deeply moved me. Despite material scarcity, they maintain a positive and optimistic attitude toward life.
Richard
This trip shattered my stereotypes about Tanzanians. I came to appreciate their warmth and their passion for football, which deeply resonated with me.
Aster
I am grateful for this journey to Tanzania! If I could summarize my feelings in one word: "fulfilled." In two words: "completely fulfiled."
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