Students Explore Shanghai and Belize Over Spring Break

April 10, 2018

One of the most unique and exciting aspects of the Léman experience is the opportunity to travel on cultural exchange and academic trips during Spring Break each year. This year, 19 students took advantage of these exclusive trips to Belize and Shanghai, where they developed their language skills, experienced new cultures and environments, and enhanced classroom learning.

Two Léman students, 11th grader QiHan Zhao and 8th grader Joao Rezende Barbosa, along with Science Department Chair Bill Livingston and students from EF Academy in Westchester, traveled to a marine research station in San Pedro, Belize, one of the largest and most thriving coral reefs systems on the planet. This was a special opportunity to experience and learn about one of the earth's greatest and most bio-diverse ecosystems, one that faces threats on all sides. Students stayed at Tropical Research and Education Center and were led on daily snorkeling trips to study aspects of reef ecology and surrounding social issues by Dr. Ken Mattes. Every day, there was more to see and learn on the reef. The IB students on the trip were able to collect data on various Internal Assessment and Extended Essay topics to implement going forward in classroom studies and assessments.

17 students traveled to East China University in Shanghai for a cultural exchange trip. While in Shanghai, the students participated in culture workshops in traditional Chinese crafts and artwork, tea ceremonies, and cooking, as well as visited museums including the Shanghai Museum, the Xian Tian Di Museum, and the China Art Museum, and visited cultural landmarks in the ancient water town of Qibao. They had a chance to practice their language skills in the famous Nanjing Road market and participated in a community service project at a local nursing home.