A trailblazing exchange programme has been established between Shenfield High and a school based in the Jiangsu province of China.
The school to school exchange link is one of the first ever set up in the United Kingdom and 16 students from Shenfield High have already travelled out to spend a fortnight visiting No. 6 Middle School in Suzhou and experiencing Chinese culture.
Now the students are looking forward to hosting visitors from Suzhou later this year as part of the joint agreement which is designed to encourage an understanding of each other's cultures and values.
Graham Batt, who travelled on the trip alongside colleague Liz Ladd, said: "It was a life changing experience for the students. They are much more open to other people's ideas and philosophies now."
During their stay the students visited the Great Wall of China, the Mao Zedong Mausoleum, the Forbidden City and many famous palaces and gardens.
They also wielded chop sticks to sample delicacies such as duck's brain, sheep's hoof, fried silk worm and pig's ear.
Even severe rain storms could not dampen the spirits of the students as they came face to face with a very different culture.
Mr Batt said: "They dealt with the challenges they faced with communication and culture and overcame them."
Suzhou, located in the Taihu Lake Basin, is the most prosperous part of the Yangtze River Delta. It lies more than 120miles east of Shanghai and is a famous cultural centre with a history stretching back more than 2,500 years.
Mr Batt said: "The families they stayed with were incredibly welcoming. Despite language difficulties students made a massive effort to get on with each other . This was what made the exchange such a success."
The exchange builds on longstanding links between Jiangsu province and Essex County Council.
Five years ago students from Essex, including pupils from Billericay's Mayflower High, travelled out to China and a delegation of Chinese teachers visited the county earlier this year.
Shenfield High is one of five schools across Essex which have been charged with developing projects with schools in Jiangsu.
Published Thursday August 12, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article