“Houston, we don’t have a problem.”
CTBC Students Return from Their Overseas Houston Camp
Written by Mr. Wilmott
Summer has begun and although it would be nice to reflect on the year that has passed, there is something a little more interesting to share. We’ve had a group of young scholars just return from Houston. Five grade nine students from CTBC Academy in Tainan: Gigi, Tini, Nathan, Megan and Jessie, two from the Taipei campus as well as two chaperones from the CTBC Business School. By all accounts, they had a great time. I could describe it second hand but let’s hear what Tini Wang had to say:
We spent three weeks in Houston, which was filled with enriching experiences, such as classes and enjoyable activities. A couple of days ago, we visited a place similar to the Taiwan Chinese Center, where English was taught by a foreign teacher who had a great sense of humor. Our focus was on learning grammar and engaging in various English games to enhance our language skills. Additionally, we explored several museums checking out the art, natural science, and history, all guided in English.
Personally, I particularly enjoyed the historical museum tour since I had studied some of these topics in Mr. Torrance’s Social Studies class before. The tour brought it to life for me. The detailed explanation by the tour guide about Hitler’s intentions, the Jewish perspective, and the resolution was captivating. Apart from museum visits, we also toured an Indian temple guided by an elderly Hindu gentleman who explained Hinduism practices with clarity and reverence. They even generously shared Indian pastries and informative books on Hinduism.
Throughout our stay, we visited amusement parks, beaches, and numerous shopping centers, with two standout experiences being playing mini-golf with a putter crafted by golf legend Tiger Woods and taking in a cowboy show, a unique sight not common in Taiwan.
That’s not all. We also visited three prestigious Ivy League schools in Texas, where former students served as guides, offering insights into foreign universities and diverse campus cultures. Contrasting Taiwanese universities with those abroad, we noted the open accessibility and layout differences. Our activities also included group presentations on renowned American supermarkets and department stores, adding a fun and educational element to our trip. The itinerary was indeed diverse and educational, leaving me eager to explore more chapters of “The World” in the future.
What an incredible experience for our students!
We are very excited to make this a regular experience for those who are adventurous and want to put their English to the test!
Congratulations to all students on another fantastic school year. Enjoy your summer vacation and we will see you in September!
