The Global Citizen Day aims to immerse students in the rich diversity of world cultures, ignite their creativity and collaborative spirit, and foster deeper inter-grade collaboration through the House system. By integrating academic learning with experiential practice, this event guides students to explore global cultures while cultivating a strong sense of teamwork and global citizenship.

At the start of this semester, Grade 6 and 7 History classes and Grade 8 Geography classes launched project-based cultural exploration under the Global Citizen Day theme. Students from the same House group—consisting of three classes with the same class number across Grades 6, 7, and 8—were assigned a cultural region to study. They conducted in-depth research on that region’s cuisine, traditions, and artistic expressions and created a variety of cultural displays. Building on this classroom foundation, students collaborated further to set up food and craft booths, develop creative marketing strategies, and promote regional goods and delicacies—all while raising funds for the Middle School’s Service Learning Programs.

After weeks of dedicated preparation, the Hsi Building LG1 was transformed into a vibrant “World Expo” on the afternoon of May 8. The venue showcased cultural booths, historical exhibits, interactive activities, and displays brimming with global flair. Organized by House, this year's layout fostered meaningful connections across grades, enabling students to better understand and appreciate each other’s work and experiences.

On the day of the event, students carried Global Citizen Day “passports” as they traveled between the Hsi Building LG1 cafeteria, atrium, and lecture hall. At each cultural booth, they collected stamps, immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and tastes of different cultures. Along their journey, they were warmly welcomed by the event’s beloved mascot, Globey—a heartwarming globe character who inspired students to reflect on what it means to be a global citizen. Meanwhile, student booth leaders took turns presenting their displays, serving guests, and marketing cultural items, gaining valuable hands-on experience and communication skills.

The event also received tremendous support from parents. Parents set up a special charity sale booth, and many more parents assisted in preparing and decorating classroom booths. Their active involvement set a positive example and greatly enriched the overall event experience. The Middle School extends heartfelt thanks to all parents for their unwavering support!

In addition to the engaging booth activities, students enjoyed three cultural performances in the lecture hall. These performances, all originating from Social Studies coursework, featured traditional dances, indigenous storytelling, classical music, and multilingual songs and speeches. The diverse and captivating program showcased students’ creativity and cultural understanding developed through classroom learning.

One of the most meaningful aspects of Global Citizen Day was the spirit of giving. When reflecting on the connotation of global consciousness, most students emphasized the importance of helping others and protecting the planet. As part of this mission, all 29 Grade 8 Service Learning groups presented booths or posters highlighting the outcomes of their yearlong projects, connecting their themes to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Students from Grades 6, 7, and 8 cast votes for the SDGs they cared about most, directly influencing how the event’s charitable funds would be allocated—setting the course for the next stage of the school’s service learning journey. Several Grade 8 service learning groups—including Artistic Media, Goodball, Katadog, Medishine, SciAcademy, STUSOC, PRIMO, Tales for Tomorrow, Tutoring Group, Hi Buddy Spectrum Dialogue, Gazette, and Indigo—actively participated in the charity fair during Global Citizen Day. The MFP group organized an open mic performance, adding a vibrant artistic touch to the event. Through their actions, students demonstrated compassion for others and a strong sense of social responsibility.

We extend sincere gratitude to every parent, teacher, and student who made this event possible. It was through your passion and teamwork that this celebration of culture, compassion, and commitment came to life. Through this colorful global journey, students not only deepened their understanding of the world’s rich diversity but also experienced the power of unity in shaping a shared future.

Written by Xu Qinyou, Guo Lei, Dustin Sharp

Pictures by Xu Jing, Tian Lijiao, Li Haolin, G8 Photography Group  

Videos by Guo Lei

Edited by Luo Cong

Reviewed by Shen Tianyuan, Shen Chenli, Luo Cong