Yang Mei Senior High School (YMHS) and Corner Canyon High School (CCHS) Strengthen Their Partnership

In the world of education, the global exchange of knowledge and culture is a powerful tool for fostering understanding and forging lasting connections. Yang Mei Senior High School (YMHS) in Taoyuan City, Taiwan and Corner Canyon High School (CCHS) in Utah, United States, have exemplified this concept beautifully through their ongoing partnership, which recently received a fresh boost.

On September 23, at 10 PM, pioneering educators from these two schools came together for a virtual meeting via Google Meet. Among those in attendance were Jessy Silva, YMHS's Foreign English Teacher from the Philippines; Huii Sung, YMHS Bilingual Program Chief; and Patty Chung, the Chinese Teacher at CCHS.

The central agenda of this meeting was to discuss the continuation of their monthly virtual exchange meetings for this school year. Last year, the schools successfully conducted a similar exchange program, where YMHS students shared aspects of Taiwanese culture, such as the Moon Festival and Calligraphy, in English. In return, CCHS students shared insights into American culture in Mandarin Chinese, alternating these cultural exchanges every month.

One exciting topic of discussion was the possibility of onsite exchange visits. YMHS students were planning to visit the United States from September 26 to October 5. This cross-cultural immersion promises to further enrich their educational experience and deepen their understanding of each other's worlds.

Huii Sung also introduced the "Culture Box Initiative" at YMHS, a program designed to send cultural artifacts and educational materials to partner schools. CCHS was delighted to be one of the recipients of this initiative, which will undoubtedly enhance the cultural exchange between the two institutions.

Patty Chung, representing CCHS, shared several engaging topics for future virtual language and culture exchange sessions. These topics included driver's license lessons at the age of 16, an elective class on guitar making, insights into homecoming dances and proms, and a glimpse into the joys of Teachers' Appreciation Week.

In the spirit of collaboration, both schools agreed on the topics they would present in the upcoming months. For September, YMHS students will delve into the fascinating world of sky lanterns. In October, CCHS students will shine a spotlight on the vibrant world of cheerleading. November will see YMHS students sharing the rich cultural heritage of Hakka Lei-Cha, and December will conclude the year with CCHS students passionately discussing American football.

The participants in these exciting exchanges will include Taiwanese Class 102 and 202 at YMHS, while CCHS will be represented by 26 enthusiastic 10th-grade American students. To accommodate the time zone differences, the virtual meetings will be held once a month from 10 PM to 11 PM in Taiwan time during September and October. However, from November to December, the meeting time will shift to 11 PM to 12 AM, taking into account the daylight saving policy in the United States.

Though Teacher Appreciation Week and Prom will be reserved for the next semester, these initiatives are sure to further strengthen the bonds between CCHS and YMHS. It's also worth noting that the last day of school in the United States will be on May 30.

In conclusion, the partnership between Corner Canyon High School and Yang Mei Senior High School is a shining example of how education can transcend borders, enrich lives, and build lasting connections between cultures. This collaborative effort between Taiwan and the United States stands as a beacon of hope and unity in an increasingly interconnected world.