February 12, 2026
In December 2025, a group of teachers travelled to Beijing for the Chinese Immersion Trip. Here is what one of the participants, Selma Dancy from Orewa College experienced:
Our 2025 professional development journey to Beijing, supported by the Beijing Language and Culture University, was an unforgettable and inspiring experience. Each day offered new opportunities to use Mandarin in real-life contexts and to deepen our appreciation of Chinese culture through hands-on learning and exploration.
The trip was filled with memorable highlights, but few could top actually walking on the Great Wall of China — and the absolute smugness of telling the story of riding a luge down from it afterwards! The laughter, excitement, and shared sense of learning made it an experience none of us will ever forget.
Hands-on sessions in tea appreciation and the traditional tea ceremony, as well as paper cutting, calligraphy, and oil painting, provided creative and memorable ways to connect with Chinese traditions and gave us a deeper understanding of Chinese artistry and beauty in everyday traditions.
Another standout moment was our visit to a truly impressive Chinese primary school, where we were warmly welcomed by hardworking and friendly teachers and students. Their enthusiasm for learning and pride in their school left a lasting impression on us all.
A true strength of the trip was the wonderful mix of participants. We were especially lucky to have part of our group being native Mandarin speakers, whose warmth, knowledge, and encouragement greatly supported the confidence and learning of non-native participants.
Thank you all for being part of my learning journey. We return home feeling incredibly grateful, inspired, and more connected to the culture and language. I know we are all motivated to share our new knowledge and experiences with our students and colleagues. Tài gǎn xiè le Tui Tuia and BLCU, for such a remarkable and joy-filled professional learning adventure!
