In a vibrant display of cultural exchange, Marlborough was proud to welcome 66 students from Beijing’s prestigious RDFZ School for a visit on Friday, January 24. This meaningful gesture of international collegiality and international friendship was organized by our World Languages Department thanks to their close partnership with the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. The day left a lasting impression on both school communities, strengthening cross-cultural understanding between American and Chinese students.
The highlight of the day was an awe-inspiring performance in Combs Gym, where RDFZ students showcased their artistic talents through dance, music, and martial arts. Eager to welcome students from his home country to Los Angeles, Chinese Consul General Mr. Guo Shaochun attended the performance, welcoming the RDFZ community to Los Angeles and expressing his gratitude to the Marlborough community for hosting such a special event. His presence reinforced the diplomatic significance of such educational partnerships.
“It was incredibly touching to see the Chinese students’ amazing performance,” reflects Joy Cho, Marlborough Chinese Instructor. “As someone who grew up in China, it reminded me of how important it is to share this beautiful culture with the world.” The Marlborough community responded with unbridled enthusiasm, demonstrating for our visitors what World Languages Department Head Andréa Fuentes calls “Marlborough love,” as students warmly embraced—literally and figuratively—our international guests.
The cultural exchange went beyond mere performance and featured meaningful student-to-student interactions. Marlborough’s Chinese-language students led campus tours in Chinese, demonstrating their language skills in a real-world context. During one class period, RDFZ students were paired with Marlborough students to experience American classroom culture firsthand, creating opportunities for authentic exchange and friendship building.
The power of the visit resonated deeply within the Marlborough community. Ms. Fuentes reflects, “Experiences like this bring language learning to life, and I’m so proud of how our students rose to the challenge. This event also allowed our community to come together and celebrate Chinese language and culture as we approach the Chinese New Year.” Chinese Instructor Fei Li furthers the importance of experiences like this one and notes, “Some of my 7th-grade students in Introduction to World Languages are talking to me about wanting to continue with their Chinese-language learning throughout their Marlborough career, in large part because of their experience with the visitors from RDFZ.”
RDFZ’s Head of School Ms. Liu was particularly impressed by Marlborough’s campus and educational approach, noting the personalized touches in each classroom that reflected the teacher’s personality and the subject being taught. The sentiment was mutual, as RDFZ students shared their joy at their visit and the warm welcome they received.
The success of this cultural exchange has sparked enthusiasm for future international connections. As Ms. Fuentes observed, “This celebration brought Chinese language and culture to life, creating an experience I am certain many of our students will remember for years to come.” The event not only enhanced language learning opportunities but also fostered genuine cross-cultural understanding and friendship.
The visit exemplified the power of educational exchanges in building bridges between cultures and inspiring young people to explore and appreciate global perspectives. As students parted ways, they carried with them not just memories of performances and classrooms, but the foundation for lasting international friendships and cultural appreciation.
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Photo by Dinah Y. ’25