I was fortunate enough to enroll in IG’s Global Perspective course, which proved to be an eye-opening experience in cross-cultural understanding. The course offered numerous research and activity opportunities that allowed me to expand my social skills, interpersonal connections, and knowledge. Participating in the Traditional Clothing Day initiative was a valuable lesson in teamwork and multicultural communication, reaffirming my belief that cultivating a global perspective is crucial for personal growth and broadening one’s horizons.
—Dora Zhang
Requirements for this group project
We need to form a group of 2-6 people and choose one of the eight topics by ourselves, from Conflict and Peace, Language and Communication, Poverty and equality, Water, food and agriculture, Tradition, culture and identity, Sport and recreation, Disease and Health and Human rights. Under this general theme, the team has to determine the points that we hope to focus on, conduct research, and finally present the results.
Our project
Traditional Clothing Day is the eventual activity that we decided to present, a bold and extremely risky decision. Among the four G2 students, except for Dora, the backbone of the team, who is a member of the student council, the other three have seldom participated in school activities, let alone any experience in organizing activities.
In the global perspective class, except for Coco, who grew up with me, I did not know almost anyone else. At first, Coco and I wanted to go together as a team, but the teacher soon suggested not to form a team of 2, 3, or 6 people, so we hesitated. But Dora took the initiative to find us and invited us to join her team. In the end, coco and I formed a team with Dora and Christine. The initial worries dissipated after meeting them. Dora is gentle and responsible, while Christine is relaxed and fun. We soon started chatting together and finally decided on “traditional clothing” under the general theme of Tradition, culture, and identity.
We discussed the project framework and tasks. I made a questionnaire about students’ enthusiasm and understanding of traditional costumes. With the help of friends, 120 people filled it out.
We applied to the school for permission to hold Traditional Clothing Day and got a positive response. The approval process was bumpy due to conflicts with other school activities, event time changes, and delayed formal approval. Despite the uneasiness and anxiety, Mr. Cunliffe’s support encouraged us to continue preparing activities and video content.
As the event approached, our class became more serious. Coco worked on making posters and roll-ups, while Dora focused on revising manuscripts and perfecting plans. Even Christine added information to the video. With the motivation to win, I started drafting emails to 6 teachers from different countries about traditional costumes. Though I was worried about disturbing them, three teachers replied to the next day, including my geography teacher, Mr. Reid. He provided a detailed introduction to traditional clothing in the UK, which helped in writing our video speech.
On the day of the event, I wore traditional Chinese clothing. There were very few people at first, and even though my friends complimented me on my outfit, it did not improve my confidence. But as the event progressed, people began to gather around, including teachers and classmates, and we were heartened by their support and curiosity. Mr. Cunliffe also came, wearing traditional British clothes. He introduced us to a boy of the same grade, showed us his clothing, and put them on for Mr. Cunliffe, attracting more onlookers. Indian teacher Ms. Sarkar came to the event venue wearing gorgeous clothes on a cold winter day to support our activities.
After the activity, although we were not able to get most of the school to participate in our activities, it was far better than what we had expected.
I want to end with the simplest “I am very grateful…I have learned…”, but I really can’t find the words to accurately describe my mood, nor can I simply regard this experience as a kind of learning. I got to know two very good people that I may never have contact with. I saw my friend’s artistic talent again. I wore new Chinese clothes for the first time. I held a school event as a member of a team for the first time. There were so many first times, some that I think I would not have experienced without them, without this subject. As an “atypical nerd” who believes in “rote memorization”, this may be the first time that I had truly jumped out of book knowledge, stepped out of my comfort zone, and truly experienced and felt.
Finally, I just wanted to say: “Thank you, all of you.”
On the day of the event, I wore traditional Chinese clothing. There were very few people at first, and even though my friends complimented me on my outfit, it did not improve my confidence. But as the event progressed, people began to gather around, including teachers and classmates, and we were heartened by their support and curiosity. Mr. Cunliffe also came, wearing traditional British clothes. He introduced us to a boy of the same grade, showed us his clothing, and put them on for Mr. Cunliffe, attracting more onlookers. Indian teacher Ms. Sarkar came to the event venue wearing gorgeous clothes on a cold winter day to support our activities.
After the activity, although we were not able to get most of the school to participate in our activities, it was far better than what we had expected.
I want to end with the simplest “I am very grateful…I have learned…”, but I really can’t find the words to accurately describe my mood, nor can I simply regard this experience as a kind of learning. I got to know two very good people that I may never have contact with. I saw my friend’s artistic talent again. I wore new Chinese clothes for the first time. I held a school event as a member of a team for the first time. There were so many first times, some that I think I would not have experienced without them, without this subject. As an “atypical nerd” who believes in “rote memorization”, this may be the first time that I had truly jumped out of book knowledge, stepped out of my comfort zone, and truly experienced and felt.
Finally, I just wanted to say: “Thank you, all of you.”
- Article / Judy Chang
- Pictures / Christine, Coco, Dora, Judy
