The ELA student lounge came alive today as students and staff gathered to celebrate World Culture Day, a vibrant event showcasing global traditions through food, performance, art and storytelling.

All General English (GE) students took part in the celebration, which followed a week-long project designed to broaden cultural understanding. Importantly, the countries assigned to each class were deliberately chosen so that students explored cultures different from their own, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and engage with new perspectives.

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The project began on Monday, when ELA Senior Teacher Daniela Ritchie visited each GE class and teachers selected countries by drawing names from a hat. Students were then divided into groups, each focusing on different aspects of their country’s culture – including food, travel, dance, art, performance, history, and key facts.

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Throughout the week, classrooms were filled with energy as students researched, created and rehearsed. By Friday, their work had transformed the student lounge into an immersive cultural exhibition. Displays featured videos, posters, handmade flags, traditional clothing, and performances, alongside a wide array of international foods.

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Countries represented included Bhutan, Mexico, Peru, Ethiopia, Greece, Germany, and Turkey, each brought to life through creative and interactive presentations. Visitors enjoyed tasting dishes such as salsa and corn chips, olives, Turkish delight, baklava, German sausage, and pretzels, while also experiencing dance performances and cultural demonstrations.

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Students embraced the opportunity to go beyond research, with many designing costumes, practising choreography, and preparing authentic foods. The project not only developed their language skills but also helped them gain a deeper appreciation of cultures around the world.

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“The atmosphere today was incredible – there was such a positive energy, and everyone was fully involved,” said Daniela Ritchie. “It’s definitely one of the best events we’ve seen. The teachers put in a huge amount of effort, and what stood out most was seeing students come up afterwards, excited to share what they had learned about their countries. That showed how meaningful the experience really was.”

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At the same time, a group of visiting students from CityU Hong Kong, who had been working separately, focused their project on Māori culture. They brought the event to a powerful close with a haka performance, adding a strong local cultural element to the global celebration.

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World Culture Day highlighted the diversity within ELA while fostering curiosity, respect, and connection among students. By learning about cultures other than their own in such an engaging and hands-on way, students strengthened their intercultural understanding – a key part of the ELA experience.

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