Immersion in cultural education
BOARDING schools offer students a well-rounded education in a unique way. Students of Epsom College in Malaysia (ECiM) are privy to such opportunities, in line with the school’s mission to provide academic, social, sporting and cultural opportunities in the pursuit of a balanced education.
Culture, in particular, is an inescapable social aspect of boarding life. In interacting with fellow students of different backgrounds, students are exposed to the rich cultures of many different communities and countries.
In a melting pot of cultures such as Malaysia, this focus can greatly impact a child’s interaction with others and help shape his world view.
It is important that students are exposed to the variety of cultures in the world, especially in an international boarding school where they interact, learn and play with peers from various backgrounds.
“We live side by side with others in a supportive and busy community, but unless we understand, appreciate and tolerate others, we will tend to focus on differences that can lead to tension,” says Martin George, headmaster of ECiM. “Through cultural immersion we start to see similarities and this helps us to generate an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated.”
With up to 90% of Senior School students in in boarding, ECiM emphasises creating a family environment within a school routine by fostering a strong feeling of belonging and sense of community.
It is therefore essential that students understand each other’s differences in order to better see the similarities. This dispels prejudice and ignorance while teaching young people to treat those around them with inclusiveness and tolerance.
ECiM actively espouses the importance of culture through school-wide activities such as International Day. This is a day dedicated to celebrating the language, history, music, dance, attire and food of many cultures around the world. There are also themed meal days where students are treated to various dishes of different cultures.
Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas and other festivals are celebrated and respected by all. Collective times such as assemblies are sometimes used as lessons on cultures, and staff and pupils alike lead arts, crafts and cultural events. This overall positive celebration of different cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs encourages cultural immersion among students.
Beyond societal benefits, however, cultural immersion also plays a part in enhancing the educational experience.
“There is no doubt that teaching children to think laterally helps in all-round education – they learn to engage with the unfamiliar, be inquisitive and look for answers. These are critical skills in a modern education,” says George.
Cultural immersion is most importantly about unity, which is greatly enhanced by understanding that we are as similiar as we are different. Seeing how others dress, think, worship and live heightens the sense of community, thus bringing students together as one large family.
George echoes this sentiment on a larger scale too, saying, “If we can do our part in generating cross-cultural unity while celebrating diversity then it will surely be of benefit to the world.”
For more information, visit www.epsomcollege.edu.my