Building Global Competence Through Partnership: Hopkins at Yali-Peicui School

In March 2026, students and teachers from Hopkins School traveled to Changsha, China, to visit our sister school, Yali-Peicui School. Since establishing this partnership in 2017, the exchange has grown into a meaningful collaboration that directly supports student learning, cultural understanding, and global engagement.

During the visit, Hopkins students were fully integrated into the academic life of Yali-Peicui School. They attended classes alongside their Chinese peers, participated in discussions, and engaged in collaborative learning across subjects. A central component of the exchange was the homestay program. Hopkins students lived with host families, experiencing daily life in China in a way that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting. 

The program also included hands-on cultural experiences that deepened students’ understanding of Chinese traditions. In calligraphy and martial arts classes, students learned through active participation rather than observation.

According to Modern Language Department Chair and Chinese teacher Lan Lin, equally important were both the informal and formal moments of connection between the Hopkins and Yali-Peicui students. “Through conversations, shared activities, and time spent together both in and out of school, students built relationships that extended beyond language,” she said. “This partnership exemplifies the kind of experiential learning that prepares students for an increasingly interconnected world.”