At YCIS Qingdao school gym, there are various national flags hanging around. Those flags are distinctive and colourful, representing YCIS students with different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. We are a leading international school for expat children, and our students come from over 30 countries and regions. A multicultural learning environment allows our students to socialise, study, and play with a broader range of students from different backgrounds. It has been a routine for every YCIS Qingdao student.

What does this multicultural environment bring to our students? How can it benefit them? Multicultural learning environments provide our students the chance to grow and give a greater perceptive of diverse cultures. They build an open outlook at a younger age. Most YCIS students will further their education journey all around the world after finishing their secondary part. Standing on a broader and international world stage, they gained a lot from the multicultural background.

Josiah Mendes, YCIS Qingdao class of 2019, is studying at Imperial College London for the third year. When he recalled his days at YCIS Qingdao, he said, “Being exposed to so many different cultures at YCIS, it helped me to be adaptable and get along with many of my classmates regardless of nationality. Unlike some of the others who stick with their nationalities and cultural groups, funnily enough, I ended up hanging out more with the Chinese, Korean, Singaporean, and other Asian students than my ‘fellow’ British students!”

Growing and learning in a multicultural environment makes students revere and understand other people’s choices and lifestyles, respecting cultural diversity and the beliefs and values of all people. With this knowledge of others, children will have a higher level of interpersonal and social skills. International Day is one of the most popular school events every year. On that day, students wear different national costumes, learn various cultural knowledge in each ‘country site’, and enjoy international cuisine.

When students confront complicated situations, they tend to solve the problem comprehensively, be more tolerant of others, and be prepared to thrive in an exponentially diverse world. Diversity is the key to creativity! Every culture has its own feature. One of the most valuable parts of a multicultural background, is to give students the inspiration and perspective to explore more.

In YCIS class, we provide a well-rounded education that combines the best of Eastern and Western cultures. We encourage students to explore further and use their imagination. We cherish their every little creative thought as it may be the opening of the future world.