Trips for International Experience TIE

After a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fuhua relaunched its Trips for International Experience (TIE) Program in 2024. This unique initiative is designed to nurture global leaders by developing students' 21st-century competencies (21CC), with a focus on global awareness, cross-cultural skills, and sensitivity. The program aligns closely with the CCE 2021 Intent to help students:

• Understand Singapore’s ties with Asia and the Southeast Asian region.

• Recognize how Singapore’s cultural heritage has been shaped by diverse influences.

• Appreciate the cultural and economic interdependence between Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries.

• Foster civic consciousness by considering Singapore’s connection to the region and the world.

In 2024, Fuhua successfully established a strong partnership with Tungmahamek School in Bangkok, Thailand, marking an important milestone in our international engagement efforts. The TIE Program offers students opportunities for learning beyond borders, where they can establish friendships and build networks with like-minded peers who share a passion for sustainability.

The program begins with virtual exchanges, such as a Chinese New Year cultural sharing with Thai peers, allowing students to develop an appreciation for diverse traditions before embarking on an overseas learning experience. During the trip, students participate in cultural immersion activities and collaborate on global issues such as sustainability. They also engage in hands-on learning with their Thai peers, including making flowers using pandan leaves, learning about food production in farm, and discovering the process of rice cultivation and Thai methods of cooking. Students also enjoy traditional Thai cuisine, deepening their cross-cultural appreciation.

Additionally, students share their creative projects they embarked in school such as solar-powered lamps, designed to promote eco-friendly practices and raise awareness about sustainable energy solutions with their counterparts. These projects encourage students to think creatively and apply their knowledge of sustainability in real-world contexts. By designing and showcasing such practices, students not only reinforce their commitment to environmental responsibility but also learn how innovative solutions can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. This hands-on experience fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their ability to make a positive impact to the world around them.

As part of post-trip, students continue their engagement with their Thai counterparts through online exchange, deepening their understanding of sustainable practices while reinforcing connections to the Primary 5 Social Studies curriculum. By integrating pre-trip preparation, hands-on cultural immersion, and post-trip reflection, the TIE Program equips students with the skills and mindset to navigate in an interconnected world.

Through structured and sustained engagement, Fuhua’s TIE Program offers students meaningful cross-cultural experiences that go beyond the confines of a single overseas trip. This ongoing learning experience helps students to develop an appreciation for regional diversity, encouraging them to embrace different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. By exploring Southeast Asia’s rich cultural and social landscape, students also gain a deeper understanding of Singapore’s pivotal role in the region, both historically and in the present day.

By empowering students with these essential skills and experiences, Fuhua’s TIE Program not only nurtures global awareness but also fosters amongst students a sense of responsibility and purpose. It equips students with the tools to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world, where they can lead with empathy, creativity, and a commitment to sustainability. In doing so, the program aims to cultivate a generation of responsible global citizens, ready to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world.