About the Host School
The objective of the school is to provide modern, unique, high quality and world-class education to its students; the school educational philosophy is to lay the foundation for the students’ whole life and take responsibility for the future of the nation; the school aims are pursuing excellence, leading the ethos and broadening the mind; the school’s goal for students education is to create all-round development of the students. The school advocates people-oriented, scientific-standard and development-promoted cultural management, continuously explores “self-management, self-education and self-development” moral education, and pursues the theoretical and practical method for merit teaching system in which most effective teaching results could be achieved in the least time.
The school has a lot of modern equipment such as 10Mbps Ethernet and a lap-top for each of its teachers. The modern Sports and Arts Center has a Ping-Pong hall, basketball and volleyball courts, and music, drawing , and dancing studios. The school’s library can accommodate 1400 students.
Since the end of 1980s, the school has been research oriented and experimental in its education. It has been honored for its advanced education system and moral value system. At the beginning of the 21st century, the school has received honors such as the Standard Model School of Jilin Province, the National 5.1 Labor Day Award, School of Traditional Athletics, and Educational Experimental School.
About the A Level & IB Centre
The Changchun Centre opened August 20th with 105 students enrolled between the ages of 16 to 18. The Centre boasts start of the art resources such as modern labs equipped with laptops on a lovely picturesque campus.
Lifestyle
Life can be laid back in the young city of Changchun, the city of "Eternal Spring." The summers are pleasantly warm , while the winters, though cold, offer a variety of cold weather sporting options. Transportation is quite cheap, and the city is about 1 1/2 hour flight from Beijing. You can take a break on a day trip to picturesque Moon Lake Forest Park, which covers over 200 square kilometers. Culinary adventrues abound as well- due to the Korean influence, the local cuisine is a fusion of Chinese and Korean food, with some exotic ingredients such as bear paw, deer and snow toad!
Teacher Case Study
Paul Devonshire, Centre Principal, Shidafuzhong International Centre, Changchun
I come to Dipont Education with 17 years teaching experience and an Honors Degree in Education from the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, where I was “Top Graduate” in Chemistry, Physics and Education. I have extensive experience as a teacher for Gifted and Talented students, and as a Head of Science for 9 years. I also have taught in the International arena as an IB DP Biology and MYP Science teacher in Saudi Arabia.
My role at the Centre is very busy-with my responsibilities as a Principal, IB Coordinator and teacher. My job is challenging but the students are some of the best I have ever encountered in my career. Another benefit to working for Dipont is the structured professional development offered. I have the opportunity to lead an enthusiastic team setting up a new international curriculum in a new environment and it has been a challenge to extend myself professionally, as well as personally while experiencing living in a different culture.
The lifestyle in Changchun is very different from that in Australia. I have enjoyed learning about the culture and I take Chinese lessons twice a week, provided free by my school. As a foreigner in Changchun, it is not uncommon to have the attention of 100% of the people on the street. I have found the people here exceedingly friendly and gracious in their curiosity about foreigners.
The city itself is lovely. The air is clean and is not polluted by Chinese standards, trees decorate every street. I have a beautiful top floor apartment with a nice view and I have very much enjoyed watching the seasons change the cityscape.
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Student Case Study
Blanche, Changchun Centre
When did you start at the A Level/AP Centre and how would you describe your experience there?
I started the A Level program this summer. When it comes to the life here, to be honest, it is a little bit different from what I have imagined. It is not easy to study a kind of foreign course even though we may have a talent for English. Also, it is a bit hard for us to accept a lot of knowledge and try to revise it every day. However, it can be the first challenge we need to overcome and it is pretty good to live with our classmates and friends. I remind myself to be patient and just go ahead, and I will get good grades. In this program, you can never forget that time is everything.
What are the benefits of you personally in studying in this programme?
The benefits are many and various. Nevertheless, in my opinion , the most significant advantage is that I have learnt a lot about how to make my own schedule. Besides the former thing, I have learnt that how to make myself get more interests in every subjects. For example, we had better introduce what we have learnt into everyday life and be brave to ask teachers for help.
What are/have been the challenges for you personally in studying in the programme?
The big challenge is also about the time. How do I arrange the knowledge efficiently and how do I make brilliant progress in a short time? Otherwise, as a student in the A Level program, I am not only facing the A Level courses but also the TOEFL test or SAT test during such a short term.
What do you think your plans are for university/college?
I think my plans motivate me a lot. Though there is only one famous university I would like to go to, I have determined to spend a lot on it. I am trying better every day. I believe better is the best!
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