We may broaden our horizons and learn new things by being exposed to diverse cultures. It’s especially crucial throughout school-age children’s growth because they’re taught tolerance, understanding, and sensitivity to cultures other than their own.

Hong Kong is a cultural melting pot. It’s a well-balanced mix of East and West. While many Chinese traditions are still alive and well in Hong Kong, there is still a strong interest in Western culture, particularly during the main holidays.

 

In mainland China, on the other hand, traditional Chinese culture is the primary cultural focus, despite the fact that western culture is constantly developing.

Students in Hong Kong’s foreign schools have a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures firsthand. They will almost certainly make friends with students from all origins and will be exposed to a wide range of traditions and customs. Because Hong Kong students come from such a varied range of ethnicities, English is the most commonly spoken language in these classrooms. Bilingual youngsters not only acquire greater reading and writing comprehension, but they also have improved health and brain function, according to studies. Children who attend International Hong Kong schools will graduate with a considerably higher level of English literacy than students who attend a Mainland Chinese school where they will not be exposed to as much conversational English.

 

Hong Kong’s East-West fusion may be sensed in all aspects of the city, including holiday customs, languages spoken, cuisine available, and even the arts. In this article, we’ll look at five reasons why cultural diversity exposure is so crucial for children.

 

1. Creating a Culture of Resilience

Children who are exposed to a variety of lifestyles and perspectives learn that there are multiple perspectives on the world.   This teaches them that people can think and feel in a variety of ways, and that no one approach is right or bad. The more youngsters see and understand that life can be tackled from a multitude of perspectives and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the better equipped they will be to deal with changes in their own lives and thrive in a range of situations.

 

2. Increasing adaptability

Children who are exposed to a variety of views learn to consider issues from multiple perspectives. This is especially important in an age when youngsters are exposed to dangerous ideas and negative thinking through social media. They will be less receptive to these detrimental messages and more flexible with their own thoughts if they have the ability to appreciate the complexities of life and the fact that many competing concepts can hold water at the same time.

Flexibility will also aid them offline, allowing them to better negotiate the highs and lows of life and avoid making automatic negative judgments about themselves and others.

 

3. Developing a Sensitive Mindset

Children who are exposed to cultural variety at a young age are taught general social awareness. They will be more likely to engage with persons who speak diverse languages later in life.

International schools in Hong Kong provide children with the opportunity to engage with people who look and speak differently than they do. These “differences” become normal to the children, who develop tolerance and widen their perspectives as a result. This enables them to be more receptive to new ideas. Because the world is made up of so many different cultures, young people need to be exposed to these distinctions in order to accept and appreciate those who are different from them. Youngsters appreciate and value other children from various cultures the more they engage with them.

According to the findings, young children will copy others regardless of the language used. Children are eager to learn, and by immersing them in culturally varied activities, they gain a better understanding of different races, faiths, languages, and ways of life. They will become global citizens and will have a greater understanding of social signs. They will have the confidence to make numerous friends and feel at ease in a variety of situations later in life.

 

4. Get Ready to Succeed

Children will be better prepared for success in their chosen careers once they graduate if they have the confidence to feel at ease in a range of settings. They will be able to incorporate those attitudes well into adulthood because they have previously learned to collaborate with others regardless of race or religion. They will get along with a variety of coworkers and may even be able to pursue employment in other countries because they will be open to learning about new cultures and ideas.

 

5. Experiencing the World in a New Light

International Schools in Hong Kong help youngsters to experience the world through new lens because the city is such a melting pot of cultures. Their view of the world is enhanced and coloured brighter by sampling a friend’s dish that they are unfamiliar with, or learning about a new festival, or even the roots of particular religious practises. Exposure to new experiences allows youngsters to better explore the world, making it a far more interesting and exciting place to live.

We are proud of the cultural diversity among our students at Hong Kong Coding Club. We feel it is in our best interests to raise a generation of open-minded, adaptable, and compassionate adults.

Please contact us if you’d like to learn more!