interactive school maps student results international students why choose CBE? site map contact us rss feed faqs
home parents about CBE career and technology strategy Chinook off-campus daycare educational resources Encore CBE faqs fees and waivers field trips forms you need high school directory hot topics kindergarten middle years noon supervision planning and transportation preschool provincial testing programs registration scholarships school calendars school councils special education student records/transcripts student results subscribe to system messages transportation students adult high school upgrading career and technology strategy CBE library CBE self-serve password tool Chinook off-campus continuing education D2L Encore CBE international internet safety online learning programs scholarships school calendars student mail student records/transcripts student results student voice/student leadership transportation partners corporate health supports getting involved recognition vendors careers teach at CBE career opportunities compensation and benefits new employee orientation work environment and culture contact us media important message to the media news releases/psa/advisories quick facts archives staff CBE webmail D2L portal SIRS & Media 4Learning Staffroom CBE self-serve password tool

quick launch

home What's New CBE students attend youth summit in Beijing

CBE students attend youth summit in Beijing

During spring break, 28 Grade 11 students from 13 Calgary Board of Education high schools and four accompanying educators attended an International Youth Leadership Summit in Beijing.

Also during spring break, a group of CBE staff traveled to China as part of a China Study Tour. Read more.

Interviews with Students who attended the International Youth Leadership Summit

What follows are responses from Taryn, Kianna, Zarin, Anna, and Selene – five students who participated in the CBE’s first International Youth Leadership Summit to China.

Interviewer: What was the purpose of the trip?

Centennial: The purpose of this trip was to offer different global opportunities for CBE students. We attended a Youth Now summit in Macau, which aimed to empower students with the power to change, impact, and contribute to their communities, whether local or global, in a positive manner. The trip also aimed to build new relationships, develop new skills, participate as a global citizen, and create memories one will never forget.

Queen Elizabeth: Throughout the trip, students were encouraged to think globally rather than nationally and therefore expand their world views as well as expand their knowledge of global issues.

Interviewer: Why was this trip important?

Centennial: This trip was important in more ways than one. While it gave 28 Calgary students an international experience, it also provided us with valuable skills we will continue to use for the rest of our life. Many of us developed as individuals, as a global citizen, and also developed more open minded outlooks and perspectives. We each took away something different from this trip, and will go on and apply this as a newly found global citizen.

Queen Elizabeth: Going to China was extremely important because it enriched their global perspectives of the participants, as well as, motivated them to promote global change. During the YNow conference in Macau, students took part in many workshops, panel discussions and small group dialogues, where career opportunities, leadership skills, and issues concerning the environment were challenged and discussed. By taking part in these different activities, the participants became stronger global citizens.

Interviewer: What were the powerful learning moments of the trip?

Centennial: There were numerous memorable moments throughout the trip for us students. We had an amazing group dynamic individuals, which allowed us to work together and enjoy every experience we encountered to the fullest. One of the largest learning experiences was definitely seeing the great wall. It showed how vast an empire China was and still is. If ancient China was able to accomplish so much without technology, imagine what they could do with modern knowledge and proper funding. In Macao the Y Now International Youth Leadership Summit brought the most powerful learning experiences possible. Listening to those motivational speakers inspired numerous students to take action in their own communities. They spoke directly into our hearts about creating a youth culture of excellence and being the future that we want to see.

Queen Elizabeth: In Macau, there were many academic learning moments within the YNow conference but in Beijing, students got the chance to learn more about themselves outside of the classroom. After the group climbed 481 stone steps on the Great Wall, they beheld a breathtaking view of the nearby mountain range, while appreciating the challenges they personally overcame during the trip. This moment was extremely important for the Calgary youth because it highlighted the fact that their perseverance had paid off.

Interviewer: What will happen next for the students involved on the trip?

Centennial: The first thing that we CBE students said when returned home was, “Can we go back?” It was pretty clear that we all had a fantastic journey travelling through the most intriguing and exciting parts of China. Every day was filled with new adventures, difficult challenges, and new things to learn. We experienced so much and associated with many memorable people and made some valuable connections and for these reasons, all 28 of us are eagerly excited for whatever is in store for us next.

We will have a few post-trip meetings where we will discuss and explore all of things that we have learned on our journey. Through a series of journal entries, assignments, and interactive activities, our teachers will get a chance to evaluate us and how we interacted during the trip. This trip also enabled us to receive the International Certificate for our grade 12 graduating year which will prove beneficial to us when we are applying to future universities. By obtaining this award, many doors are opened for us and people will recognize the international achievements that we have accomplished.

We are all very eager to participate and be ambassadors for next year’s Y-Now summit when the students from The International School will come to Calgary, where it will be hosted. We are all very excited as we have gotten to know those students quite fondly and it would be our honour to help them explore and learn about our culture and values as we have learned about theirs.

Queen Elizabeth: Many students have returned to Calgary to find large contrasts between western society and that of the Asian societies experienced; these contrasts have motivated students to participate in their community through volunteering as well as educating others about their travels. Students have had greater exposure to international affairs, and many hope to have careers that will take them abroad. This trip has opened many doors for the students of the IYLS program and they will continue their work as leaders within their city, country and their world.

Content Moderator: Communication Services
Web Administrator: Laura Diemert
Last Modified: September 19, 2011