In the second week of the school holidays, a group of 22 students, alongside Mrs Hartland, Ms Bell, Mr Williams and Mr Benge, embarked on a truly transformative journey to China as part of the Global Youth Ambassador Programme (GYAP). Over two remarkable weeks, our ākonga embraced every challenge, every opportunity, and every cultural exchange with curiosity, respect, and a deep sense of aroha.
St Ignatius College students return from an unforgettable experience abroad.
From the moment we touched down in Shanghai, our students demonstrated the Ignatian values we hold dear: courage, leadership, service, and reflection. Whether mastering the art of soup dumpling etiquette, the discipline that is involved with seal engraving, or helping Chinese students learn rakau, our students were outstanding ambassadors for Aotearoa New Zealand and for our Catholic kura. They are all now experts with chopsticks, too!
We began our adventure at an international youth camp in Zhangjiagang, where students took part in an array of cultural, linguistic, and sporting activities. They learned calligraphy, seal engraving, Chinese painting, sand art and kung fu. They played intense games of badminton and table tennis, and navigated daily life in 38-degree heat with good humour and resilience. Each evening concluded with reflections and the Examen — a moment to pause, give thanks, and grow spiritually.
One highlight was a trip to Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East.” Whilst in Suzhou, our group wandered the ancient canals, explored temples, marvelled at the Lion Grove Garden, and practised their Mandarin with market stallholders. This was an opportunity to explore "Old China" before we moved to the modern delights of Shanghai. Suzhou was like stepping into a living postcard — everywhere we turned, there was striking architecture, ancient temples, traditional costumes, the sound of music and bustling streets, the smell of food cooking, and the constant honk of scooters weaving their way through the crowds. It was an absolute feast for the senses
The students also took part in leadership-building activities and contributed to a beautiful final performance at the camp’s closing ceremony. They danced, sang, and led a powerful haka that brought our hosts and many of us to tears. Throughout the journey, they consistently showed kindness, manaakitanga, and maturity. One camp director shared that the majority of the parents of the local Chinese students had phoned in to commend our tamariki on their helpfulness and grace.
After farewelling our generous hosts, we travelled to Shanghai for sightseeing and shopping, navigating the bustling streets like seasoned travellers. We visited famous landmarks such as The Bund, Yu Garden, and the Oriental Pearl Tower, as well as adventures in bartering at the AP Markets — where our students proved impressively assertive negotiators! Another massive highlight was the day spent at Shanghai Disneyland — a magical reward after a week of growth and learning. We arrived at 8.30 am and stayed til the very end - leaving the park at 9.45. The "Tron" ride, the "Roaring Rapids", "The Pirates of the Caribbean" and the 15-minute firework and light display on the famous Disney Castle are experiences that will remain with them forever.
At every stage, this trip offered moments of reflection, joy, personal growth, and unforgettable connection. From shared meals around a lazy Susan to spontaneous outdoor pilates sessions under the stars, it was an experience that shaped our young people in profound ways.
We will be offering this opportunity again next year and hope to make it an annual tradition. We are working on the details now and hope to get that out to the community as soon as possible.
