Recent Events
Beyond borders, students discover cultures through shared stories
Students from Apeejay School, Model Town and Burundi come together virtually to share folklore, traditions and creative expressions
Stories and traditions often tell us more about a culture than any textbook can. They offer a glimpse into how people live, what they value and the customs they pass down through generations. Bringing this idea into the classroom, Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar, connected virtually with its partner school, Cubahiro International School, Burundi, under the British Council project, Global Narratives: Shared Roots, Diverse Voices.
The interaction brought students from two different countries together to explore their cultural identities and learn about each other’s traditions. With folklore, artefact making and story narration forming the central themes, the exchange offered an opportunity to understand how cultures can be different yet share common values.
Exploring cultures through creative expression
During the virtual interaction, students shared glimpses of the activities they had undertaken as part of the project. Folklore allowed them to explore traditional narratives, while artefact making brought an artistic dimension to their understanding of cultural practices.
Story narration was another important aspect of the exchange. Through these activities, students had the opportunity to present elements of their own cultural heritage while becoming familiar with traditions from another part of the world.
The interaction encouraged them to look beyond geographical boundaries and appreciate the diversity of customs, stories and artistic expressions.
Learning beyond geographical boundaries
The project also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural understanding in education. By exchanging ideas and learning about unfamiliar traditions, students were encouraged to respect perspectives different from their own.
Such interactions make cultural learning more meaningful by allowing students to engage with experiences beyond their immediate surroundings. They also help young learners recognise that differences in language, traditions and customs need not prevent people from connecting.
The virtual exchange reflected the central idea of the project: celebrating diversity while recognising the shared human experiences that connect communities across borders.
