are studying at Wangfang Senior High School -- an event that left both sides wanting to explore each other's culture more. The six students are from Finland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Japan, and briefed the Jingmei students about the culture and people of their countries.
The student from Denmark said that in his country, people do not have to pay to attend school, and students under the age of 18 are entitled to a monthly subsidy that is equivalent to NT$7,000 to NT$28,000.
The Danish student also observed that in Denmark, students do not wear uniforms or attend morning flag-raising sessions, which Taiwanese students are obliged to do every day.
The student from France said of his country that elementary students do not have to clean their classrooms, a chore that is left to special custodians hired by the school. This contrasts with the practice in Taiwan elementary schools, where students clean their classrooms every day.
The foreign students showed photos and presented other materials about school life in their countries, at times prompting their Taiwan counterparts to exclaim in consternation, amazement and delight.
The Jingmei students reciprocated by making their own presentations -- playing the traditional instrument, "ocarina," and the folk game of diabolo, "Cherling," also known as the Chinese yoyo. The Taiwan students also performed an aboriginal bamboo stick dance, and asked the foreign students to dance with them.
Lin Su-wen, education assistance director of Jingmei Elementary School, lauded the exchange program.
"We expect that by engaging in this type of program, students will gain a better understanding of other cultures and broaden their horizons," she said.
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