The BCIS community has long championed the idea of a culture-rich learning environment — recently, Elementary students explored the rich history of overseas Chinese culture at a dedicated museum, while Secondary students wrapped up their Week Without Walls (WWW) trips where they immersed themselves in breathtaking landscapes and local cultural traditions. We at BCIS believe that these immersive experiences broaden students' horizons and deepen their appreciation for culture and how it shapes our world.

Not long ago, at the Sanxingdui exhibition at the Beijing Grand Canal Museum, BCIS students explored the stories of the ancient Shu civilization. Among them was Jerry, an 11th grader who took on a guiding role for his younger peers, sharing insights about this captivating culture, who lent his thoughts about this experience with us in the aftermath.

During the exhibition, Jerry engaged the younger students by explaining various artifacts and their historical significance. His motivation for being a guide stemmed from a profound appreciation for traditional culture, sparked during a family trip to the Sanxingdui and Jinsha Site Museums in 2021. There, he was mesmerized by newly unearthed artifacts, particularly a striking three-meter-tall bronze tree that he felt had almost a life-like quality, far surpassing the realism often found in modern art.

This initial experience ignited Jerry's passion for research. On his first visit to the museum, he captured nearly 4,000 detailed photos of the artifacts and began collecting history books to deepen his understanding. His presentations during the exhibition reflected his extensive knowledge, and he expressed gratitude for the chance to appreciate and share these invaluable artifacts, especially since visiting previously required him to travel over 2,000 kilometers.

For Jerry, history, art, and culture have always been significant interests, finding that BCIS's curriculum and open atmosphere enriched his understanding and passion for these subjects. While many view learning Chinese as merely mastering the language, he discovered that the courses offered a wealth of historical and cultural insights, too. A memorable lesson on pre-Qin culture, where his teacher guided them through the "Book of Songs," helped him grasp its cultural importance. On his year group’s WWW trip to Xi’an, he also cherished informal discussions about their new surroundings and their cultural context, as these chats became treasured memories. Jerry also has appreciated the extracurricular activities set-up at BCIS, noting that students interested in cultural learning can easily initiate and organize related clubs with teacher support with ease.

His fascination with the Sanxingdui proved to be a significant influence on his MYP Personal Project, where he created a large piece of artwork based on the artifacts he had studied. This piece, prominently featuring the aforementioned bronze tree design, attracted much attention from passersby. Drawing from his research and thousands of images, Jerry dedicated two hours each day to refining his artwork, as he symbolically integrated a variety of elements from the source materials, like a disk representing nine suns and the Fusang tree, which reflected the ancient Chinese myth of the sunrise over Fusang. Additionally, he explored various interpretations of figures in the artifacts, inspired by recent excavations that revealed a bronze figure holding a phoenix, which he incorporated into his character’s design.

Upon completion, Jerry printed his artwork as a large collage and developed a series of related products, including gold-foiled postcards. His remarkable project earned him top honors in a Sanxingdui-themed creative competition organized by the Sichuan Provincial Cultural and Tourism Bureau.

Creating this historically rich artwork in just one month and developing related products brought Jerry great satisfaction, as he emphasized the importance of inspiration and the courage to express oneself throughout his journey at BCIS.

Jerry noted that BCIS's art classes differ from traditional methods that focus solely on watercolor or classical painting, instead learning to create using digital devices and explore various mediums such as oil painting, clay modeling, and plaster, allowing for a free expression of their themes. His curiosity about ancient Shu ceramic casting led him to the design and technology lab, where he experimented with creating sculptures using similar techniques. Engaging with teachers, he explored the potential of 3D printing and wax melting, which enriched his understanding and widened his perspective on techniques and modes of expression.

At BCIS, high-quality learning and teaching extends beyond the simple transferring of knowledge and facts; BCIS cultivates transferable skills like inquiry and self-motivation, enabling students to pursue their true interests with competency and confidence. The cosmopolitan education at BCIS emphasizes world-class resources and vast wealth of social opportunities, fostering a diverse global perspective rooted in Chinese culture. Through Jerry’s engaging storytelling, the impact of BCIS's commitment to education is clearly illustrated, reflecting a vibrant community dedicated to deepening understanding of cultural heritage.