By Lydia（张曦月） from Class 2401

Dear teachers and students, Good morning!

I’m Lydia from Class 2401 . It’s my honor to be here to share my insights about“  What We Can Learn from Other Cultures. ”

Culture isn’t something distant — it’s part of our everyday life, hidden in rituals and habits, waiting to be discovered. Behind the food and manners of different countries lies deep cultural meaning.

Take the Japanese tea ceremony idea of “ ichigo ichie ” — which means “ every moment happens only once. ”Hosts and guests treat each tea gathering as a unique,never-to-be-repeated event. From carefully cleaning the tools to pouring water with precision, every step is done with sincerity and focus. This reminds us to treasure every meeting and experience — to be fully present. It makes me wonder: Do we often ignore breakfast time with family? Do we sometimes only half-listen to our friends?

Reflect upon those chilly winter evenings: a gentle illumination, gathered  with family, sharing confections — absent of phones and homework —simply relishing a peaceful moment. For students like us, always busy with exams and assignments, this is a gentle reminder: slow down, and you’ll feel the warmth of life. These small moments teach us more about life than textbooks ever can.

Learning from others doesn’t mean forgetting our own roots. Underneath different customs, people everywhere value similar things — love, gratitude, and remembrance.    

In  Mexico, during the  Day of the  Dead, people mourm with flowers and food to honor those who have passed away — it’s joyful, yet full of emotion. Similarly, in China, we sweep tombs on Qingming Festival and remember our ancestors during Dragon Boat Festival. Different traditions, same heart.

Today our world is deeply connected. Learning from other cultures isn’t about becoming someone else — it’s about becoming a better version of ourselves. Learning to cherish each moment like “ ichigo ichie, ” to care like “ Ubuntu, ”— these values will help us appreciate other cultures while staying true to who we are.

I believe that if we stay rooted in Chinese culture while embracing the world, we can grow into confident, open-minded young people — ready for the future!

Thank you!