From November 9 to 15, 2025, three faculty members at YCCECE led 29 students on a seven-day study tour to Shanghai and Suzhou, centered on the theme "Inter-School Learning and Cultural Co-Education in Child Development." The itinerary included visits to multiple kindergartens, international schools, and teacher training colleges, integrated with local cultural experiences. This allowed students to deeply understand the educational philosophies and child development models shaped by the cultural contexts of both regions through observation, dialogue, and practical engagement.

Immersion in Campus Life, Experiencing the Lingang YCYW Ecosystem

Upon arriving in Shanghai, the group stayed in the student dormitories and dined in the student canteen at Yew Wah International Education School (YWIES) Lingang, offering a first-hand campus living experience and initiating an immersive learning journey. The following morning, the faculty and students visited the Lingang K-12 campus, including its kindergarten and infant/toddler education center. They gained an in-depth understanding of the comprehensive and professional educational services provided for children aged 0-18 in the Lingang area, appreciating the systematic and coherent nature of YCYW‘s curriculum design and environmental planning.

Entering Diverse Campuses, Observing Curriculum Practice and Cultural Integration

Subsequently, the team visited Yew Wah International Education Kindergarten (YWIEK) Shanghai Biyun, observing up close its integrated curriculum characterized by outdoor free play. Students freely interacted with children in the spacious outdoor areas, personally experiencing the essence of "learning through play." Next, the group visited Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Shanghai (Ronghua Campus), gaining deeper insight into how the YC approach and its 12 values are integrated into daily teaching and school culture, reflecting cultural integration and value transmission within an international education context.

In Suzhou, the team visited Suzhou Early Childhood Education College, engaging in profound exchanges with local faculty and students on topics including teacher training, internship arrangements, and inclusive education. They also conducted on-site observations at Blossom Kindergarten and Gaotie Xincheng Kindergarten, experiencing firsthand how different types of kindergartens implement environmental design and practices of cultural co-education.

Engaging with Cultural Settings, Broadening Educational Horizons

Beyond the visits to educational institutions, students explored the Humble Administrator's Garden and Pingjiang Road Historic Street, contemplating the potential influence of Jiangnan garden art and traditional neighborhood culture on children's aesthetics and social identity. During their time in Shanghai, students also independently planned cultural exchange activities, further broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding of the integration of education and culture in the Yangtze River Delta region.

"At YWIES Lingang and YWIEK Biyun, I witnessed what it truly means to be 'child-centered'—children freely exploring in spacious environments, teachers using open-ended language to encourage inquiries, and a bilingual setting making every child feel accepted. During a storytelling session, the cozy seating and the teacher's engaging narration created an atmosphere where children felt safe to express themselves, deeply impressing me with the importance of emotional support in early childhood development," shared a Higher Diploma student.

"After visiting YCIS, I realized what a truly diversified kindergarten looks like. Each class has children of different nationalities, allowing them to see a broader world, make more friends, and understand how peers from different cultures live. The school is filled with various teaching materials—everything is usable. There are toys that spark children's innovation and everyday items like flour. All these enhance children's enthusiasm and initiative, allowing them to learn knowledge through practice and play, not just from books," remarked an Associate Degree student after the visit.

"Our day at Suzhou Early Childhood Education College was both eye-opening and inspiring. In the art class, we learned to create beautiful flowers using strings through different techniques. The teacher's open-ended questions sparked our creativity. In the dance class, the use of rhythm and repetition allowed children of varying abilities to participate easily. This teaching approach, which respects independence and encourages collaboration, along with the ample teaching resources, makes me excited about my own future classroom," said a Bachelor  student.

Through this study tour, students not only accumulated rich cross-school observational experience but also gained a clearer understanding of how cultural contexts shape child development pathways and educational practices. Everyone agreed that this was an immensely inspiring learning journey, infusing them with increased motivation and inspiration for their future careers in early childhood education.

YCCECE remains committed to promoting cross-regional and cross-cultural educational exchanges, encouraging students to step beyond the classroom, and to learn, reflect, and grow in real-world settings, ultimately becoming educators with global perspectives and cultural sensitivity.