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By Group Red 2S Nico Ma (29), Jessica Lui (27),
Cindy Hon (15), Jennifer Chan (1)
Introduction
P.3
School - Life
Profile of the School
Our School Life
Sharing
P.4
P.6
P.9
Adventures in America
Great America
Stanford University
Fisherman’s Wharf
P.11
P.15
P.18
Conclusion
P.20
2
This
is
an
educational
and
cultural
exchange program to Cupertino, USA. The
theme of this exchange program is ‘Unity and
Peace through Education’. We studied at the
middle schools there and lived with the
families there in order to learn more about
the American culture. We also went to many
famous places in San Francisco. We went to
the famous theme park, Great America, and
also the Stanford University, the Golden Gate
Bridge and the Fisherman’s Wharf. Let’s see
what happened in our trip…
3
Profile of the School
The name of the school which we visited is J.F.
Kennedy Middle School. It started at 8:16 in the morning
and we had six periods a day (not including the zero
period). It ends at 2:48 in the afternoon. We also had a
brunch of 26 minutes after the first two periods. After the
sixth and seventh period, we would have our lunch for 36
minutes. At last, we had our last 2 periods before the
school day ended. Some of students took seven periods a
day because there was a zero period before the first
period. Their timetable was the same every day because
they would not get confused easily.
This is the timetable of one of us.
Look! They have to go to zero period.
4
The zero period was an additional period for the
students that want to take more classes. Those students
had to arrive at school at 7:25 in case they were taking
the zero period.
One
of
our
zero
periods
was
an
orchestra class.
There are four basketball courts, four volleyball
courts and a baseball court in the school.
These are their basketball courts.
The classrooms there were not built in a block like
ours. They were bungalow which were only one-storey
high.
5
This is one of the classrooms.
Our School Life
They did not have their own classes and classrooms;
students were not formed according to class. They just
followed what subject they had chosen and then they
went to different classrooms to take their lessons. The
teachers who the ones who owned the classrooms. After
each period, students had to walk for a few minutes to
another classroom to have classes, since the school was
big.
A long way to go!
6
Why could they choose the subjects that they wanted?
Why did they have to go to different classrooms to have
classes? It was because the schools there wanted the
students to get used to the way of having lessons in the
university, so that they can acclimate easily in the future
when they are going to the university.
During the week while we stayed at the school, (16th
to the 20th of September) they were having their ‘Spirit
Week’. ‘Spirit Week’ was a week in which they had
different theme on each day. They could dress in
costumes of the theme of the day. In this year’s ‘Spirit
Week’, Monday was Crazy Hair Day; Tuesday was Disco
Day; Wednesday was Sports Day; Thursday was Tacky
Day (that means they should wear clothings which do not
match.); and Friday was Red and White Day (the clothings
of the students were mainly red and white in colour.) The
teachers
also
joined
this
function.
The
relationship
between teachers and students are like friends there.
7
Today is ‘Crazy Hair Day’, look at the teacher.
Two of us were taking the cooking lesson. They
made waffle, pancake etc. in the lessons. They made food
by themselves. They divided themselves into groups of
five to six. They enjoyed the class very much although it
was in a little messy. During the preparation, the kitchen
was messy and it was not as tidy as ours. After the
cooking, they could eat there.
The waffles were delicious!!
They were divided into groups to cook.
8
During the music lesson, they watched “Sister Art”.
From watching “Sister Art”, they learnt the songs from the
film and we thought it was a very special way of learning
music.
The students were very passionate and nice to us
because they knew we were the exchange students from
Hong Kong. Some of the girls taught us the American
style of conversation. For example, when we want to say
‘hi’, we can say ‘Hey you, what’s up?’ or ‘Hey man!’ It
maybe too rude for us, but it’s a common conversation in
America. They also helped us when we had troubles in
listening in English.
Sharing
We have learnt a lot from this school. We think that
the way they are educated is good because the ways they
are having lessons are similar to he way the university is
operated.
It
enabled
them
to
learn
the
university
student’s school life. They can wear casual wear to school,
which makes them feel very comfortable and free. This
way helps them to express their feelings and ideas freely.
9
They have a spirit week. There is a different theme every
day. This can amplify their imagination and develop their
creativity. So it makes the students more creative.
They wear casual wear to school.
We think that the students should improve their
attitude towards the teachers. They should be more polite
and should show respect to them. They should not walk
around and play while the teachers are having lessons.
On the other hand, since their books are too heavy,
they have to carry them back and forth to school every
day because there are no lockers at school. The school
should build some lockers for them. Otherwise, it will be
no good to their health.
See how thick and huge the book is!
10
Great America
The Great America is the most thrilling theme park in
North America. Its full name is “Paramount’s Great
America”.
It has 4 rides and over 10 kinds of exciting
games. It also has many shops that you can buy many
souvenirs. If you want to go next time, plan to visit when
attendance is lightest. It would be the best to visit it
during weekdays in the summer or any day during the
months of March, June and October.
Look how exciting the games
are!
11
We played many exciting games! Let us introduce
the fun and exciting roller coasters and games that we
enjoyed very much to you!
This is ‘Top Gun’. It’s our
favourite roller coaster. It soars through a 360-degree
vertical loop, two 270-degree after burn turns, a full-circle
wingover, and a zero gravity roll and there’s nothing
under your feet! It’s very exciting!
This one is ‘The Grizzly’. It
is a classic wooden roller coaster. Rugged hills and bumps
make this a great ride for everyone!
12
The orbit behind us is
‘The Vortex’. It features a 91-foot lift hill, a 360-degree
loop and weaving, twisting track that threads its way
through the eye of the loop. We stood and straddled a
bicycle-typed seat only when we rode it.
We had a fun
day and lastly we took a photo in front of the beautiful
fountain in Great America!
13
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge’s view is very beautiful. It is
one of the famous bridges in the world. It also is a classic
suspension bridge.
It has a red-coloured tower at each
end. Look at the photos!
We took many photos and we also went to the Gift
Center near the bridge. We all bought many souvenirs
from the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco gift shops.
There are many lovely souvenirs!
14
Stanford University
Stanford University is a famous university in America.
It occupies a large area. The map below shows how big it
is:
The pink spot on the map is the Hoover Tower. It is
the highest building in the Stanford University. We took a
trial on it and saw the wonderful views of the huge
Stanford University.
15
This is the Hoover Tower.
Inside the Hoover Tower.
This is a showroom in the Hoover Tower.
We can see the beautiful views of the Stanford University at the top
of the Hoover Tower.
16
We also visited the other places in the Stanford University
such as their Book store, souvenirs shop, Memorial Church,
school canteen, etc.
This is their Bookstore.
This is their library and café.
This is their school canteen.
This is their souvenir shop.
17
This is their Memorial Church.
This is their
Palm Drive. Look! There are many palm trees on the sides of the
drive.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a place full of shops and
restaurants. It’s a large area along the sea. You can get
what you want here in a good price. We went to the to the
famous Pier 39 and bought a lot of things.
This is the famous Pier 39.
18
The sea view of the Fisherman’s Wharf.
The shops along the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Look at the sunset of Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s so beautiful!
After we left the Fisherman’s Wharf, we went to the
airport and get ready for the flight back to Hong Kong.
19
After joining this trip, we learnt a lot of things,
e.g. the culture of America, the way they converse,
the clothing they wear, etc. Before we went on this
trip, we thought that they might not like us very
much. But when we arrived there, we were
surprised that the students there had been very
nice to us. They were so active in class. On the
other hand, there are a lot of similarities between
our university and theirs.
They have a lot of
society and clubs; they have a great and big shop
for students and the visitors to shop. The area of
the school is so big that we always lost our ways.
It was great that we could see a lot of places from
the
tower
at
the
Stanford
University.
The
experiences that we have got in this trip is for sure
one of the best treasures in our life. We have
known many friends from this trip. The most
important thing is we have improved our English,
too. Really, we have learnt a lot in this trip, and we
are happy that we have joined this trip!
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