从课堂到领事馆｜“环游地球80天”之对话阿根廷 Engaging Argentina

When the world map in textbooks turned into real flags in the consulate hall, and exotic cultures on the screen became vivid stories from a diplomat’s lips—our interdisciplinary inquiry project “Around the World in 80 Days” arrived at its most special stop this spring: the Argentine Consulate.

For this dialogue, the students of SHZS had prepared thoroughly. In CCA courses like Spanish, they learned basic expressions and cultural backgrounds of Spanish-speaking countries. In interdisciplinary classes, they explored Argentina’s history and geography. So when they walked into the consulate, the encounter felt natural.

Led by the diplomat, the students visited the consulate’s working environment. The once-imaginary “diplomatic scenes” became tangible: daily communication, cultural exchange, and the delicate, real connections between nations. “Cross-cultural communication” turned from an abstract concept into a living, ongoing way of work and life.

Then the consulate staff’s presentation gave Argentina a vivid outline: from vast natural landscapes to deeply rooted football culture; from passionate tango to warm daily life and eating habits. The country gradually came to life through the diplomat’s storytelling.

What truly deepened the experience was the conversation between the students and the diplomat. They turned their classroom learning and curiosity into concrete questions: about career choices, cultural understanding, and future possibilities.

When asked why he chose to become a diplomat, his answer was simple but sincere: love for his country and a desire to bring its culture further abroad. When speaking of the skills needed for cross-cultural communication, he mentioned not just language, but the ability to understand differences, an open mind, and the courage to build connections in unfamiliar settings. Even in a lighthearted question—”If you could go back to elementary school, what would you most want to learn?”—he mentioned math and computer science: one for clarity of thought, the other for the language of our times.

These real-life insights turned “global vision” from a slogan into a direction that can be understood and imagined, leaving a lasting echo in the children’s hearts.

The next experience added warmth to the children’s memory. As they entered the dining area and continued to experience Argentine lifestyle over the aroma of mate tea, learning naturally extended beyond the classroom. In South America, drinking mate is a social activity—people sit in a circle, share one cup, and drink in turn, symbolizing unity and friendship. It also becomes a symbol of breaking down barriers, passing on friendship, and letting bonds grow deeper with each sip.

In our “Around the World in 80 Days” project, we always uphold the educational philosophy of “Excellence and Balance, Oriented to the World.” The best classroom is always on the road; the most vivid education lets children experience the world’s diversity and beauty firsthand. Through such experiences, the children gradually realize that they are future participants in China’s dialogue with the world—using language, testing understanding, and answering curiosity.