For adults and children of all ages, lockdown can lead to a perception that the world has closed in. To assist with the transition back to life ‘before lockdown’, The Scots College’s Coordinator of Student Experience, Mr Jeff Mann has been working in partnership with Professor Yong Zhao’s network, YEE Education, to organise a voluntary opportunity for Scots’ boys. Through an e-pen pal initiative, Senior students correspond with a student in China or Argentina for one month with the aim of expanding their cultural understanding.

How did this Partnership with YEE Education Arise?

Professor Yong Zhao is a foundation distinguished professor in the school of education at the University of Kansas and a professor in educational leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. He has been invited on several occasions as a guest speaker to consult and advise College staff and parents at many ScotsIdeas and professional development events, and has provided a range of valuable insights as Scots continues to reinvent education.

We have since been involved with Professor Zhao’s education network – YEE Education – by taking a group of students to China on a cultural and entrepreneurship learning experience in 2019.

Why e-Pen Pal?

“I wanted to create an opportunity for students to connect interculturally even from their own room. We do not require travel in order to meaningfully connect and collaborate across countries and cultures,” explains Mr Mann.

We look forward to continuing this partnership with Professor Zhao and, eventually, sharing the results of this culturally innovative project which invites meaningful connection through the use of technology.