Giving Context to Global Issues Via Career Advice for High Schoolers

Education in China relies heavily on exams -- To succeed in the system, students often memorize what they are taught without true understanding, a method called ‘rote learning’. This phenomenon can be observed in all schools across the spectrum, jeopardizing the long-term benefit of education and the future success of students in a globalized economy. 

In the hopes of addressing this challenge, Melton Fellows from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou have partnered with Hangzhou Foreign Language School (HFLS), one of the best high schools in Hangzhou. The school was chosen because the students are more prone to accept new ideas and make changes of their own.

The team uses career advice and information on university programs as a vehicle to pursue wider goals. Shen Yandi, coordinator of the project, says:

“Our short-term goal is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of each major, so that they can be more prepared in choosing their majors and also compete for a better university. Our long-term goal is help them realize global issues and inspire them to deal with those issues with their knowledge and skills.”

Working closely with HFLS teachers, the Fellows plan to offer presentations and workshops roughly once or twice a month for the students. The first presentation introduced the students to the topic of globalization. Next up is a session on how computer science and the internet have rapidly transformed the world, which will also touch on issues of privacy and quality of information. Sessions on design, finance, mathematics, foreign culture and history will follow in 2015.