赴美國加州Cupertino交流訪問紀實
學務處林秀芳主任
啟程
105年10月29日本校雙語部及國中部15名學生以及新竹市所屬中學20名學生組成的交換學生訪問團由本校黃芳芷校長、雙語及中學部主任以及新竹市府課督率領下前往舊金山灣區的Cupertino市進行八日的交流訪問。期間獲得該市兩位亞裔市議員、姐妹市交流協會的5位會長以及35個的寄宿家庭熱情的接待。
學校參訪及入班觀摩
Cupertino市為全美科技重鎮，此地有六成以上的居民為亞裔。在一週的交流訪問中，學生依年段安排三天時間到Fremont
High School和Lawson Middle School兩所中學入班學習。行政教師則被邀請參訪Freemont
school Districtc和Cupertino School
District兩個學區，聽取學區督學分享教育政策的推動及討論姐妹市學校可進行的實質交流內容。我們也實際進入學區辦學優異的幾所學校觀課。此行一共參訪了Deanza
Community College 了解該校紮實的大學轉銜課程；Lawson Middle High
School觀摩該校使用平板電腦於課程教學；Miller High
School成果優異的英語及中文雙語浸潤式教育；Holzmyer Elementary School麥氏小學觀摩全加州知名的CLIF
program (California Language Immersion Program) K-5,
使用注音符號自編教材實施雙語教學；Freemont high
school聽取該校校長說明該校實用的選修課程設計；Montavista High School參訪該校優質的教學設備與環境。
機構參訪
交流協會為我們安排參訪科技機構，包括Cisco System Inc及
American Portwell Tech Inc.
受到公司熱情接待及聽取專業說明，使我們充分感受該機構對教育的支持與用心。此外也帶領學生到Google及Apple商店參觀公司的新型產品。此次交流也拜訪當地市議會及市議員，了解當地行政組織與架構。
結語
Cupertina與新竹市因城市發展及城市居民組成結構相似，而締結成姐妹市。感謝姐妹市交流協會的會長長期無私的貢獻，特別是此次提供本校多數名額，讓本校師生得以在兩市成為姐妹市後首次參加這趟有意義的交流活動，走出校園走入世界，開創視野增廣見聞。
M202周德佾
下了飛機，站在舊金山國際機場簡潔明亮的空間中，我深吸一口氣，讓冷冽的空氣平復心中的不安和躁動。
從一開始的不熟悉、陌生、緊張，到最後一天的依依不捨，一個禮拜的時間，已經全部被珍貴的回憶填滿。我在這裡體會了截然不同生活，不僅僅是學校教育的不同，家庭相處的方式、飲食、生活形態，一切的一切都跟台灣非常不一樣。在台灣，放學後大部分的學生都是去補習班或是回家唸書，但美國的學生卻是參加運動校隊或是一些課外的有趣的比賽，假日時也是去住家附近的室內運動館play
sports
，跟我認識的台灣學生截然不同。他們學校的午餐跟台灣比起來自由許多，有些人甚至午餐只吃洋芋片，在台灣大部分的國中的午餐還是所謂的營養午餐。因為地大，去很多地方都是開車，二三十分鐘已經算很短的車程，也因此，他們的日常生活圈比我們大了許多。這些是我覺得跟台灣人的生活最不一樣的地方。
能得到這個機會，看看不一樣的地方，認識不一樣的人，我非常感激。在這趟旅程中，我不只得到美好的回憶，更獲得了跟同齡人相較之下更為寬闊的視野。我相信，這一趟旅行只是開端，它不會在我步出桃園國際機場時結束，我會帶著這獨一無二的經驗，用全新的角度，繼續體會這個世界。
M205 阮楷泰
在這次去美國Cupertino的外交小尖兵計畫，我體驗到很多與臺灣不同的文化。Cupertino有非常多的華人與印度人，他們多是美國矽谷的高科技人才、知識份子。我的寄宿家庭是從臺灣移民的美國公民，他們就是在矽谷工作的高科技人才。而這些高科技的公司、產業，更影響了當地的學校教育。在當地的學校，大多數都讓學生使用Ipad上課，這次去的LawsonMiddle
School 更是這樣。它的地點就是位於Apple Company的旁邊。學生們都用Ipad上課，且是用Google
Classroom。他們的老師把作業功課都上傳至Google
Classroom，用紙筆的次數、頻率都很少，課本也是一代一代的從以前的學生傳到現在。我覺得這個上課方式十分環保、友善環境。
學校中有很多華人與印度人。印度人的文化在學校也很濃厚，像是這次去的時候，有他們的小過年Diwali節。很多印度人都穿著傳統服飾，十分有趣。在課堂中也有一些關於印度的文化、藝術。還有，他們是以跑堂的方式上課，每一節都可以認識不同的人，老師也可以比較了解班級的事務。考試也非常少。這些不同我覺得是很好的，希望臺灣可引進這些教法，也希望可以再有這樣的機會去美國!!
M202 吳瑾函
去美國一週，最讓我感受到不同的是學校制度及上課方式。他們不像台灣是分班，他們的上課制度是跑堂，就是每堂課都有自己的專科教室，同學也都不一樣，感覺很像大學。這讓我感到很新奇，因為從小就是習慣有一間固定的教室和一群固定的同學了，我覺得美國這種制度也不錯，老師們會比較熟悉自己的教學環境，而且這樣每堂課都可以交到不同的朋友，認識更多人。
上課時，大家都是課本和平板並用，不過課本不是自己的，而是一屆一屆傳下來、已經用了好幾年的，平板則是拿來查資料和做功課的。這種上課方式好有趣，也很環保，老師要發學習單給大家寫時，只需要放到網路上就可以了，不用印給每人一張，課本也不用每個學生一本，省下了無數張紙。
這一趟旅程讓我的視野擴展許多，感謝學校給我這個機會，這真是個又充實又難忘的經驗。
M205 林芷誼
想起一個夜晚，我在遊覽車上與他們揮手，那不是招呼，是道別。
事情回朔到幾個禮拜前，我與印度國籍的寄宿家庭第一次相見，他們高舉牌子熱情的歡迎我，讓我感覺一點也不陌生，雖然花了幾天的時間來適應他們的文化，但這並不影響我的旅程。在Cupertino，我體驗一年一度的萬聖節，要到了不少糖果，比起這個，多采多姿的學校生活再令我難忘不過，從一開始戰戰兢兢的心情到後來的豪放不羈，這讓我認識不少同學，我們甚至去參觀一些企業與學校，增廣我許多視野。
在離開前一天的Farewell
Party，大家一起隨著臺灣民俗歌謠跳兔子舞，熱鬧的氣氛，讓著個似夢非夢的旅程做了一個漂亮的結尾!
很感謝學校和父母讓我有這樣的一個機會去感受異國風情，期待明年將要接待他們的日子，經過這次活動更是拉近我們與Cupertino之間的距離。
M204侯尹媗
這是我第一次去美國，見識到許多新鮮事，也讓我了解到美國到底是怎麼樣的國家。真的跟台灣有好多不同的地方喔!
第一，我發現到在Cupertino這個城市，容納了好多不同的人種，經過了我一個星期的觀察後，發現在學校裡絕大多數的是黑人!再來是亞洲人，包括中國人、日本人、韓國人和(非常稀少的)台灣人，倒是本地的美國人非常非常的少見，這讓我有點驚訝。他們還有所謂的「亞洲美食節」耶~在超市看到的。
第二，我們去的這段時間巧遇萬聖節，我才知道原來美國的萬聖節都是這樣過的: 我和我的host student
經過一番“盛裝打扮”後，跟著她挨家挨戶的要糖果，每一家還真的都有準備糖果來迎接要糖的小朋友，有些鄰居會在家裡親自迎接小朋友，有些則是將糖果放在家門口讓我們自己拿。回到家覺得滿滿收穫，桶子真的很重、很滿呢!
第三，跑班真的讓我印象深刻，每節課跑不同的教室，接觸不同的學生，好自由。也不會擔心甚麼老師不會準時下課，因為老師絕不會晚下課，更不用擔心會被記警告之類的。就像我爸說的:「美國那邊的小孩子都會自動自發，自己安排自己的生活，功課都不用別人盯。」在我與我的學伴相處的這幾天，我看她一回到家就回到自己房間，隔天老師交代的作業都完成了。這是我回國後應該要多學習的部分。
Cupertino Student Exchange Program:
Reflection
IBSH 10B Justin Chen
Going to Cupertino was like going
back home--but this time, I was an exchange student representing
Hsinchu City. It was pretty interesting, experiencing the things
I used to take as granted as a visitor. From trick-or-treating
for American candy, to the countless Target visits, and stuffing
my mouth with fries at In and Out, I was able to fill up gaps on
my knowledge of American life, and relive my childhood. Being a
visitor also gave me some special rights. I was able to tour
tech companies, and get detailed explanations on what𠏋 going on
behind-the-scenes of major industries in Silicon Valley. Touring
the assembly line at Portwell Technologies opened my eyes up to
amount of cooperation needed to make something. Visiting the
quality control plant of Cisco showed me the mind-boggling
amount of steps needed to put a product on shelves. Learning
about the history of Intel at the Intel Museum taught me how
much this company has changed throughout the years.However,
these elements were not what made the most lasting impression on
me. The school we went to, Fremont High School, was great,
especially the class schedule. The schedule is very nice there,
because with the exception on Monday, each class is attended
every other day, for example, Math is only on Monday, Tuesday,
and Thursday. Also, on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, there is 40
minutes of 焅lex Studies,?which is basically study period. It is
perfect for doing homework, or asking teachers questions. Also,
homerooms are not a thing there, so students can roam freely
before and during classes. That also means that students can
arrive to school late, if their classes start late, and they can
also go home early, if they do not have a last period. I think
this allows students to manage their time wisely, and it also
allows them to be free more. I have to admit that the lunch at
our school is better than the one in Fremont. Overall, the trip
was rewarding, and I learned a lot from it.
IBSH 9A Sunni Lin
An American dream visited. Memories
resurfaced. Conscious piqued. Upon stepping on the sturdy
pavement of San Francisco after a long flight, something settled
within me with the feeling of home. I had signed up for the
Cupertino exchange program with the sole intent of visiting and
frequenting the famous sights of the country I haven㦙 set foot
on in more than eleven years. What I didn㦙 know, however, were
the transformation and inspiration I would come to receive. The
people, camaraderie, and food; the Silicon Valley, sights, and
generosity were among others imprints etched into my mind
forever.
Throughout the eight-day trip, I
traversed across the state of California along with my host
family and fellow Hsinchu students to the San Francisco Opera
House, the Bay Area, the Silicon Valley, Stanford University,
Big Basin Redwood Forest, and more. Every ensuing step I take
brings me to more and more discoveries of the American culture,
attitude, geography, astounding talent, and ultimately, its
wholesomeness. The trip enabled me to fall in love with the
creamy richness of American food-- fries, calamari, pasta, ice
cream--, the Victorian Californian architecture, desert-like and
flat topography, renowned San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and
Pier 39, and most of all, the absolute amicability of the
Americans and their tight bonds established day to day. The
school system is also fascinating where student- teacher
involvement make education very inclusive. A collective mass of
talent, love, dreams, and hope, there is no doubt of the United
States?power and prowess. Locally, the beautiful, autumn trees,
diverse yet integrated mindsets, and the ultimate aspiration to
improve for the better of California constitute the land where
beautiful things transpire and blossom.
This program has taught me so many
things I haven㦙 dreamt of when boarding the plane on Saturday
night. I envisioned a vacation; I received a meaningful
education. I learned independence; I was taught that to succeed
warrants hard work and unswerving perseverance; I witnessed the
peaks and troughs of life. I am more aware of where I want to be
at and the lengths I have to strive to attain my dreams. My
appreciation extends to my wonderful host family, the Brosnahans,
my own family, and America. I cannot requite what I have been
given, though I surely will work harder to bring to my family
and Taiwan sturdy respect and recognition. A mind taught. A trip
remembered. A soul inspired.
IBSH 9A Aaron Yuan Chen
Time flew during my one week stay
in California, the Golden State. The seven of us, who were
tasked with the job of being ambassadors of Taiwan were part of
the 33 students who, accompanied by teachers and principals,
signed up for the trip that we would never forget. I had tons of
fun during my sojourn in Cupertino, but I also learned many
things about life in America. First of all, I was fascinated by
the way the educational system worked in the United States
because it was so much different than what it is here in IBSH;
students had to move around the campus every block to find their
respective teachers instead of staying in their own classrooms
waiting for the instructor to come in. This difference has
definitely made a lasting impression on me since it allowed me
to experience an educational system that is vastly different
from what it is here.
In addition to the knowledge I
received of how high school worked in the United States, I also
learned how fun worked. Indoor Skydiving. I must say that was
the most exhilarating activity that I have ever done in my life.
Gusts of wind shot up from the turbines below and propelled me
into the air, sending me well above 30 feet above the floor; I
loved the fun and laughter that resulted from the euphoria of
the activity. In addition, the companies that we visited were
also major highlights of our trip. We visited leading
technology-based companies such as Google, Cisco, and Intel.
From these company tours, our tour guides were able to expound
upon the values and doings of their respective companies; this
enabled me to envision what the life of an engineer is like and
how each company plays an important role in society.
All in all, I enjoyed my stay in
the US and hope to visit the country again sometime in the
future.
IBSH 10B Wesley Yang
I decided to participate in this
exchange student program because I wanted to get a taste of
American school life while I am still young. I have lived in
Taiwan for most of my life, so I thought it was silly to not
take the opportunity to step away from my usual life. I also
wanted to revisit my hometown that I left when I was very young,
since it was going to be my first time returning to California
in 12 years. After the trip, I can positively say that this was
indeed a very special and interesting experience for me. I
learned a lot about America, especially the environment in
Fremont High School. The similarities and differences between
this school and our school in Taiwan managed to surprise me at
times. The biggest difference is that there are much more
students in the school than what I am used to, so the student
community is more diverse in its classes and activities. I got
to attend some their classes, and I realized that our curriculum
is very similar to theirs. For example, they were reading the
same book I was reading at the time for English. In addition,
their schedule system works differently than ours. They end
school earlier than us, but they also start school earlier on
some days.
I also enjoyed the interactions I
had with my host family, they were very generous to me and I
sincerely appreciate their willingness and care during my stay.
They took me to several attractions in California, such as the
piers in San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. I also got to
spend Halloween with them, and I participated in trick or
treating for the first time in my life. One of the highlights of
the trip was the guided tour to Silicon Valley, where we visited
many big technology companies such as Cisco and Apple, and in
some cases actually went inside to see their work environment,
such as their offices and also their manufacturing processes in
the factories. The Intel museum we visited was also interesting
in its own right, and there were a lot of hands-on exhibitions
that really helped me discover more about how computer chips
have shaped our technology-dependent world today.
Although the program was only a
week long, there is no doubt that it was the best week I had in
a long time; it was truly the perfect way to relax after
finishing the midterms. I wish I could go again.
