Traf Voices

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• Learning Beyond Borders: How the World School International Forum Transforms Students

  12/18/2025
  Patrizia Fanzone
  Version française ci-dessous
  
  Each year, a delegation of three students and one teacher embarks on an experience that stretches far beyond travel, sightseeing, or cultural exchange. The World School Committee from Kanto International Senior High School in Tokyo, Japan, invites representatives from a network of twenty schools from around the world to discover what it truly means to learn in a global community. For Patrizia Fanzone, French and Spanish teacher, Languages Department Head and Trafalgar's World School Coordinator, the learning that takes place is nothing short of transformative. 

  
  

  World School was founded in 1997 on the philanthropic vision of Mr. Masaki Matsudaria, the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kanto School. He believed that, as international citizens, we should learn all we can about the world by creating a network of friendships that constantly broaden our perspectives, and adopt the attitude that, as responsible, globally minded leaders of our future, together, all things are possible. His nephew, Mr. Daryoosh Matsudaira, is the current principal of Kanto School and World School Director. He ensures that the spirit continues today, shaped by the commitment of participating schools to create space for international dialogue. 

  
  

  “Imagine each country coming with its own treasure… talking about folklore, sayings, and proverbs.” 

  
  

  This year, Newton Grammar School in Hanoi, Vietnam, hosted the forum for the first time. Under the theme 'Proverbs, Sayings, and Folklore: Lessons from the Wisdom of the World,' students explored cultural knowledge passed down through stories and traditions. "Imagine each country coming with its own treasure,” says Mme Fanzone. “How rich it is to get all these perspectives and cultural aspects from around the globe!" 

  
  

  For Mme Fanzone, this theme was particularly resonant. As a language teacher with a multicultural background and having lived in many countries, she sees firsthand how stories carry common values. At the forum, each delegation presented a lesson or role play rooted in its own cultural narrative. Trafalgar’s delegates, Finley Klein, Rachel Olien, and Tatiana Rusjan, chose to introduce the Wendigo legend from Algonkian tradition to the World School community. 

  
  

  However, the actual learning, Mme Fanzone emphasizes, happens in the daily moments when students from different cultures share their perspectives on the world and during the series of mini-lesson exchanges. Mme Fanzone continues, "Once they realize that despite the cultural or socioeconomic differences, delegates from Sri Lanka, Germany, Finland, or Turkey, to name a few, have similar concerns and dreams. They come back with hope for a better future. This comforting feeling is so precious nowadays." 

  
  

  "...they come back with hope. This comforting feeling is so precious nowadays."

  
  

  During the forum, the delegates give a cultural performance, research and produce a presentation on the year's chosen theme, and go on cultural excursions. In return, they had the chance to learn about Vietnamese traditions: they learned how to make spring rolls, participated in local games, and explored folk crafts. For one week, the delegates live with a host family, experiencing everyday Vietnamese life and are welcomed with remarkable generosity. According to Mme Fanzone, it is this sense of hospitality, this spirit of giving without expectation, that leaves a lasting mark. 

  
  

  "I think our students reinforce firsthand the idea of going beyond me, myself, and everything and start thinking 'wow, we can do a lot when we stand as one.'" 

  
  

  Mme Fanzone notes that the delegates deepen their confidence when they push their boundaries, open their mind and collaborate. She says, “I think our students learn to go beyond themselves and start thinking that we are not that different and that we can learn so much from each other when we stand as one.’’

  
  

  Students selected for the program are chosen not only for strong academics but also for personal and intrapersonal skills such as curiosity, kindness, openness, and a readiness to step outside their comfort zones. Even so, Mme Fanzone notes that being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, navigating jet lag and homesickness, and presenting in international settings push students to develop courage, confidence, and self-compassion in ways that go beyond what we can achieve in class. 

  
  

  Delegates return more self-assured, more comfortable in social situations, and more willing to take initiative in forming relationships with people from different backgrounds. They come back with a greater appreciation for our country as well. To prove her point, Mme Fanzone quoted one of our delegates at the 2024 World School Forum in Japan. In her reflection letter, the student wrote, “I was able to strengthen my open-mindedness and expose myself to alternative perspectives, lifestyles, habits, and cultural experiences.”

  
  

  ''Far from grades, reports, and the daily stress of our way of life, I believe that we shine. In an international environment, Trafalgar and our country shine." 

  
  

  While only a few students travel each year, the learning radiates outward. Delegates create photo exhibitions, presentations, and videos that bring their experiences back to Trafalgar. They also share their expertise at a legacy dinner with the next Canadian delegation. Also, sister schools from the World School network are our partners in the student exchange program.

  
  

  For Mme Fanzone, the heart of the project is both simple and profound: Trafalgar students shine when given the chance to step into the world. They represent their school and their country with kindness, diligence, and genuine curiosity. 

  
  

  "Far from grades, reports, and the daily stress of our school life, I believe that we shine. In an international environment, Trafalgar and our country shine," says Mme Fanzone. Furthermore, through each forum, students come to understand their place in a global community, discovering not only the wisdom of the world but also the best within themselves.
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