Through my days at Marsden High School, I have noticed that there are some differences between Taiwan and Australia. Firstly, the school hours differ: in Taiwan, the school day runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., whereas in Australia, it is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This difference gives Australian students more time for extracurricular activities after school.
Additionally, most students in Australia use tablets to search for information and resources. In contrast, Taiwanese students usually need to search for information after school or use their cellphones only if permitted by the teacher. This suggests that Taiwan is adopting a more eastern style of teaching, as Australian teachers encourage students to use laptops or tablets to find solutions to problems.
Students in Australia need to change classrooms for each subject, whereas I have some classes that require moving to specialized rooms equipped with computers. And there are also differences in the classes themselves. Here, students can choose their courses based on their interests. For instance, as I study with my partner, I am involved in many volleyball classes. In Taiwan, I have only two PE classes a week because our school places more emphasis on examination subjects.
Moreover, lunch routines are very different between Taiwan and Australia. Taiwanese students are accustomed to eating lunch in the classroom, while Australian students prefer to eat in the corridors.
At Marsden High School, students come from diverse countries. We\'ve met Mongolian, Korean, Chinese, and Indian. This diversity allows me to learn about different accents and cultures, broadening my horizons and helping me understand foreigners better.
I believe this is a great opportunity to make international friends and experience different cultures. I can share this experience with my classmates, which could benefit others. Hope I could get the chance to introduce Miaoli to foreigners and invite them to visit Taiwan in the coming days.