A friendship that began through our Mandarin programme and Chinese exchange initiative has come full circle a decade later as the pair returned to Bohunt for a visit.
Former Bohunt student Archie, who was part of the school’s Mandarin CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) tutor group, took part in the school’s China exchange programme in 2016. During the visit, he was paired with exchange student Pengfei Tian, known as Tian, and the two quickly became friends.
Despite living on opposite sides of the world, Archie and Tian have remained in contact ever since. Now, a decade later, they have reunited in person for the first time since their exchange experience.
Tian, who is currently studying in Edinburgh, travelled to Hampshire this week and was keen to visit Bohunt School.
During their visit, the pair recreated a photograph they had taken together in Sports Hall 1 ten years ago, providing a touching reminder of the lasting impact of international friendships and cultural exchange.
Reflecting on his return to Bohunt, Archie said:
“It’s brilliant to see how much has changed and yet how familiar it feels. I feel like I could still find my way to any classroom!”
Tian was equally delighted to be back at the school, commenting:
“It’s beautiful… even though the weather here today is not good!”
The visit also gave Archie the opportunity to reflect on the role Bohunt’s Mandarin CLIL programme played in his education.
Archie said:
“I remember my CLIL Mandarin experience really well. It was so different to anything I’d ever done. You’d be doing something like PE and then pausing and learning what the word for football is.
I would recommend CLIL. It’s a different way of learning. It definitely helped boost my Mandarin. Plus, the experiences I got out of it – the exchange trip to China and being able to meet Tian – were just amazing. The fact that we’re still friends today says everything.”
Tian also shared fond memories of his time studying alongside Bohunt students during the exchange programme, highlighting the friendships and cultural understanding developed through the experience.
The reunion serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of language learning and international partnerships. What began as a school exchange programme has grown into a friendship that has spanned continents and endured for ten years, demonstrating the unique opportunities that programmes such as Bohunt’s Mandarin CLIL initiative can create for young people.
As Archie and Tian stood together in the same spot where they first posed for a photograph a decade ago, their story offered a compelling example of how education can build connections that last a lifetime.
Co-Head Teachers Lucy Broad and Hannah Green said:
“Archie and Tian’s story perfectly captures the power of education to bring people together across cultures, languages and continents. What began as a school exchange has grown into a genuine friendship that has stood the test of time, and we are delighted to welcome them both back to Bohunt.”
Miss Li, Bohunt Mandarin teacher said,
“It is incredibly moving to see Archie and Tian return to Bohunt and it is my pleasure to witness this cross-cultural friendship across two sides of the world. Language learning is about far more than vocabulary and exams; it opens doors to new cultures, new perspectives and lifelong connections. Their story shows the lasting value of our Mandarin CLIL programme and international exchange opportunities, and we are very proud that Bohunt played a part in bringing them together.”
Bohunt Mandarin CLIL programme and international partnerships are about far more than learning a language. Seeing Archie and Tian reunite ten years later is a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact opportunities through Bohunt can have.
