After the students’ exciting Journey around the World, the International Relations team, Colin McSwiggen, Cassandra Xi, and Taylor Jay led the students through negotiation, communication, and presentation fundamentals! As the students continue to grow in the program, their parents were invited to view a day of SLP activities and learn a little more about the final project with the partner elementary school.
The Students and Mentors pose in front of a Vanke Property
The day began with a game of International Relation themed charades. This exercised introduced the students to key vocabulary and expression techniques necessary in not only international negotiations, but also in common disagreements. Since, charades is not a common game in China, the game was an exercise solely in body language and clear non-verbal communication.
After the brief charade introduction, the students shifted to verbal communication exercises. Students presented several lines of recited text to small groups. Passages ranged from Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, performed by Jordan, to lines from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, performed by Michaela. Students focused on different methods of presentation context, such as persuasion, entertainment, and emotional connection. Many students who previously shied away from group discussion came out of their shell and showed their potential in this activity. Eye contact, speech fluency, and body gestures were key points in suggested improvements.
Students Simulating the Prisoner's Dilemma
Despite a day of communication exercises, a fundamental International Relations exercise relied on no communication at all. The students were presented with their own Prisoner’s Dilemma, (shown above) in which they must choose to act in the interest of themselves or each other. After rounds of resolved dilemmas, students, including partners Charlie and Francica, realized the maximum amount of reward came with cooperation, when they both acted in the interest of each other- a vital aspect of successful international relations.
The final International Relations activity focused on a student skit designed to feature and demonstrate one of seven persuasion techniques, including bandwagon, emotional appeal, and hyperbole. Student skits were absolutely phenomenal! Not only did they focus on their assigned technique, they produced intricate plot lines filled with surprises, humor, and artistic performances. They featured a karaoke performance, moonwalk, and even a hip hop rap. Most importantly, the students presented memorable and entertaining methods of remembering and using persuasion techniques in presentation and debate.
SLP with Prospective International MIT Students
After an exciting day with the students, SLP met the Shenzhen alumni network and prospective MIT students over signature hot pot (shown above). MIT alum, entrepreneur, and CEO of his own software company, Mike Freedman, shared his views on opening his own business in foreign countries, managing multiple branches, and potential expansion into developing countries.
Until tomorrow,
Jia
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