In order to welcome teachers back to their schools for the new semester, and help them fit in school life while knowing more about Chinese traditions and culture, Haida Interact International organized a ‘First Meeting’ for all teachers in Futian Area.
The meeting coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, hence Haida HR also conducted a DIY Mooncake activity for the foreign teachers. The activity helped the educators gain a better understanding of the tradition and the legend associated with the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.
The activity was conducted in a similar style to that of the one conducted by Haida HR for its foreign teachers in Hangzhou. The teachers were first made aware of the different styles of mooncakes such as Cantonese style mooncake and Suzhou style mooncake etc. and later participated in the mooncake making activity.
The foreign educators took keen interest in the DIY Mooncake activity. They kneaded the dough, placed the fillings inside, wrapped and sealed the cake with the dough disc. Next, they placed the stuffed mooncakes into the mould by lightly pressing the mould handle.
The teachers were guided by a baker, who explained them in detail about the various flavors of fillings and how they tasted. When the mooncakes were baked to perfection, the teachers were surprised at their work. Towards the end of the activity, everyone was full of excitement and packed their self-made mooncakes into traditionally designed paper bags.
Haida HR China believes that the inclusion of foreign teachers in Chinese festivals and rituals makes it easier for them to understand the local culture and making themselves comfortable with it. With the DIY mooncake activity, foreign teachers not only got opportunities to experience Chinese culture and communicate with each other but also experienced the care their recruitment agency provides them with.
