Cultural Exchange 2026: A Meaningful Partnership Between Cornerstone and Tzu Chi

On January 19, 2026, Cornerstone School warmly welcomed 13 students from our sister school in Taiwan, Tzu Chi, as part of their biennial visit. Hosted here at Cornerstone, this marked our second time welcoming students from Taiwan for this special cultural exchange. The program has proven to be a deeply meaningful opportunity for both schools; students gained firsthand insight into each other’s cultures, while teachers exchanged rich and valuable pedagogical experiences.

During the ten-day visit, the Taiwanese students stayed with 11 Cornerstone host families. They attended regular school days alongside our 5th graders, participating in daily routines as well as special learning activities thoughtfully designed by our teachers. In addition to classroom time, the visiting students joined our Grade 4 Koi Class on a field trip to Angel Island, where they explored California history together.

On January 27, we hosted a celebratory dinner to honor our host families, celebrate new friendships, and express our gratitude to everyone who made this exchange possible. The evening concluded with a wonderful student performance that brought everyone together and filled the room with joy and laughter.

The final day—and the highlight of the trip—featured our annual Cornerstone Charter Celebration (CCC). This long-standing tradition for Grades 2–5 allows students to earn and save "Cornerstone Money" through their hard work at school. During the celebration, students create handmade items, design their own cultural and game booths, and participate in a campus-wide marketplace. It is a powerful, engaging way to learn about creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. Our Taiwanese friends especially enjoyed taking part in this unique experience. The day ended with a heartfelt farewell; though the goodbyes were emotional, the friendships will surely endure.

We sincerely thank all the teachers and volunteer families who brought this program to life and helped create such lasting memories. Special appreciation goes to our host families for their incredible hospitality—showing our visitors around Silicon Valley, visiting high-tech companies and Stanford University, attending local sports games, biking along the beautiful coastline, and sharing the rhythm of everyday Bay Area life.

Looking ahead to March, our 5th graders will travel to Taiwan to reunite with their friends at Tzu Chi School. We are incredibly excited for our students to experience Taiwanese culture firsthand and to continue growing this wonderful partnership. We look forward to many more years of friendship and collaboration.