Concordia Students Earn International School Award

Good news alert! Concordia’s student-run social enterprise, Xiaohusai, has earned the International School Award 2025 for its ongoing commitment to the local community! Out of nearly 200 applications worldwide, only 14 winners were selected, and we’re proud to be one of them. A big shoutout to our students, faculty, and community for their dedication and spirit of service!

Hosted by ISC Research, the International School Awards celebrate strategic initiatives at international schools that showcase outstanding learning, innovation, and community participation. These initiatives are rooted in key values such as intercultural understanding, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Xiaohusai is a remarkable example of Concordia’s service-learning impact. Named after a small village in rural Yunnan, the social enterprise was founded by Concordia students in 2016 and has been student-led ever since. Partnering with a local Shanghai company, they procure organic tea from Yunnan farmers at fair market prices, package it, and sell it. This initiative ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their tea, allowing them to better support their children’s education and improve life in the village.

Since its inception, Xiaohusai has positively impacted nearly 1,000 villagers and has directly supported six families through education scholarships.

"By directly purchasing tea from farmers, we ensure they receive above-market wages, bypassing traditional middlemen. While the direct-trade model is a short-term goal, the long-term impact lies in education," says the Xiaohusai team. In 2022, Xiaohusai was recognized as an Excellent Charity Organization Nominee by the Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards—a testament to their impact and dedication!

Every year, new high school students join the Xiaohusai team, ensuring its continued growth and sustainability. With schoolwide support, the team shares the story of the Yunnan village with the broader community. Each summer, they visit the village to assess progress, engage with locals, help with tea harvesting and roasting, and identify new infrastructure projects to support.

A huge shoutout to the Xiaohusai team—you are changemakers! Keep up the incredible work!