International Day 2025: A Celebration of Community, Culture and Connection

Cultural Traditions

Our Primary classes enjoyed fourteen different workshops between them, including English folk stories, Australian Aboriginal-inspired dot painting, constructing the Eswatini flag, Indian dance, and making Scottish shortbread. Each class put on a Parade of Nations allowing everyone to appreciate the official or representative national dress of their classmates.
With its timing later in the school calendar, we use this event as an opportunity for our Year 6 students to mingle with Year 7, helping to prepare them for the transition to Secondary next year. Among their activities was the Hungarian wonder of the Rubik’s Cube, Japanese Origami, Indian henna tattoos and an international quiz. Further up Secondary our students flexed their brains looking at how Taiwan builds earthquake proof skyscrapers, British Sign language, the art of Indigenous Canadian artist Norval Morrison, and more.

The importance of Language

International Day is one of the many cultural and multi-cultural days we recognise at LCIS. Language is a core part of identity and culture, and many of our celebrations come from our focus on languages and language acquisition, including French as the language of Swiss Romande.
On February 26th we celebrate the European Day of Languages, and we hold our Francophone Week every March as part of our focus on bilingualism. Our language teachers make a point of highlighting relevant important days in their language lessons as well, for example the Day of the Dead in Spanish lessons, Candlemas (Mariä Lichtmess) and Mardi Gras in German.

Visiting the European countries whose language they are learning is an important chance to practice speaking. Earlier this year our Secondary Spanish students had the chance to spend several days in Barcelona, and on the 1st May the lower Secondary German students enjoyed a spring day trip to the beautiful and historic Swiss federal city, Berne. Naturally, our students spend plenty of time surrounded by both French and English, as well as being able to choose to study certain subjects in French or English, and with the option to take the International Baccalaureate as a bilingual diploma.

International Degustation

Costume, flags, games, dance and language are many things we all associate with specific nations and these form much of the content of our International Day activities. But the piece de resistance and much-anticipated culmination of the day is our wonderful International Food Fair. Organised by the La Côte International School parent-teacher association, dedicated volunteers spend time preparing signature dishes from their countries of origin, which they bring to school for the after-school event that takes place in our dining room. From Mexico to Thailand, the UK, Japan, India and Tunisia to name just a few, this year’s banquet was our best to date. It is an event enjoyed by parents, teachers and staff and a fabulous way to end the day.

Events like International Day are more than just vibrant celebrations—they are an expression of the values that define La Côte International School. As a bilingual international school rooted in Swiss traditions, LCIS embraces the diversity of its students and staff while cultivating a strong sense of belonging and respect for different cultures. From language acquisition to cultural appreciation, these experiences help shape open-minded, globally aware learners. Whether through a Scottish recipe, a Spanish song, or a simple conversation in French, our community thrives on connection, identity, and shared discovery. International Day stands as a joyful reminder of the richness that comes from being part of a truly international—and deeply connected—school community.