From the Flip Side: Darien High School Students Return From China Visit
NEIRAD enilno edition
You may recall back in the fall seeing several unfamiliar students walking the halls of Darien High School. Perhaps you even had a “new” student join one of your classes for a few days. What you have witnessed is Darien High School’s China Exchange program in action. This year, the students involved in the China Exchange program at Darien High School welcomed students from the coed Qingdao #58 school. These DHS students have just recently returned from their trip to Qingdao, Xi’an, and Beijing.
Large festivities took place on Friday, April 1, as various anxious Darien High School students anticipated their subsequent departure for China. The learning connections room flooded with students eager for their departure, as well as parents, teachers, and friends extending their goodbyes. The room was bustling with activity. According to Sophomore Lila Sullivan the departing students have been exceedingly busy for days. “It’s been a crazy week!” Lila said.
Coincidentally, the departure for China occurred on April Fool’s Day. Senior Julia Lang was eager for the trip, but still in awe of its fast arrival. “I feel like we’re going to get to the airport and its going to be an April Fools’ Joke!” Julia said.
Just before the departure, both Principal Haron and Mrs. Russo gave kind words of farewell to the Asia-bound Darien High School Students. They reminded the students that while abroad, they would be representing not only their school and the town of Darien, but also the entire country.
The China exchange program at Darien High school is a yearlong class taught by Mrs. Shortliffe and Ms. Sorensen. According to Ms. Sorensen, the class consists of an introduction to the culture and life of China through different lens. This year, the students have looked at Chinese film and literature, kept up on current events, and even attempted at familiarizing themselves with the language. For the most part, the class brings the students into an understanding of cultural work and practices in China related to food and family.
This year, the China exchange program has grown significantly in size. Ms. Sorensen said that in the past, only about 10-12 students participated in the program. However, this year, there are 15 students, which is certainly more than usual. “We had several really incredible candidates,” explained Ms. Sorensen. In fact, Ms. Sorensen said that there were so many wonderful applicants and not enough spaces that they asked some to hold off being in the program until next year, when the group will be traveling to Shanghai.
Each year, the China exchange program alternates between visiting the Chinese cities of Qingdao and Shanghai. “Both trips are the same,” Ms. Sorensen said. She explained that the only essential difference is that Qingdao is a smaller city, so in Shanghai the students may experience a more “international component.” However, both trips consist of staying with a host family, joining a Chinese student in their daily school routine, and coming culturally in touch with a Chinese city.
The Darien High School China Exchange students have been preparing year-round for this trip and are excited to be able to represent their country. According to junior Rhiannon Ross, they were already prepared to show their courtesy, as they prepared gifts for their host families. “We’re all bringing them gifts,” she explained. Rhiannon brought American Easter candy for her host family, as she said that they don’t celebrate Easter in China. Junior Liv Markham also brought candy, as well as perfume and a hat for members of her host family.
These thoughtful gifts were not the only thing that the DHS students prepared for their visit to China. In the week that they went to the Qingdao school, the students entertained the Chinese students with a dance that the school asked them to prepare. “We’re doing a performance of three songs into one with the Hoedown Throwdown, the Macarena, and the Waka Waka dance,” Rhiannon said before leaving for the trip. “It’s going to be really entertaining,” Julia added. After watching the students rehearse the dance, Ms. Sorensen had hopes that they would “perform it in a good American spirit!” In turn, the Chinese students performed their own dance.
This three-week experience certainly kept these Darien High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors occupied. The itinerary contained plans to visit various famous sites and places. This included a tour of the grand Laoshan Mountain, which Ms. Sorensen said is a Taoist religious community. In addition, they visited the legendary Terracotta Warriors Museum. Rhiannon was particularly excited to visit the China Cares Orphanage. “We’re bringing them clothes and Desitin, a baby rash cream. We’re basically there to volunteer,” she said.
With an absorbing schedule ahead of them, the Darien China Exchange students were thrilled to finally be able to have the experience that the Chinese did when they traveled to Darien. “I’m excited to try new things and strengthen by language skills,” Liv, also a third year mandarin student, said.
The students engaged in the trip to China contacted their friends, family, and teachers through email. The school was also kept updated on their whereabouts and posted various pictures on its home page. As proved from years past, the students certainly have thrilling stories and momentous pictures to share upon their return. The trip lasted just three weeks, yet, various landmarks were seen, dozens of people met, and endless cultural experiences held in just this brief time.
The China experience, however, does not end upon the students’ return. Ms. Sorensen said that she expects the students to experience a bit of culture shock upon their reentry to their lives in Darien. “When you’re there, you’ve immersed yourself in another culture. Coming back, you are facing a life that you haven’t been living for three weeks,” she said. She expects that returning to their mundane lives will be difficult when compared to the exhilarating experience that the culture of the Chinese nation provided. “Life keeps moving on when they come back,” she said.
The Chinese students have also prepared a research project during their class time this year. When they return, they will be holding a nighttime public event, in which they share this project. In addition they will be displaying pictures from their trip. Ms. Sorensen welcomes all students to come and receive some elements of these students’ cultural experience. That being said, we warmly welcome home the Darien High School China Exchange Class of 2010-2011 from their cultural escapade.
