Ten years ago, eleven Darien High School students and two teachers boarded a plane to head off to Shanghai China. These Darien representatives were a few of the first student American diplomats in China. Now, a decade later, the China Exchange program continues to fill in the gap between the culture of China and America. Despite the extensive differences between the two countries, every student, teacher, family, and friend involved with the program over the last ten years can agree on one thing: China Exchange changes lives.
As the group of eleven students walked out of Shanghai Airport ten years ago, Robby Canning, DHS alum Class of 2003, stood in awe looking at the blue sky. It was the beginning of what Canning would look back on as “a one of a kind experience in one of the world's most ascendant countries.”
Today, as DHS students stroll down the streets of China, the sky is blocked by skyscrapers that give New York City’s buildings a run for their money. As China and the United States have changed, the program has made adjustments alongside. What once started as a three week stay at Shanghai school has developed into a two week stay at Shanghai No 3 School or Qingdao No 58 School, followed by a week of travelling Beijing. But, throughout the evolution of the program three things stay the same, the “lao shi” (the Chinese name for teacher) and masterminds behind the program are Ms. Sorensen, Mrs. Shortliffe, and Mrs. Armiger, who are heartbroken at the even shorter visit Chinese students have been taking to America. Although Ms. Sorensen says, “we need the three weeks for students to fully develop friendships with the Chinese students, to understand their language, culture, and lifestyle,” DHS students have managed to make life long connections with the short time they have to get to know the Chinese students.
Every DHS student who has travelled to China has noted that his or her perspective on the world changed.
So many people think the world is so big, and when I went on the trip to China I did think that initially, but there are moments where you realize that everyone is so similar and how the world is actually pretty small,” said junior Claire Walker, who travelled to Qingdao with the program in 2011. Walker still exchanges emails with the Chinese students she befriended during her stay. Her personal favorite was one from Amber, a student who visited this fall, “Dear Claire, I am so excited that Harry [Potter] found a Chinese love named Cho Chang! Love, Amber”. Walker uses this email as an example of the connection between the Chinese and American culture China Exchange helps students find.
Chinese students have developed similar feelings about their American counterparts. Amber, the student who stays in touch with Walker, said, “the most touching thing was when my host family used chopsticks. I know they understand my culture and they will always be there for me.”
Odds are in Amber and Claire’s favor for their hopes to have an everlasting friendship be their realties. Past China Exchange participants still call their host families their adoptive families and their host home their second homes. Sommer, a Chinese student who visited America in the first few years of the program, fell in love with America. After returning home to China, Sommer applied to colleges in America and was accepted into Yale University, just 45 minutes from her second home. Every Thanksgiving, Sommer comes “home” and spends time with her “adopted” family.
Kristen Backus, who also travelled to Qingdao in 2011, is extending the opportunities that China Exchange presents to the whole community. After seeing her students in 2011 “shine and be their best as delegates from DHS” she helped found the China Connect Club that will continue preserving and expanding the connection between China and American students.
China Exchange has provided ten years of perspective, experience, and friendships to DHS students. Here’s to another ten!
To get involved with China Exchange, contact Ms. Sorensen, Mrs. Shortliffe, and Mrs. Armiger. Contact Kristen Backus to become a member of China Connect, a club that supports nonprofit organizations in China.
