Six weeks in Beijing: NSLI-Y Scholars discover Chinese
The success of this summer’s ACES NSLI-Y program is reflected in the excitement and positive feedback received since the student’s return in mid-August. Students worked on language skills, presented cultural research projects, volunteered and of course, saw the historic sights. In turn, students represented the United States as cultural ambassadors to their Chinese schoolmates, host families, and even in Xi’an at a National English Competition.
Students lived on campus at the Beijing Camford Royal School, a private school located on the edge of the bustling capital city. They shared rooms, ate meals, and even participated in classes with local Chinese students who also attend the school.
On weekends, students were hosted by local families and experienced “real” Chinese lifestyle. Families commented that they were surprised to see students were not at all what they expected from Americans because they were expecting someone similar to the portrayals of American students in the movies.
Classes were held daily and were supplemented with elective courses like Chinese painting, Kung Fu and music. Teachers actively engaged students, encouraging them to think in Chinese. The teachers and students got along really well and the teachers helped the students achieve a solid base in listening and speaking.
Overall the cultural visits were a lot of fun for the students and usually informative about Chinese culture. The students had several opportunities to enjoy traditional Chinese performance arts and visit many historically and culturally relevant sites.
As part of the program, students volunteered their time throughout the summer. For example, students visited an orphanage for children whose parents have been incarcerated. In general the students’ experiences volunteering in China were a result of the current state of Chinese non-profit work. Students had an in-depth conversation about how new the idea of volunteerism and charity work is in China and the implications for the future as the American concept of volunteerism catches on. Students also commented on how Chinese people may not value volunteer labor as much as monetary donations. All students took away more knowledge about how these kinds of activities operate in China.
ACES administers summer programs to Turkey and China. To learn more, or to find out how to participate, please visit NSLI For Youth.
Here’s a peek at what our students did during the summer of 2011 in Istanbul. East meets west: ACES NSLI-Y Students learn Turkish