Seventeen American high school students have begun a 10-day exchange program in Beijing and Shanghai, blending martial arts workshops, soccer matches with local peers, and immersive cultural activities. Organized by China's Ministry of Education, the initiative underscores efforts to strengthen people-to-people connections amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Participants visited the Great Wall, practiced calligraphy, and attended lectures on China's educational system. A highlight was a collaborative dragon dance performance with students from Shanghai International Studies University, symbolizing cross-cultural collaboration.
"It's been a transformative journey," said Emily Carter, a 17-year-old participant from California. "We're discovering shared passions through sports while learning how interconnected our futures really are."
Chinese organizers emphasized the program's timing, coinciding with efforts to revive educational exchanges post-pandemic. Similar initiatives are planned for 2024, with reciprocal visits by Chinese students to US cities.
