LOCAL NEWS

Chinese delegation get big dose of American culture

By Casey Lyons/ Correspondent

Dover-Sherborn Press

Thursday, May 6, 2004

They came. They saw. They left their indelible mark on everyone they met. And yesterday, they went home to China.

The three students and one teacher from Hangzhou High School in Hangzhou, China, left more than just an insider's guide to China and took more than just pictures home. After six weeks living with host families in Dover and Sherborn, the second China Exchange Program drew to a close.

For 42 days, the four had been immersing themselves in all facets of American culture. From Broadway shows, to a hip-hop dancing class and a day at Fenway, Yang Zhegan, He Yang, Chen Jing and their teacher, Cui Hongxiang, were able to see it all. And they did it all in near-perfect English.

As first-time visitors to the U.S., the students and their teacher must have been a bit unnerved. Not only was Dover-Sherborn literally on the other side of the world, but the students were leaving their city for rural towns, their food for ours, and their customs and culture to sample the American way of life.

Beyond even that, the students were faced with a situation few are able to experience: they gave up their Chinese names in exchange for English names of their choosing. So as of stepping off the plane in the beginning of March, He Yang would be known as Young, Yang Zhegan as Andy and Chen Jing as Jackie. Their teacher would be known as Helen.

Jackie, the most vocal of the students, chose her name for its air of independence, she said. It feels like a strong name, and American people seem to like them too, she noted.

For two months, the cultural immersion dial was turned up to maximum. The students and their teacher traveled all over the Boston area, sampling different cultures, customs and foods.

Rebecca Vizulis, a teacher at the D-S Regional High School, was behind much of the trip planning and tried to make it as easy and hassle-free for the students to travel as possible. Along with three other students, Vizulis spent a few months in China earlier this school year.

Thrust into a completely different world, it was difficult for the Chinese students or teacher to distill one aspect of their trip that they liked the most. Their inability to decide seemed to suggest many different best times in many different capacities.

But even in the flash of Times Square, or the thrill of piloting boats around Boston Harbor, Jackie chose Dover and Sherborn as the best places of all.

"We love the students and the teachers," she said. "They are all kind and they helped us a lot and made living here comfortable. All of us love them."

In smaller classes - classes at Hangzhou High School have more than 50 students - the Chinese exchange students felt encouraged to express themselves. In China, due in large part to the size of classes, students are encouraged to listen to instruction in silence.

"In China, all schools pay more attention to listening," Helen said. "Students taking an entrance exam are required to take a test in listening."

In D-S, the students have found a more open and outgoing student body, and a teaching method that encourages students to voice their opinions and express themselves.

As part of their visit, Helen, Young, Andy and Jackie visited classes of all levels and often times spoke about their own culture, and answered questions that eager students offered. Helen was invited to discuss a Chinese novel with a middle school class.

The students here are smart and know a lot about China, Helen said, admitting surprise that a seventh-grader could know the fundamental tenets of Communism. Elementary-age students made maps of China as well, and the group seemed pleased that they could share their personal experiences of their country because the students already knew so much about China.

And they would have had no trouble answering questions. With a firm command of the English language, the group could even recognize and imitate some of the funnier southern words. Helen laughed when she heard "y'all" for the first time, then proceeded to use it herself, chuckling each time.

Students in China begin studying English in fifth grade, and according to Helen, it is one of the more valued subjects for Chinese students.

"English is required to be part of every school, and is one of the most important subjects," she said.

Out of the crowded city atmosphere of Hangzhou, the group enjoyed the time with their host families, and enthusiastically mentioned taking the dog for a walk or just going for a stroll.

Turkeys, deer or turkey sandwiches, the group seemed to appreciate all the little things that are usually taken for granted. Even drinking cold beverages or eating just salad were new experiences; in China, most all food and beverages are taken hot.

Young thought it funny that Americans pay money for people not to cook the food, like sushi.

In all, the students and teacher said they had a very good time here, were able to meet very friendly people and will keep in touch with the people they have met. With any luck, they will be returning to visit some time.

When asked if they had one final thing to say to the people they had met, they offered a thanks and goodbye (but hopefully only for now).

"Tell them we love them and will remember them forever," Helen said. "Tell them we hope they can go to China and the door of our families is always open to them," she added, dabbing the tears from her eyes.

And despite the effortless English up to this point, Jackie understandably had a hard time putting her feelings into speech.

"I can't express how great we feel," she said, stopping to pause for a moment. "We feel really sad, they are strong emotions and we don't know how to express them." Then, taking a breath: "The people here are really nice. Tell them we swear we will never forget them."

Visit the Dover-Sherborn China Exchange website