Learning by textbooks alone is not learning. Rather, it only shows that you understand what other people have experienced; knowledge derived from books does not reflect what you as an individual truly believe from first hand experience. The 2006 China trip was a way for me and all participants to learn through first hand experience.

Upon first reaching the school, I realized several differences between Chinese and American cultures while being received with thunderous applause from the XingLong students. I wondered: if foreign students ever came to our schools, would we ever receive them with such warm heartedness? Based on previous experience, I have seen foreign exchange students in America be treated like outsiders with few exceptions. Americans back home seem to have a higher sense of self-superiority as if they were better than other cultures. On the ride to the vocational school, I admit I was worried that the local kids would be as close-minded as people I know at my school. However that worry quickly disappeared. After conversing and trading cultures, I realized how willing the locals were to making new friends, even if they did look and act differently. How is this great gap in psychology explained? Every parent wants their child to grow up to be successful, nice, and moral. Therefore, parents in America have a choice to try and find the best environment for their child to grow up. At the rural village of XingLong , parents have no choice but to send their child to the only school available in town, sometimes having trouble finding the money to afford it. On average, the local students are more friendly and moral than American students. The harsh conditions in the countryside may let the kids grow up better. On one wall in the dorm, a student carved: “In order to succeed at school, I must give up basketball.” The XingLong kids realize that they only have one chance to make something of their own lives and that they are the only hope for supporting their family. During an interview with a student, he expressed disbelief at the concept of a senior home, thinking that this is disrespectful to the elderly. In America , this sense of filialness is seldom seen. We also have more opportunities to be successful here. If one doesn't or is unable to go to college, he or she still has many other possibilities ad jobs open. Many of the people that changed the face of America do not have high degrees, such as Bill Gates. After witnessing the individual talents of the XingLong students, I truly believe that many of them possess the potential to be successful if only they were given the opportunity. I find it unfair how Chinese students who try harder and go through more intense training receive less opportunities than slacking American students.

No single moment can qualify as the most memorable, because the friendliness and kindness of the local students made the entire 2006 China trip and altogether unforgettable experience. Just as we were about to leave, the entire school gathered around us to say goodbye. Many kids laughed hysterically as they clambered around us to take pictures, others wept as we signed autographs and gave our contact information, still others tried to put on a happy face while tears rolled down during a brief hug. I will never forget how the XingLong students made us feel welcome, more welcome than we do at home.

By Roland Zhou

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[Thoughts from Chinese students]