2009 Inner City Kids in China Program

 

Reflections from participants:

"ThisChina trip altered me into a person that no one else personally can change me. I have grown to learn the meaning of appreciating ones life. I have learned on this trip that the lifestyle I live in is not the only one in this world. On the other side of the globe there is actually a different way of living. I became more open minded and can see that there are worse things in life than you think. Experiencing a different culture can show you the flaws or even the good in your own life. Because of this trip I became more motivated to do things and have a stronger will. I was very scared and nervous about climbing the Great Wall of China since I have a fear of heights but I pushed forward and did not give up. I personally dislike the outdoors and its company of bugs and other things but I traveled to the country side having a first hand view of true beauty within Mother Nature.            

Adapting to a new lifestyle allows you to open up your eyes and open up yourself to new things, things that you can never do in your own lifestyle. This made me want to become more adventurous and want to explore life so much more. This experience makes me yearn for a more outrageous life and I now search for new things and consider my past life a bit wasteful and not exciting. Now that I am back in the United States I can truly tell myself that I have changed and that my life has become very precious to me and I am grateful for the things that I have and will not complain about the things that I do not have. I never thought that in two weeks your view on life can actually change."

My Nguyen (sophmore)

 

"The trip to China has changed me in many ways. One of the ways is that I became more of a team player.  When I wanted to do something really badly but nobody else wanted to do it I just bit my tongue and kept on going. That also helped me mature a lot because when we passed up something I had great interest in but we were unable to do or see, I wouldn’t complain about giving it up for more than a couple seconds.  The trip gave me a chance to eat new and exciting things.  While some of the other students were very picky and ate only types of food they had tried in America or looked like a familiar food they already knew, I sampled every single type of food that brought to the table at every meal.  While I must admit my favorite thing was the meat and potatoes like how they were made back at home I greatly enjoyed the Chinese cuisine.

I will definitely return to China.  The people, food, culture, and historical sites are so impressive that one trip is simply not enough to absorb the immensity of such a graceful and majestic land as China."

Barry Doherty (junior)

 

"I believe the Beijing, China trip has made me break out of my shell and walk on water. I feel like I am outspoken, more talkative, and more importantly I do not care what people say about me. I do not feel as shy and quite as I once was. I thank my teachers and everyone else who went on the China trip for that. As soon as we landed to see our parents when we returned to Boston, I couldn't stop talking to my dad about the China trip. Usually when I talk to people or my family there would always be a silent conversation for a good 5-10min, but now it's like whenIi talk to people I will start the conversation and there would be no silent treatments.

Those two weeks in China were the best two weeks ever. My favorite parts of the trip was the Summer Palace and singing to the schools. If I had a chance to go back in my senior year I would, but not by myself. I would have to go with someone. I love the new me and would not want to change it for the better."

Seira Smith (freshman)

 

"I would have never thought that I could change so much and start to appriciate everything that I have.It's crazy how 10 students who barley knew anything about each other could become like family after 2 weeks of living together. This is the best experience in my life and I dont think anything can go above it."

Rossana Salazar (sophmore)

"The China trip was the most life changing thing in my life. I made a new family and new friends. while on this trip I learned that material things aren't important. I learned to value things that I didn't really pay attention to, and I became more courageous in trying new things.

"I feel that it is up to me and the other china trip participants to set examples and become those role models. Thank you Mr. Peterson, Mr. Abbott, and a special thanks to Liu Laoshi, for helping us become better individuals."

Joshua Rosado (junior)