Shenzhen China
12th to 19th JUNE 2017
For the 20 students and two teachers that comprised the Indian delegation for the Round Square Student Exchange to Shenzhen, China; the trip was exhilarating from the get-go. Completing a long journey of almost eight hours they finally arrived at Shekou Pier in Shenzhen, which itself is a beautiful industrial province near Hong Kong that is famous for being one of the largest and wealthiest cities in China. They were welcomed by Ms. Sunny and a student from SCCSC and taken to the school Shenzhen (Nanshan) Concord College Of Sino-Canada or more popularly known as SCCSC. The school campus was huge and there were different activities and classes including physics, calligraphy, English, Chinese, music and Tai Chi planned for them. After freshening up in their dorms the group was ready to explore the new country. Through the bus ride to OCT Harbor, all of them remained glued to the windows, ooh-ing and aah-ing at the marvelous sights in the new city.
They enjoyed a delicious and authentic Chinese dinner. They had to return to the school due to the unexpected typhoon and promptly fell asleep being completely exhausted.
Staying at the school dormitory helped them experience the student life in China and they found the students being extremely disciplined, time bound and multitasking as well. Students stayed for the week at the school dorm and went home on weekends which helped them balance and focus on their school work.
Fast-forward through the next five days, which featured visits to shopping malls, enchanting and elaborate cultural shows, the Shenzhen cultural wax museum, a Chinese themed park, a trek to Maluan Mountain and the Dameihua beach cleanup with their host families, which inspired them to clean the Mumbai beaches too. They were given several opportunities to socialize with their hosts and the other students. The hardworking nature of the students at SCCSC inspired them, whilst they tried to embrace some qualities from the students of China. Each day was more exciting than the last. Both the staff and students from SCCSC were nothing but welcoming, and their friendly attitudes infectious. They found themselves being waved to and smiled upon by all members of the school. Talk about a warm welcome!
On their last day at school, before they were to depart to stay with their host families for the weekend, both the SCCSC and DAIS students put up a cultural performance complete with songs, dances and a martial arts demonstration to much applause. They then exchanged goodbyes with their old friends, ready to embark on new adventures that awaited each one of them.
DAIS students spent a wonderful weekend with the respective host families. Their hosts were extremely warm and welcomed them into their homes. They took them to several places that displayed their extensive culture. The students soon began to understand that cultural differences are much more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and surroundings. Their culture reflects very deep insights, beliefs, and values that influence their way of life. The DAIS students really appreciated the fact that their host families went out of their way to make them feel comfortable and it was a great experience!
Following a meeting with the student and teacher leaders from SCCSC, they left Shenzhen on Monday afternoon carrying many gifts from their host families, and twice as many fond memories. They will always remember the amazing time they had in Shenzhen, as well as the friends they made and the new culture they had discovered. The exchange program to China helped them discover new strengths and abilities, overcome new challenges, and solve new problems. They learnt so much more about China than they would have ever learnt from a textbook or the Internet. Wanting to reciprocate the warmth and love received in China, they hope that their Chinese friends will visit them sometime soon!
In the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, “Experiencing a new culture widens the mind and the spirit.” And that’s exactly how they all felt after their trip to Shenzhen!
REFLECTIONS:
Adit Kadakia, hosted by Liao Gangyi (David):
The one thing that pleased me the most about China was their warmth and hospitality, even though we did not understand their language, the happiness on their face was enough to make us all happy. Our trip to China will surely always remain in our memories, with all of the different classes like Tai Chi, Mandarin and Calligraphy and the visits to malls trying to explain the shopkeeper what no meat meant with hand gestures. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to China and we would never trade it for anything else.
Ananya Modi hosted by Zhang Boheng (Christine):
I have had an amazing time with my host, and now my close friend Christine. Her family, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang, and Dabao and Erbao and their turtles have been extremely welcoming. First I learnt the entire process of making tea and then I made it myself which was quite exciting. While traveling we took a train and I was amazed at how developed and clean the transportation systems are in Shenzhen. Here the people speak Cantonese and the food is very different like curd rolls, rice noodles and purple sweet potato dumplings. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity and I'm looking forward to my friendship with Christine!
Anoushka Kasliwal hosted by Li Qirui (Katherine):
My host and her family were extremely welcoming. We talked a lot about each other's different culture and learnt a lot. It was an amazing and memorable experience with some great memories that I will never forget!
Avana Patel, hosted by Ouyang Ying (Kristy):
Over the few days I have been here I have experienced the immense hospitality of the Chinese people. My host welcomed me with open arms and taught me about their culture and was also excited to hear about the cultural diversity of India. My host (Kristy) was very helpful and I am thankful to Kristy for making this trip one of the most memorable trips of my life.
Avi Agarwal, hosted by Zhenwei Zhang (Avi):
My host and his family are the kindest people I have ever met. They were extremely hospitable and invited me to stay with them any time I come to China. The past few days with this family have been amazing.
Divija Shah, hosted by Chen Xinran (Nina): Nina and her family were welcoming and they made me feel at home. Her sister Anne was very cute and her mother cooked very good food for me. My whole experience with the family has been memorable and exciting!
Eesha Bodapati hosted by Chen Siran (Helen):
I had a wonderful time at Helen’s house. Her parents were very enthusiastic and helpful and made sure I was comfortable. They put in a lot of effort to make sure I was happy. I really enjoyed playing with Helen's brother and her, and exploring Shenzhen. It was a great experience overall.
Insha Lakhani hosted by Tang Linzhi (Linda):
This was one of the most amazing experiences ever as the trip didn’t stop at just giving us a perspective but went further and helped us live life in a different place with different cultures. The true aim of RS to make us into global citizens with the power to surpass standards of race and nationality and just be human beings was the greatest learning for me.
Kiara Bose Roy hosted by Yu Ziti (Rey):
Everyone in Rey's family was very welcoming. Rey taught me how to play the piano and a Chinese board game too. I felt very comfortable around them.
Krishi Manek hosted by Chen Yarou (Kimmy):
I had the best time ever with Kimmy and her family! Her mother and grandmother cooked me scrumptious five course Chinese meals. Kimmy's family was very sweet and funny. I spent an amazing two days living with her family and experiencing everyday life in China, and every moment was special for me. Her family has invited me to come over anytime I am in China. I have made an amazing friend whom I will remember lifelong!
Nasya Sequeira hosted by Liu Xinyu (Evangeline):
My host, Evangeline, and her family were very hospitable and I had a wonderful time with them.
Her grandmother made me traditional Chinese food. We talked about our schools, country and culture. We were both surprised to learn about the differences in customs and traditions. I really appreciate the fact that her family went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and it was a great experience!
Paree Rohera, hosted by Cui Junqi (Melissa):
Our hosts were all extremely warm and welcomed us into their homes on the weekend. They took us to several places that successfully displayed their extensive culture. I began to understand that cultural differences are much more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and surroundings. Their culture reflects very deep insights, beliefs, and values that influence their way of life. Opportunities like this exchange program helped me to discover new strengths and abilities, overcome new challenges, and solve new problems.
Prarthna Chabria hosted by Guo Yulin (Tracy):
My host family was extremely warm and hospitable and treated me as their daughter. Lisa aunty (Tracy’s mother) wanted me to experience their life. A trip complete with learning, adventure, fun and education is how I would like to summarize my wonderful experience. It will be etched in my mind forever.
Prisha Mangat, hosted by Wang Muyan (Natalia):
I felt very comfortable and welcome at my host Natalia's house, for I was given delicious vegetarian food that was made especially for me. In spite of her father's absence due to work, he made an effort to keep in touch with me throughout my stay.
Rashi Lalan, hosted by Song Qian
This summer I had my very first round square trip as well as student exchange programme in China.Apart from making me a very independent and responsible person I also learnt the importance of food and how food was valued in China. To conclude, I think this trip was a blast as I enjoyed ever second with my friends and along with that learnt to co-operate, adjust and most importantly value.
Shanaya Piramal hosted by Liang Weishan (Sandy):
It was very different staying with quite an orthodox Chinese family. It was like discovering a whole new part of the world that is so unknown to us, even though China is so close to our country. Without any social media or connection with the outside world, the family I stayed with was deeply rooted in their culture. It really gave me an insight on how other people live, an experience I am grateful to have.
Suakshi Soni hosted by Li Jialu (Carol):
My host Carol was very nice and her family too was extremely welcoming. They cooked special and delicious meals for me and showered me with lots of gifts.
Tanisha Agarwal hosted by Guo Yingyi (Patricia):
My host Patricia and her family have been kind and welcoming beyond belief. From long talks with her cousin Gloria about Indian and Chinese cinema, and obsessing over Iron Man with her little brother Gary, to celebrating father's day where I got to be a part of the lovely family get-together. Never once did I feel awkward or unwelcome, and my host family was so understanding and concerned about my injured ankle, it really warmed my heart. This was such a wonderful experience and I will always remember it!
Tara Agarwal hosted by Li Ruizhi (Julia):
I don't think a few words can fully describe the weekend that I spent with the Li family. Julia (my host) was very friendly and welcoming and went out of her way to ensure my happiness and comfort. We were exposed to each other's diverse cultures and realized the importance on family and values such as honesty and gratitude. I became significantly more independent. I'm immensely grateful to Julia and her family for making this weekend the best of my life. I will never forget this experience.
Lekh Parekh hosted by Chen Chong (Chad):
To be honest, the hospitality showed towards me by the Chong family was way over my expectations. I didn't have the faintest idea that my host, Chen's mother would take the conscious effort to go to a store all the way across town and buy be some 'dal' and try to cook it for me the day I reached their place. I was under the weather for a couple of days so she consistently kept asking me whether I need or took my medicine on time. We left feeling content by the fact that we would meet them soon and these memories will definitely never fade away.
Compiled by: Adit Kadakia & Ananya Modi