A delegation of over 100 high school students and teachers from Iowa visited China from March 16 to 22, engaging in cultural exchanges and sightseeing across Beijing, Hebei Province in northern China, and Shanghai.
Their journey began in Beijing, where they explored iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City -- famous sights they had previously only encountered in textbooks or on TikTok.
Later, in Hebei, Iowa's Sister Province in China, the students delved into the rich traditions of Chinese culture, learning to cut intricate paper patterns and even practicing Chinese calligraphy with brush pens. Mastering these ancient art forms proved challenging, but the students had a rewarding experience trying their hands at them while discovering the stories and values behind traditional Chinese crafts.
For many students, the highlight of the trip was viewing giant pandas and learning about the conservation of this precious species. Many of them seized the opportunity to capture selfies, eager to share their excitement with friends back home. For the majority of the students, it was their first time encountering a real panda, making the experience all the more memorable.
"They're really cute. I think my favorite one was seeing the panda perched up in a tree, just kind of gnawing down on some bamboo. I thought that was really cute," shared Kaj Larsen, an American student.
Juniper Taylor, another American student, reflected on the unexpected similarities between China and the U.S.
"I think it's a lot more similar than some people realize. Sometimes when I get off the plane, I forget that I'm in China and not in America anymore because it feels really similar," Taylor said.
The students also took part in a tree-planting activity with their Chinese peers, symbolically planting seeds of friendship and strengthening the bond between the two countries.
Over 100 Iowa students explore China, build friendships through cultural exchange
