Special Guest, Matt Nink of GYLI

Earlier this month, we were delighted to welcome our old friend, Mr. Matt Nink, Director of GYLI (Global Youth Leadership Institute) to Ursuline. Mr. Nink was at UA to plan for future collaborations and to inform students about the many excellent opportunities that are available to them through GYLI and Ursuline (check out gyli.org for more details). Last year, two of our Ursuline juniors, Marisela and Sara,  attended GYLI's Year Two program in New Mexico. They came back inspired to do something to benefit the UA community and to raise our level of environmental consciousness. As a result, the Permaculture club was born and we now have a thriving garden on campus! During his visit, Mr. Nink was thrilled to meet with the Permaculture students and to celebrate the first tomatoes of spring!

Spring is in the air!

Marisela shows off the first tomato

Our UA Garden !

Mr. Nink, Ms. Merani and Permaculture Club members

Farewell Huaxia!!

As much as we weren't ready for it, our day of Farewell to Huaxia came all too quickly on Saturday. First came lots of laughs with deep expressions of friendship and gratitude, then came more gifts and a final huge banquet and then... the tears ... so, so many tears! And they weren't cute, gentle tears - it was a literal flood of emotion. Be glad that you weren't there because not one of us who was present managed to escape "the ugly cry." 

Now that we are almost home, we realize what a precious and fleeting experience our delegation trip has been and we already miss our dear friends back in Beijing.  We've made memories to last a  lifetime and we can't wait to share more photos and details with our school community when we are back in Dallas. Most of all, we look forward to welcoming Huaxia to UA in October. Xie Xie!

Our delegation with all of our Huaxia hosts

Our farewell included a wonderful and spirited talent show

A Huaxia student honored us with a Chinese fan dance

Our seniors entertained with their freshman dance

Alex and her host sister made us all laugh and cry with this beautiful duet

 

You can see how much the crowd loved their duet!

More gorgeous gifts for Ursuline Academy

A final delicious buffet prepared by the Huaxia school cafeteria

One of many gifts from a host family was a traditional Chinese portrait - Can you recognize this student?

Students of Chinese Language thanked Dr. Yang for her years of dedication and inspiration (here's where the crying began)

Another huge gift - one of several giant photos which Caroline is bringing back to Dallas

Saying goodbye...

Morgan hugs her host mom goodbye

Soooo hard to leave

And so very sad as well ...

Friends forever

Bye Bye Huaxia - we're waiting for you in Dallas!!

Another student voice : Mattie B.

Mattie poses in front of one of the pavilions in Confucious' memorial home

Student Mattie B. brings a unique perspective and experience to our delegation. Mattie was born in China and was adopted into an American family in the USA when she was a baby. Here is what she had to say about her visit to China, the land where she was born:

 The most frequently asked question I have been asked during this trip besides "Are you Chinese?" is "What is it like being back?" For me, being back is more like coming to China for the first time. I was only ten months old when I left and I don't remember a thing about it. I count myself a tourist because I'm totally and completely American. However, a lot of people have recognized that I'm Chinese, and, for the most part, I blend in.

I've learned that the Chinese aren't bashful and won't be afraid to come up to you and say, "You from China?" or just merely say "made in China." I've also learned to make it clear that I only speak English because they will always try to speak to me. Knowing little Chinese, I just stare at them until they either walk away or I say that I don't speak Chinese. This seem to confuse a lot of them, and a lot of times they just continue with speaking Chinese until I say "wo by dong" (I don't understand). This seems to be when they give up and walk away.

All in all I've had a lot of fun back in China. It's always a learning experience to be in the place where your ancestors are from. My host family was amazing and leaving them was so much harder than I expected. We really grew attached to each other and I will never forget them. Luckily, my host sister applied to go to Ursuline in the Fall so fingers crossed that she will come to the USA to see what we are all about. The sites and memories that I have from this delegation will stay with me forever. Today we are going to sightsee in Shanghai and I can't wait! Last night we took a river cruise and everyone was in awe of how modern and lit up Shanghai is. We are going to visit the Wu Garden the TV Tower and other places. Then we'll be on the plane to LAX then DFW!! So good bye for now, we'll see y'all back in Texas!

Student Voices - Megan and Lelesse

Lelesse with a beautiful hand-painted (by a Huaxia student) gift

One of our junior delegation members, Lelesse, is considering a career in medicine. For this reason, she asked if she could visit a Chinese hospital while we are here. Her host mother, a nurse, arranged for a brief hospital tour and here is what Lelesse had to say about the experience:    

There were two noticeble differences between American and Chinese hospitals that I observed during the short time I spent at the Chinese hospital. First, the standards of cleanliness are very different. I wondered if it would take patients longer to recover in a Chinese hospital. Secondly, the Chinese hospital seemed more convenient and accessible than an American Hospital. For example, everything is in one place - the pharmacy was only 10 feet from the doctor's office!

My most significant observation was that the Chinese use and accept both modern Western and traditional Chinese medicine. They are accepting of other countries' methods but they also remain true to their original traditions and beliefs. I am so grateful for this insightful learning experience!!





Megan thanks her sisters at Huaxia during our farewell

 Megan is one of our seniors and an accomplished and excellent speaker of Chinese (despite what she may say). She has been to China in the past so we asked her - How does this experience compare with your other trip to China?

Last summer I had the privilege of coming to China with the organization "Me to We", a Canada-based group which facilitates trips for teens to work in impoverished communities all over the world. That trip was an eye-opening look into the conditions in which so much of China's population lives. However, in a way, we were still in a bubble of English-speakers from similar backgrounds. Before coming on this trip, I could never have imagined what it would be like to be on my own, living in someones home with limited language skills and little concept of what life in Beijing is really like for these Huaxia students. But in a word, it's been amazing. Even though this is my fourth year studying Chinese, I could hardly even come up with "Ni Hao" (hello) upon meeting my host family! It was as though I had forgotten everything and five minutes in the car with my Chinese family was all it took to prove what little Chinese I know! ... This is the first time I've put my Chinese to use and have seen the results of my practice...

Another thing ... I've never had hosts so attentive to me!! I've practically forgotten the sensation of hunger! ... I've been so blown away by the kindness and hospitality of my family - and everyone else I have encountered here! It's been incredible getting to see how a girl my age in a similar school and family lives on the other side of the world. I have some amazing memories to bring home with me !

Climbing Mount Tai

On Thursday, it was finally time for our excursion outside of Beijing to Tai Mountain, the first of five sacred mountains in China. ClimbingTai Mountain was one of the things that our group was most excited to do but we soon learned that it wasn't going to be so easy. Nevertheless, along with our friends from Huaxia, we persevered and managed to reach the temple at the top! Our legs are still sore but we feel very proud to have completed this challenge !



Leaving on the bullet train - Tai Mountain is about 3 hours South of Beijing on the train (going toward Shanghai)

Our host families sent a few snacks with us

More snacks, just in case...

About to climb to the top with our friends from Huaxia

While we were enjoying a leisurely climb, Ms. Nipp & Dr. Yang risked their lives on these terrifying cable cars

Our gentle path up the mountain

Jennifer is a trooper!

Keepin' it movin'

Our freshmen made it to the top!!

We needed some nourishment along the way (pancakes with egg, onion & duck sauce)

Caroline & Sarah weren't even winded

We saw many new and ancient things including this technique for breaking walnuts

Yay! for us and for our new friends!

A rainy day in Beijing

As you can see from our photos below, Tuesday provided our group with some serious challenges. Not only was it a rainy day but it was also extremely cold and windy. Nevertheless, our group carried on with our tour of Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, two of China's most important historical sites.

By the end of the afternoon, we were more than ready for a dry and indoor activity so we were thrilled to visit the silk factory where our group saw all of the steps in the silk making process, including the work of the silworms themselves!

Even though it was a difficult day in some ways, we still had a fantastic time and we also learned a lot about Chinese history and about silk, one of the most beautiful and ancient products produced in China.

Keeping a good attitude despite the conditions

Leaving Tiananmen and walking to the Forbidden City

Alex and Sarah, patiently waiting to enter the Heavenly Gate...

Caroline & Mattie, inside the Forbidden City

Can you see us? Our guide, Richard, is in yellow holding the Dragon flag and we are following behind

Enjoying an almost-dry moment

Taking turns peeking in the Emperor's quarters while Mattie contemplates the rain 

We were not alone at The Forbidden City

Learning about silk production



Curious students happy to be inside away from the pouring rain



 



Life with my Huaxia Host Family by Sabrina F.

Sabrina is welcomed by her host sister at Beijing International Airport

We asked Sabrina, the youngest of our delegation members, to share her thoughts about living with her Chinese host family. Here is what she had to say:

My host family wants me to feel like a part of their family as much as possible. For example, they got me a fork! They also bought a special translator to ensure our communication throughout the trip. During the first days with my host family, they took me to do a lot of sightseeing. We went to the zoo to see pandas, the Beijing Lake, the Pearl Market and many traditional restaurants. I have to say that my favorite part of the day is spending time with my "new family members." My family is also encouraging me to try Chinese cuisine but I usually can't eat it all because I get so full! They always tell me "Chinese have big stomach, Sabrina have small stomach." I know that all of these things are very simple but these are the things that make me feel more comfortable in a brand new environment. I hope that my host sister will come to America and that I will be able to host her back. This will give me the chance to show her the same warmth and compassion that her family has shown to me these past few days.

A million thanks to Sabrina for sharing her host family experience with us!

Life at Huaxia Girls' Academy

It's so much fun to watch the casual interaction between our Ursuline girls and the Huaxia Girls as they build friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few special and relaxed moments from around Huaxia that we thought you would like to see...  

"Hanging Out" while two Huaxia classes compete for an athletic award

Laughing with new friends

Ashley and her Huaxia host sister

Huaxia faculty member and her daughter

A serious review of the events of the day

Going home after a long day