Trinity Valley School students in Chinese class engaging in an undulating and rhythmic dragon dance Photo:Courtesy of Zeng Zirui

Accompanying China's growing emphasis on student study abroad programs in the US as part of the "San Francisco Vision," my high school, Beijing No. 4 High School International Campus, organized a cultural exchange with Trinity Valley School (TVS) in Fort Worth, Texas. During the visit, I had the opportunity to experience TVS's intercultural learning environment, as well as its athletic and arts programs on campus.

The school's emphasis on multiculturalism unveiled itself when we saw students engaging in an undulating dragon dance outside a classroom, using poles to move a dragon prop around. We also witnessed upper school students leave for a field trip to Chinatown in Richardson, Texas, to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. There, as TVS students Foster Good and Emma Khan recounted, they saw "statues of important historical Chinese figures" and tasted authentic Chinese food like egg yolk cakes.

I saw the interest aroused by the vivacity of the dragon dance and felt the palpable excitement that exuded from the stories about their experience trying traditional Chinese cuisine. It was inspiring and almost ethereal to see TVS students take the time to learn about a cultural landscape different from their own. 

Paradoxically, in a city 10,000 kilometers away from Beijing, I felt close to home. The internationalization of education through a cross-cultural exchange helped me not only seek common ground with students in US, but also learn from our differences. 

Group photo of China-US students Photo:Courtesy of Zeng Zirui

For example, in Mr. Gene Sessa's directing class, we focused on literature written by directors. Unlike most of my classes at school with 27 other students, the small class allowed me to engage with their ideas and share experiences gained from previous plays, bringing the more abstract concepts to life.

At the US school, I saw students balance choir with theater, schoolwork and responsibilities like babysitting. Many had after-school jobs at restaurants, played three different sports and trained with club teams outside of school. They redefined what I understand as commitment and perseverance.

Living with a local family and experiencing a period of incongruence with my life back home challenged my perspective, if only for three weeks, and gave me so many insights into the cultures and customs of people living in the country. I was privileged to shadow Maura Kahuda, a senior at TVS, throughout her daily routines, which has been the most impactful part of the journey. Spending time with her has encouraged blossoming and, indubitably, lifelong friendships; it gave me a new lens through which I could see my own experiences, learn to appreciate what I already have, and aspire to reach so much more.

Mr. Kyle Kahuda, the principal of the Upper School, echoes the values of empathy and understanding that our world at large holds so dear. "International exchange is one of the very best opportunities I've encountered to remind us not only of the world's diversity, but also our inherent unity as humans. Hosting such wonderful and eager students from Beijing High School Number Four was a wonderful chance for the teachers and students of Trinity Valley School to enjoy the beauty and possibility of that dual reality."

Amid a swirl of discussions, languages and laughter, I was blessed with blossoming and, indubitably, lifelong friendships with peer students in the US. I deeply sensed that exchanging culture is an efficient way to bind young people in China and US. It was subtle how we became closer while learning about each other's traditions. 

The opportunity to shadow Maura Kahuda, a senior at TVS, throughout her daily routine gave me a new lens through which I could see my own experiences, appreciate the opportunities I already have, and aspire to reach so much more.

I hope to host TVS students in Beijing in the future and let them glimpse our reality. Together, we can celebrate the sublimity of connection and compassion.

The author is a student at the Beijing No. 4 High School International Campus in Beijing, China.

Exchange students and their hosts at the farewell dinner.Photo:Courtesy of Zeng Zirui