Ever since I started learning Chinese in Jericho, I have been looking forward to Jericho High School’s exchange program. As someone who loves to travel and experience new things, I dreamed of travelling to China to meet my exchange partner. Unfortunately — because of the coronavirus pandemic — this year’s Sophomore class was unable to travel to China. However, the Chinese Honor Society implemented a virtual exchange program that I am fortunate to be a part of. In the program, students are assigned an exchange student who lives in Xi’an, China based on their age and interests, whom they can communicate with via the free app DingTalk. American students message their partners in Chinese, and Chinese students message their partners in English, so everyone can practice their language skills.
I have been a part of their program since October, and I think it is a great experience. My partner and I communicate on a daily basis, talking about everything from the weather to what we are learning in school. We also often exchange tips about language learning and speaking skills. But, my favorite part of this program is learning about Chinese culture. In particular, I learned a lot about Chinese New Year from my partner, who has messaged me about how her family prepared for the festival and what they ate at the New Year’s dinner. Messaging my partner is something that I look forward to on a daily basis. I find it amazing that through this program, I was able to meet a new friend who lives in China!
All in all, I am extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to take part in this program, especially because so many things are being cancelled due to the pandemic, I’m glad that the exchange program was able to run. In this program, I have not only had a lot of fun messaging my partner, or creating videos about life in American school, but I have learned a lot about Chinese language and culture. If you are not already a member of the program, I highly recommend you join. Especially considering the current circumstances we live under, it is more important than ever to communicate and connect with those around us.
If you are interested, you can email Mrs. Song at asong@jerichoapps.org, or CHS co-presidents Kaydence and Gloria at kaydence.he@jerichoapps.org and gloria.cheng@jerichoapps.org.
This was a great article, Jessica! I was also part of the exchange program and loved it as well! I agree with you, in that it was amazing to be able to virtually connect with students around our age from Xi’an. I felt like the exchange program allowed for a more extended learning opportunity because we became more familiar with Chinese culture through conversations with our partners. I definitely learned many new things about life in Xi’an as opposed to here from my partner, and I overall really enjoyed the program!
Great article! It is so cool to see how people are still communicating and making the most of the terrible situation we are facing right now. There was a China trip last year for the students to meet their exchange students. I did not go and I really regret it because I think that this kind of opportunity is very rare and special. I also agree with you that communication is extremely important, especially right now.
Great article, Jess! I also had a lot of fun talking to my exchange partner, and it actually turned out we had a lot in common. I definitely really enjoyed this program, and plan on continuing my friendship with the exchange students from Xi’An.
Your article was very informative I thought the trip sounded like so much fun. I hope to one day attend to learn and experience because I have not been to China before.
Great article! I definitely agree that the exchange program is an amazing experience. It is a privilege and I sincerely thank Ms. Song and the Chinese Honor Society for it. I hope to one day meet my partner in person.
这篇文章非常好。因为我也参加了交换生项目，所以我也有些感同身受。这个项目不仅让我们学习了不少中国文化，也让我们更加觉得中文的重要性。
Great article. Although we didn’t get to have an in person trip this year, its great to see what type of things people did to stay connected. Hopefully next year we can have a trip in person so people can experience what its like. Although I didn’t go on the trip when it was available, I do think its a good opportunity for whoever is interested.
this was a great article! thank you for sharing your experience of the virtual chinese exchange program! i as well was part of the program and i can agree with you that the bonds we make with our exchange partner is fascinating and new! being able to exchange ideas, language, culture, and your day to day life is exciting for both you and your exchange partner! the exchange program allowed us to learn more about the chinese culture more personally instead of reading it off a paper, which allows us to get a first person view of what it’s like to live in china!
This is a great way to be more intact with chinese culture! This program would be exciting for many!
我也做这个exchange program！我最喜欢exchange program因为我可以学中文化。我和我的`exchange program朋友是最好朋友。
如果我没去了exchange program,我觉得你的故事是很好的。我的朋友还说这个exchange program,是很好的。我要去on exchange program.
这个article很有意思！我很想做exchange program，但是因为covid我可能不。你的故事很很好读。