Young Americans are excited as they arrive at Beijing Olympic Park

Running in Beijing Olympic Park

The young American guests will never forget July 6. It was a hot and sunny day, and it was the day they visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the must-see tourist attraction in Beijing's Huairou District. The guests were students, and their parents and teachers, from Oregon Rhythmic Gymnastics and Dance Academy, in Beaverton, Oregon, the United States. Beijing was the last stop of their nearly three-week exchange and study program in China.

"Finally, I am at the Great Wall!" said Samantha McManama, a 12-year-old girl from Oregon. She was excited when she saw the Great Wall, which she said was more marvelous than she had imagined. McManama and her schoolmates were impressed by Mutianyu, one of the famous sections of the Great Wall, in Beijing. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is renowned for its ancient charm, and for the beautiful natural environment that surrounds it. While the young Americans were walking on the Great Wall, they sometimes had to use both their hands and feet, given the steep and rugged terrain. As an act to implement the initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping, in San Francisco, the United States, in November 2023, of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years, the 20-plus-member group from Oregon was among the young Americans to take part in this initiative. 

Samantha McManama (left) and a schoolmate enjoy their visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall

Using both hands and feet to ascend the Great Wall

Sightseeing, in a skylift

"I Love China! I Love the Great Wall!" — Young Americans, from Oregon, the United States, pose for a group photo

During their 19-day trip, the Americans visited southeast China's Fujian Province, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and finally, the Chinese capital, Beijing. 

Accompanied by Chinese volunteers, from Beijing International Studies University (BISU), the Americans visited several landmark spots, including the Mutianyu Great Wall, the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). They communicated with Chinese students, and they learned about traditional Chinese arts and culture.

Wearing Peking Opera costumes

An American student writes the characters for "China (中国 )" on a fan

While they were visiting Beijing Olympic Park, the American students could be seen appreciating the smart architectural designs of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. They ran happily across the square, under the warm and bright sunlight. Many purchased souvenirs in the creative-products shop, which sold items themed with the Olympic Games. 

The students visited BISU on July 8, when they performed rhythmic gymnastics and dances for Chinese students and teachers. Members of BISU's arts troupe performed Chinese drums and Peking Opera for their new American friends. The young Americans tried on Peking Opera costumes. They also learned basic skills for making Chinese ink-and-wash paintings. On the day of close communications between the Chinese and American students, BISU's campus was filled with laughter — it was a joyous atmosphere. 

"Throughout our whole visit to China, I kept thinking, every day, that we wouldn't have a better experience. But it turned out our experiences each day could always be better than those of the previous day. Here, I am impressed by the great Chinese culture and the hospitality of the Chinese people. If I have a chance to revisit China, I will definitely come again," said Shauna Bryant, one of the students' coaches.

Learning to play a Chinese drum

Students from Oregon perform a dance

Students enjoy eating tanghulu, a snack made from fruits glazed in hard candy and skewered on sticks

Holding the Chinese national flag

Photos by He Guanxin

(Women of China English Monthly August 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha