Postscript Of Program About Exchange Students Between Department Of Physical Education Of Zhejiang University And University Of Northern Lowa American
During November 16-23,2013, a delegation of School of Health, Physical Education, & Leisure Services, University of Northern Iowa visited College Of Education, Zhejiang University. In this exchange program which extended a week, Department of Physical Education offered six courses as well as one seminar to students of HPELS, offered them a platform to communicate in deep.
This activity gave the six students of HPELS who came to China first a deep impression. They picked up a pen to record the thoughts of this exchange activity.
In this brief but fulfilling week, exchange students had a full exchange of visits at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, felt the profound of Chinese culture, the humble and polite of Chinese’s people. Every corner of Hangzhou seems to have a breath of life which never be experienced by the United States. Of cause, the most impressive is the teachers and students of College of Education. Both sides have forged a profound friendship in this program. Students of HPELS shown deeply grateful on the meticulous care offered by teachers and students. Besides, they also look forward to a return visit to UNI as soon as possible, and hope to explore future academic and work goals from the aspect of cultural difference of Chinese and America
The six students felt great difference in many aspects such as the geographical environment, social systems, historical and cultural background and values, and the “difference” was mentioned invariably in the feedback of all six students.
In 2011, School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services, University of Northern Iowa signed a cooperation as well as exchange agreement with College of Education, Zhejiang University and expanded cooperation in academic exchanges, teacher-student visits, research cooperation, seminars and other areas of cooperation. This visit activity was the first time for both sides to carry out thorough physical cultural & academic exchange activities since the agreement was signed. It offered an opportunity & potential for students of HPELS to study in China as well as our undergraduate & graduate students to communicate with others in the United States. It also lays a new foundation for future further cooperation.
Here are some feedbacks from students of HPELS:
Traveling is nothing new to me, but traveling to China was an experience that has been like no other to me. This was my first time traveling to China. I think the trip positively impacted me not only as a student, but as a young professional working in the field of health promotion. My favorite part of the trip was meeting the students. Jenny and Andy were so accommodating, and communicating with the other graduate and undergraduate students really allowed me to learn the Chinese culture. I am appreciative that my first Chinese experience was spent at a university, and I do not anticipate this to be my last time visiting China.
——AshtonDeMoss,University of Northern Iowa Graduate Student
How was China? is the question I've heard countless times since being back home and the first thing that I always have to tell everyone is how kind and friendly the Chinese are. I tell them to think of the nicest person they know and then multiply their kindness by 1000 and you would have a Chinese person. I loved talking to everyone and learning things about them and their life living in China. My favorite part of the entire trip was the new friends I made, both Chinese and American. I had an unforgettable time and I can't thank you all enough for the amazing experience!
——Jessica
This trip truly was a once in a lifetime experience, and I am SO incredibly grateful for it! I met so many amazing people that I have been keeping in touch with regularly since I returned to the States. Interacting with Chinese students was so awesome! Even despite some minor language barriers, we talked, and joked, and laughed together for hours that seemed like mere minutes. It was so interesting to learn about the Chinese culture, and their views on certain topics, and to share my experiences and opinions with them as well. I can honestly say China is home to some of the friendliest and most hospitable people I have ever met. I sincerely hope Zhejiang University can send a group of students to UNI in the near future, because I already miss my new friends and would LOVE to see them as soon as possible!
——Rebecca
Sitting in my seat on the plane ride over I recall being full of wonder of the week that lay ahead of me. The same that happens anytime you are en route to visit a country and culture you've never had the chance to experience. As Americans, we constantly have these ideas running around our heads of what we think another culture may be like, according to what our society has symbolized it to be. I have to say I couldn't be more pleased at how different it was from my imagination. The Chinese culture and people are so full of life! I was in love with the surroundings, how there could be such a massive city with such incredibly tall buildings, that had so much greenery all around! The trees and shrubbery were so beautiful, it amazes me that I can find differences in trees to be so intriguing, but it was! We were treated to such nice dinners where we were able to try foods that seemed to us so exotic. My parents still can't believe I tried a chicken leg! But most of all, there are two things that I will remember most from this trip. First were the opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas with students from multiple classrooms in Hangzhou's great university. The students I was able to meet and discuss my feelings and ideas about physical education have left a forever mark on my heart and have given me even more passion to continue in my career path. Second was our gracious hosts, Dr. Zhou, Jenny, Andy and the others at the Xi Xi campus of Zhejiang University. They were so kind, caring, and there to help us with any need we might have. They did everything they possibly could to make sure that this trip was an unforgettable experience for us all. They succeeded in that goal and more and I couldn't be more thankful. I'm excited to keep in touch with all of my new Chinese friends and see where life takes them.
——Callyn Mason
The trip to China was truly an eye opening experience. I am very grateful for being able to immerse myself in this new culture. One of the most beneficial aspects of the trip was having the opportunity to converse and discuss with the Zhejiang University students. I can definitely say that I have gained a vast amount of knowledge about the Chinese culture and a new insight on life in general. I think that many Americans have this preconceived notion that the American way is the “correct way” and other cultures need to adapt to our lifestyles. However, I have been reassured through this experience that there is not one culture that overpowers the others. Each country and the people within those countries have unique beliefs, traditions, and practices which make this world so interesting and beautiful. The conversations we shared with the students in China were once in a lifetime moments that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It was amazing how much we could relate to students from a very different part of the world in regards to our research interests, passions, and future career goals. Throughout our conversations, I continuously noticed the shared commonality of promoting health and preventing disease and injury. It was clear that all of us shared a similar passion of helping others to have a better quality of life.
In addition to the classroom discussion, I really enjoyed watching the Wushu and gymnastics practices and demonstrations. I could not believe the talent and skills these university students possessed. Their dedication to these sports was very inspiring and I admire their determination to improve their already excellent skills and abilities. Another part of the trip that I thoroughly enjoyed was experiencing the culture of Hangzhou, China. Being able to experience traditional Chinese food, communicate with the professors, spend time at the West Lake, and visit the silk market and other shopping centers made me appreciate the uniqueness of a place like Hangzhou, China. I would like to thank everyone from Zhejiang University who helped to make this trip possible. I hope that the relationship between the University of Northern Iowa and Zhejiang University continues to thrive, and more students from both Hangzhou and the U.S. can have the opportunity to embark on a similar learning and cultural experience.
——Shawna Haislet
In the days following my return from China, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. Not only was our trip to China a ‘whirlwind’ experience full of new sights, smells and tastes, but the places I traveled within my own mind brought on by all our physical escapades proved instrumental in teaching me lessons about myself and humanity.
While in Hangzhou, I could not get over how kind everybody was! I never once felt threatened or intimidated by the people whose paths I crossed. One would think that a city of approximately eight million people would appear to the naked eye as dirty and unkempt, but where we traveled was surprisingly clean and GREEN. I did not anticipate seeing as many trees and other green space as I did while in such a large, populated city.
The most far-reaching message that spoke to me during my time in Hangzhou was that the people (of all ages) seemed to understand at an intuitive level that hard work achieves success, and that there is always more work to be done. The kids we got to interact with that Sunday afternoon at the barbeque gave off the impression that they LOVED school and already have high goals and hopes for their future in the working world. What a night and day contrast to a lot of the kids in the US.
There is one idea that continues to flood my mind upon my return. Here we are (the United States of America) and there’s China to the far east on the other side of the world (essentially, the east and west); two incredibly powerful nations co-existing in the same world, each peoples ‘breathing the same air’, each nation’s people having their own doubts and experiencing ‘life’ through a similar biological and cognitive ‘structure’. Yet, I can’t help but notice a profound difference in the way the two nations function, or merely live. Yes, there are the similarities. We all love McDonalds and each enjoy our own delicacies. But, does the gap that continues to separate our nations fall somewhere in the arena of education? Family dynamic? Whatever it is, I believe the answer is rooted deep in the fundamentals of each respective country, no one right or wrong, just DIFFRERENT. But the idea that just a physical (geographical) separation of two masses of land can create and sustain a people so wildly different, yet STILL be the same in ways characteristic of ALL humans in that we all NEED LOVE, and have this deep drive to succeed and climb some hierarchal ladder (to an extent) fascinates me.
I wish everybody were granted the opportunity to travel to a foreign country. It is worth everybody’s time to realize that the US is not the only country in the world.
——Abigail Breitbach
