Time: July 26, 2019 (Friday) — August 9, 2019 (Friday)
Location: Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, USA, and surrounding cities (Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill, Durham)
People: Four students from Mainland China and my two daughters
Event: The children participated in an exchange program at a local private school in the U.S. and experienced authentic American life.
Several months have passed since the 2019 Summer Exchange Camp, and I finally have the opportunity to record a reflection. This time, my reflection will not be based on a day-by-day account, but rather focus on our main characters—each of the children. Children are always the main characters in the eyes of parents! “Ladies first!”
Angela – A girl full of sunshine, always smiling, smart, independent, sensible, loves snacks, and enjoys spicy food. The sentence that left the deepest impression on me was, “No need to focus too much on the details.” I am deeply impressed by Angela because, at 11, she left her parents and came to an unfamiliar environment alone. Yet, her smile remained so bright and genuine. She didn’t cry from homesickness, didn’t rely on help, and wasn’t hesitant or shy. She handled everything independently, completely, earnestly, and optimistically. I admire her very much.
I tend to focus on details, which might sometimes make others feel exhausted, though I might not realize it. But when Angela comforted me by saying, “No need to focus too much on the details,” my heart skipped a beat. Her reminder, her comfort, and her observation moved me. Everything adults do and say is seen and felt by the children!
Ori – My eldest daughter, passionate, kind, confident, diligent, and talented in art. Ori is a little artist; whenever she has free time, she enjoys drawing in her notebook and has been consistently learning to improve her skills. She says she wants to become a designer when she grows up, and I am really looking forward to seeing that!
She is the typical big sister—takes care of her younger sister, loves helping others, and is very sensible and considerate. She is diligent and responsible in everything she does. She is my “little warm coat”!
Oka – My youngest daughter, lively, mischievous, and a little ballerina who loves jokes! Oka’s favorite thing is ballet, and she’s been learning it for 6 years. Thankfully, she hasn’t given up—perseverance is really important. In both her class and at home, she’s the adorable little ball of joy. She loves to laugh and enjoys making others laugh, even though she can be a bit shy when meeting someone for the first time.
Terry – A big boy with personality, independence, attentiveness, shyness, and a love for spicy food! When I first met Terry, he seemed sunny, handsome, and always smiling. But after getting to know him, I realized he’s actually a bit introverted and better suited for gradual communication.
It might be because he’s an older brother, but he has his own opinions when doing things and also takes care of his younger brother. Although men often don’t easily show their emotions, when I saw him tying his brother’s shoelaces, I could still feel the warmth of their brotherly bond.
Jerry Liu – A sunny, enthusiastic, handsome guy who loves basketball and enjoys eating meat but doesn’t gain weight! This is Jerry’s second time participating in the exchange camp. He really likes American schools and classmates, and he has left a great impression on both teachers and peers.
The changes in the children over the two years have been quite significant. I’m very happy to see his growth and progress. Let’s all strive to improve every day!
Jerry Zou – A cheerful “meme” who loves to talk and laugh! Jerry is the youngest child in this exchange camp. He is independent, confident, and a cheerful little brother. I apologize for mentioning “loves to laugh” so many times, but just take a look at the photos below, and you’ll understand!
Although my overall impression of Jerry is that he is lively and funny, he certainly has earnest moments as well. His focused demeanor during his English speech is still fresh in my memory.
No amount of words can fully express the significance that the children bring to me. I also hope that “Beegether Education’s” exchange camp has truly opened a door for the children to experience independence, think, learn, and enjoy themselves. As parents and teachers, we have opened this door for the children, and I hope you seize this opportunity to learn and live well!