There is no difference in people

We have had an amazing day of sharing. We spent the entire morning in a drawing class where even I (a non-drawer) was made to feel that I had talent. The art class was comprised of over 50 students. This is a normal class size. The students were grouped into four areas and all drawing a still life (all very different - an arrangement of leaves, an arrangement of pottery, a glass and a bottle, and an arrangement of vases). The work was absolutely amazing. The students have two days to create a finished work of art and that is all they do in their lessons for those two days. My understanding is that the art students, in order to go to a college, will have one opportunity to show that they can create a work of art. Their final exam consists of one drawing that they create on site. Their score on this work of art is the determinate of their future. The intensity of the focus and the product result is evidence of their passion for learning after high school.

The art teacher, like many of her peers in other content areas, wears a microphone for projection purposes. With 50 to 60 students, projection of the voice can be a challenge. Classroom management is fairly tricky but the students, for the most part, are on task and focused due to the level of accountability to their final test. We were provided with a variety of gifts from the art students and are going to be painting with more in the afternoon. We will also be creating toys with the students. All of these activities are part of the Chinese art curriculum. I am excited to bring home examples to share with our art teachers.

The content areas in this school encompass business, fashion design and production, automotive repair, computer technology, and academics. Students are taught a skill that they can then use to become a productive member of society. Those that have the top skills are eligible to compete for a spot at the college level but the competition is fierce. Only 6% of Chinese students attend post-secondary education and most of this population is strictly for academia.

Our day of learning will end w/ a home visit where we will make rice dumplings with a student's family from the school. It is fun to be a part of such a phenomenal experience. One of the teachers said to me that "The children are not different at all. They do not get involved in the politics and are eager to learn for one another." I agree with this teacher. Our students and the Chinese students have been the depiction of friendship. Every interaction is accompanied with laughter, smiles and learning. The Chinese students cannot get enough information from our students and they are so incredibly considerate. Pleasing their guests is the primary mode of operation.

The generosity and the graciousness of our host school has been overwhelming. We want for naught.