August 8, 2007
My China experience will come to an end in a couple of days. I recently returned from Sanxia (The Three Gorges) and I have truly experienced the China that I wanted to. The Three Gorges reminded me of the ancient Chinese scrolls and paintings that I saw and read about in art history. The scenery was breathtaking and the environment was tranquil. I also got to see the Three Gorges Dam, which will be the largest dam in the world when it is completed. I can’t help but feel a little bit sad that my experience will be over soon. There was so much more that I wanted to see and do. My teaching experience has been great! I didn’t realize how difficult it is to teach children. It is even harder to teach children from a culture that is much different than your own. I have learned so much about the Chinese culture through my experience with New Oriental School and the students. I have a new found respect for language learning and I realize how difficult it can be to learn a language that is totally different from your own. Although, not significantly, I can say that my Chinese has improved. I have also become more interested in Chinese history and China’s economic development. Despite China’s economic development many Chinese still hold on to their core traditions and values. I cannot say if this will help to advance their economic development or hinder it. What I can say is that through my experience teaching at the New Oriental School, I believe that I have given my students a different perception of black people in America and in general. I believe the Chinese have a long way to go in their understanding of black people and of Americans because their views come from the media and we all know that that’s not the best place to get accurate information. I am so proud of myself for taking this journey and I am a different person because of it. I will always remember the people I met and the places I saw. All of the interns have had a different experience here in China, some good and some bad. There were times when we wanted to be back in the U.S. and there were times where we felt right at home.
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