Young Envoys from Colorado Embark on a Cultural and Ecological Journey in China

From June 3 to June 15, 28 students from Fort Collins, Colorado, a long-time sister region of Hunan Province, participated in a cultural exchange summer camp organized by Huaxing Chinese School and hosted by Hunan University.

With the themes of culture and ecology, the students explored the ancient charm of Changsha, the vibrant wildlife of Yueyang, and the magnificent landscapes of Zhangjiajie. Through these adventures, they unlocked a gateway to understanding the essence of Chinese culture and nature.

Cultural activities immersed the students in local traditions: they walked through the historic Yuelu Academy, admired millennia-old relics at the Hunan Provincial Museum, wandered the serene streets of Jinggang Ancient Town, and visited the Yuan Longping Rice Museum to learn about China’s agricultural innovations. They even tried their hand at Xiang embroidery, gaining a deep appreciation for Chinese aesthetics through this hands-on experience.

Ecological and scientific learning was equally rich: from clean energy storage and waste recycling to urban water monitoring and lake restoration technologies. The students also learned about the conservation of rare species like the Yangtze finless porpoise and the giant panda, witnessing China’s efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Throughout the program, the students deepened their understanding of Chinese culture, history, and social progress while actively participating in rural revitalization practices. Many expressed that the experience broadened their worldview and gave them a more comprehensive and meaningful impression of China. Parents and teachers praised the program for its combination of learning and real-life exploration, calling it a valuable and transformative experience.

Huaxing Chinese School noted that this well-designed and successfully implemented exchange not only strengthened cultural understanding between Chinese and American youth but also opened new channels for grassroots cooperation in ecology and environmental governance. The school looks forward to further U.S.-China collaboration in diverse fields, contributing wisdom and strength to the continued development of a healthy bilateral relationship.