China
“ It was great to experience the cultural differences and use the Mandarin we’ve learned to talk to native speakers.” –Jeniffer Rodriguez ’18
PHOTO: ISABEL SHEN
For the 13 students who traveled to China, it was like spending 11 days in another world, observes former MS Mandarin teacher Maya Wang, who led the group along with chaperones Jono Hustis, Isabel Shen, Eric Massa and Anneka Ward. The contingent made stops in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai, enjoying local food and exploring magnificent historic spots—including the Great Wall of China. “It was great to experience the cultural differences and use the Mandarin we’ve learned to talk to native speakers,” says Jeniffer Rodriguez ’18. In a visit to a school that Maya had discovered on an earlier exploratory trip, Calhoun eighth graders exchanged stories with Chinese students about academics, sports and even Justin Bieber. “We live in a bubble in New York,” observes Maya. “For our students to see what a student’s life is like in China was truly invaluable.” US Mandarin teacher Xiaolin Lin, who is teaching those same students now that they’re in ninth grade, says the immersion trip is paying immediate dividends in the classroom. “The students who went to China are doing a great job in Mandarin II,” she says. “Their experience boosted their confidence and rekindled their passion for the language.”
(Top) Patricia Santos, Talia Kurlansky and Lillian Remler pose in front of the Summer Palace. (Bottom) Calhoun’s contingent of explorers jump for joy outside the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
WINTER 2015