Student Comments

The following are excerpts of journal entries from various participants in the 2004 PAAC Travel Program trip to China!

"I've learned that China is a place that America and the rest of the world needs to be aware of. China is developing so fast as a country; I feel they are working harder than any of us. I feel I need to learn more about China's language and culture because soon they will be taking the lead in many things. This trip was a turning point for me and how I view what I have in my life. I now know why education is so important!"

"Jason made the statement that visiting the school this morning was a turning point in our trip. What do you think he meant by this? Use examples and reasons based on today's interaction to support your answer. --- I think Jason meant that everyone in the group is experiencing what we came to China to experience. Anyone can eat Chinese food, research China, etc. without even visiting the place, but you can't meet Chinese students who don't have it as easy as we do and be able to converse and hang out with them. Today we were able to visit local students in their own environment and observe how they live and learn. We got to sit in their classrooms, see their dorm rooms and eat in their dining room. When we ate, we sat with the Chinese students and got to talk to them. I think that from this experience, we all learned alot just by observing. We as Americans were able to compare alot and I think all of us feel really fortunate after this meeting because unlike the girls we met, we have so many opportunities to do whatever we want. I felt like we were lazy because we don't care as much about school and our education as they do. These girls really helped to change my perspective about education and life in general. I'm going to feel bad if I ever complain about the littlest thing from now on. This one experience has made the trip worth it for me."

" I found Mr. Yun's job very interesting. It's so unique- to work with American, British and European companies to help them establish themselves in China. There really are a ton of unique jobs out there, you just need to explore and find out what they are. Another thing I found interesting about Mr. Yun was his frankness when discussing his attitudes about Americans. He said, ' Americans can be too sure of themselves, coming in and expecting everyone to do things their way.' His comment reminded me of stories my father had told me about living in Japan while in the army about how Americans can be really loud, self-centered and unaware of their environment. I think this is one of the things that make it difficult for Americans to be well-liked around the world. Here, I look at myself and I see how I can act as an American who is self-centered. I think this is just something we all have to improve on."

"Today we went to the Summer Palace of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Yes, it was very beautiful and breathtaking but it was tainted. At first, you are amazed by the beauty but the more I talked and remembered about her, the more angry I got. To me the majestic beauty of the palace means nothing if it was built for an evil and manipulative witch of an empress who never did <!> for her country. In Chinese history, the Qin Emperor was also very cruel and controlling but in unifying China, he did something for his country whereas Ci Xi just wanted power and to flaunt her money. Just think of all the money that went into the Summer Palace, money that could have been saving Chinese lives from starvation and money that could have been improving the living conditions for Chinese people all going to that mean spoiled wretch- Empress Dowager Ci Xi."

"Day two of Nanjing. Historically the city is amazing. Before yesterday I had never even heard of such teror as the Japanese invasion of China. I had never heard of the 'Rape of Nanking'. The things I see and hear about here go pretty deep. Although it is a bit depressing to know that my father's people went out and killed so many of my mother's people right here in this city, somewhere in my heart I feel that being both of Chinese and Japanese descent, it's like turning a new leaf in the history of the world's relationships between countries. I hope that with new generations ties between countries won't be so dependent on politics. Hopefully it will be relationships between people that bridge barriers - political, racial, cultural, and every other barrier existing between people. Then in the future such terrible wars and killing might cease to take place."

"We just got back from a village of Yao minority people living near the Li River. It was really an eye-opening experience. The way the people live, so simply yet they seem so content. We showed up unannounced and they were such friendly and kind people. Visiting the village today made me think how fortunate I am to have all of the things that I do."

"This trip has been so much work. That's good though because I need to be focusing on giving back to this trip rather than getting everything (it's not always just 'me me me' and 'I want'). I want to give back but I feel I couldn't give a gift better than this trip to my PAAC family. I am just so grateful. Thank you so much! Thanks for believing in me and for this gift of a lifetime. If I hadn't come to China I don't think I'd know what to do with my life in Hawaii. In Hawaii, I thought I couldn't get anywhere in life. Coming to China and discovering more of myself, I feel I have grown and changed big time. It just hit me that I was meant to live for so much more.