Recently, 10 students from Glen Ridge High School of New Jersey came to Hangzhou and spent a couple of days with the students of Yucai Middle School in Hangzhou. The American students took Chinese class, English class and calligraphy class alongside their Chinese classmates; they came prepared to experience Chinese-style education.
Alex, one of the 10 students from Glen Ridge, remarked that his Chinese classmates were quite serious about their studies and warm toward the American students. Although he has studied Chinese in the U.S. for three years, the ancient poems his classmates created in Chinese class were still beyond his comprehension. Compared to in the U.S., Alex also noticed that there are more students per class in China, and the Chinese students focus more closely on their studies during class.
Alex said that he was shocked to find an iPad on the desk of every student. Many of the American students were stunned by the advanced equipment and facilities this Chinese school had. In the afternoon, the students from the U.S. took part in an activity to learn about Chinese tea culture. The students sat cross-legged on the lawn, tasting green tea while listening to zither-like guzheng music. After school, the American students returned with their Chinese classmates to homestays. They did not feel surprised when they were told to get up at 6:30 a.m. and go to sleep at 9:30 p.m., as their first class each morning in the U.S. is scheduled at 8:30 a.m.
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