In the penultimate week of the NSLI-Y Xi’an program, things are certainly heating up (and it’s not just the weather here!). This week, our diligent NSLI-Y scholars were busy conducting interviews for their culminating project presentations, which will take place next week. Not only this, they have also begun memorizing phrases and reviewing for their final oral assessment in Chinese class, which will take place next Friday.
Aside from this, we had an eventful week! We kicked off the week Monday afternoon when students, along with their language partners, were challenged to create short skits using a singular given line as a starting point. We closed the week with our weekly Resident Director meeting on Friday, during which students engaged in stimulating dialogue about both external and internal representations of Chinese culture as well as ethnocentrism, among other things. Scholars also practiced traditional Chinese knot-tying as well as calligraphy this week. The highlight of the week was definitely Wednesday, when students had the opportunity to visit a village and interact with young students there.
A grinning Audra proudly displays her work in progress: a key-ring holder completed using traditional Chinese knot-tying techniques students were taught.
A focused Gillian and Logan and their classmates work on their knot-tying.
Wednesday, the week’s high point, was when students had the opportunity to visit the rural outskirts of the town Weinan (fun fact: this is the hometown of current Chinese President Xi Jinping!). They were welcomed with the enthusiastic cheers of young students as well as a semi-successful demonstration of an interesting talent by a local – throwing cards (like throwing stars) into fruits such as pears and watermelons. It was in this village that students interacted with children (“liúshǒu’értóng”) who live and study in the countryside while their parents work in the city; activities ranged from singing to drawing. It was certainly a bittersweet parting; our students had such an enjoyable time with their new little friends!
A banner reads, “A warm welcome to our American friends to our school,” upon arriving to the rural boarding school.
Students Logan, Gillian, Phillip, and Maureen enjoy fresh fruit and candies after being welcomed to the school in Weinan.
Led by Linnea on guitar, Phillip, Gillian, and Maureen along with some Panda students lead their new friends in singing some songs.
Nina, Cole, and Audra engage young students in a drawing activity!
Cameron capturing lasting memories with his young buddies in a selfie!
Students Jacqueline, Amaya, and Easton attentively watch as the calligraphy teacher provides them with additional instruction on how to approach painting a stroke.
Johanna getting a one-on-one demonstration of the “natural flow” of calligraphy strokes!
Students Ben, Stephanie, and Sam show off the “dab,” a fun American dance move, to their new friends.