After spending an astounding 42 days on the opposite side of the world, the Xi’an Dragons are preparing to say their goodbyes and return home. The final week was a whirlwind; NSLI-Y scholars started off the week meeting with their language partners one last time, went on two field trips, got caught up on Chinese current events at an RD meeting, danced their worries away at an evening classroom party, took final exams in Chinese class, and then presented a grand total of 93 minutes on their culminating projects!
Here are some of the memories we made as a group during our final week together in Xi’an:
Scholars gather around the instructor as he demonstrates proper technique. (Cole, Phillip, Ben, Linnea, Gillian, Johanna, Nina)
Maureen and Logan painting their Chinese opera masks.
Our scholars show off their arts and crafts at the community center. Activities included painting, calligraphy, sculpting, and paper-cutting.
Scholars also had the opportunity to watch a traditional Chinese shadow play put on by local experts at the community center.
We played 天黑请闭眼 (a party game known in the U.S. as “Mafia”) at the student-organized Dragons dance.
NSLI-Y scholars showcase their paper-plate awards, designed and crafted by their peers. Each award is unique; students enjoyed sharing their memories of each other and highlighting their achievements.
Audra, Easton, and Jacqueline demonstrate how to pack tea leaves into bricks for final sale.
Jacob and Sam show that with teamwork, anything is possible.