Students Learn About Culture, Generosity and Being Thankful During Trip to China

For many students and staff at Canton High School, one aspect stands out most about the Chinese – their generosity.

During a recent trip to China and a follow-up visit from Chinese students and administrators, gifts were plentiful.

In fact, during a Canton staff recognition dinner, school officials presented the Chinese delegation with some gifts - only to get several in return, including a book of pictures from this year’s Canton High School trip to China.

“Don’t even try to out give the Chinese,” Canton High School Principal Gary Gula said at the event.

That delegation was from the Affiliated Middle School of Jining Institute, a sister school to Canton since 2006. And the administrators and students from the school came to town just weeks after 13 students from Canton, and some from Housatonic Regional Valley High School, got the chance to spend two weeks in China. 

Both visits included home stays, with some of the Canton students hosting the same Chinese students they stayed with. 

Sophomore Scott Carlson said the host families and everyone they met were welcoming.

“They were incredibly accommodating,” Carlson said. “They want to learn about us as much as we want to learn about them.”

The Chinese hosts were extremely generous during the visit, giving gifts even if they didn’t have much themselves, said Brett Gottheimer, chorus teacher and one of two chaperones for the Canton trip.

“It’s just who they are,” he said.

The Canton kids also received a lot of attention.

“I think being in the minority was a big difference to a lot of them,” Gottheimer said.

Canton High School Sophomore Sarah Allen enjoyed the visits and agreed it was almost hard to get used to the attention from the Chinese.

“They were all so kind and excited to see us,” she said.  “They basically treated us like celebrities.”

“They (Canton students) just felt they were welcome wherever they went,” said social studies teacher Kerry Hartley, the other chaperone for the trip.

Students and teachers on the trip were also struck by the cultural aspects of China, which offered quite the mix of similarities and differences. 

The Chinese are extremely proud of their academic achievements, dedicating a whole wing to them, much as many schools here do to victories on the sports field.

The Chinese school was also large, hosting some 4 to 5,000 students and 400 teachers.

Other differences were striking. While teachers had 60 to 70 students in a class, they also taught just two a day.

“I think their ability to prepare is stronger,” Hartley added. “What they get in two classes, I may see across five.”

Another difference was the condition of the school itself, which teachers said would likely not be accredited in the United States.

“And yet the kids are learning and are succeeding,” Gottheimer said.

However, due to population and cultural differences, many students in China do not have equal access to all educational opportunities.

“The top 10 percent get opportunities all our students get,” Gottheimer said.

Those that do, have a lot of responsibility, however, including huge amounts of homework.

Extra curricular activities are virtually non-existent and sports limited.

Those that are involved in activities such as music are extremely dedicated, however.

“They practice a lot and focus on things,” Allen said.

Of course, the Canton students spent much time outside the classroom, visiting a plethora of sites like Ming Tomb, the Great Wall of China and Temple of Heaven. 

“If it was considered historical or culturally significant it was on that trip,” Hartley said.

When it came to cities and modern technology, things were sometimes reminiscent of life in the United States.

“What’s striking is how similar things were,” Gottheimer said. “You felt at times, you could be in New York City.”

But there was a mix, Hartley added. Sometimes technology was side by side with “old world” aspects like vegetable carts and rickshaw drivers.

“You could see the old world and new world and it just blended,” she said.

And in some areas, things Americans are used to -  such as clean water - were scarce.

“I think what stood out the was the things we take for granted,” Carlson said. “We live in a very protected part of the world.”

Gottheimer feels the students did learn from that.

“They appreciate what they have more,” Gottheimer said.

Other experiences were just fun – or unusual.

Allen said octopus was the most unusual food she tried.

It was not her favorite part of the trip but she is glad she went.

“It was a lot of fun; I would definitely do it again,” Allen said.  “I thought it was a really good opportunity to travel and see another part of the world.” 

Gottheimer’s photos from the trip can be seen here and Hartley’s blog here.