The Abingdonian 2019

15 www.abingdon.org.uk Michaelmas Term The final leg of our adventure in China began with another train journey from Xi’an back to Beijing. Much like on the first leg to Xi’an, the train compartments were small and yet comfortable enough for the trip. It proved a perfect opportunity for us to practise some of our Mandarin oral questions with our teacher, whether we liked it or not!. We arrived just past seven the next morning and we set off straight for Beijing No.9 Middle School located in west Beijing. The morning began with a nice welcome by the first year students (equivalent to our fifth year) the moment we arrived. After that we had some time to talk and share thoughts on the differences and similarities between China and Britain. It was truly fascinating to find out just how dedicated these students, and students throughout China, are to their education. School begins every morning at 7am. Each day the students have eight one hour lessons with one break and lunch. During these breaks they play in the schoolyard, and many run 2km each day! Following this we had several lessons where we learned a lot about Chinese history and culture, from a fascinating lesson on the face masks of the Beijing Opera and the significance of the multitude of colours to a course in making lucky knots and bracelets. Perhaps the most fun part of the day was the lion dancing. A fundamental part of Chinese dramatics, lion dancing is both fascinating historically and absolutely hilarious to take part in. This was followed by a great martial arts class in which some excelled more than others (I found it a somewhat less natural art). The next day was probably the one we will all have the fondest memories of. One whole day was spent with exchange partners. During it we all did different things, some in groups and others alone with their partners but, no matter what was done, be it visiting Tiananmen Square again, visiting some of the most beautiful temples in China, or eating some traditional Chinese snacks or homemade dumplings, it was an experience like no other. What’s more, we all learnt some fundamental and useful conversational Chinese and got a view into the lives of our exchanges. I can say for sure that we all learnt something interesting and new that day and our views of China have also changed. The following day was our final full day. In the morning we went to the famous zoo in Beijing and got, after a long wait, a peak at the infamous Giant Pandas and several other animals only ever seen in China. In the afternoon, after lunch where we tasted Beijing duck (it was absolutely amazing), we went to see a more modern part of China, very much the future of China, at an art village set in an old factory. This not only proved a chance to see the new, youthful China, but it also was an opportunity to buy some essential gifts for our families and friends. On the morning of 22 October we set off after an early breakfast to the airport where we boarded the plane and flew back home. This trip was an eye-opening experience that allowed us to see the China we always hear about and, most importantly, proved an opportunity to speak the language, immerse ourselves in the culture, and give us a boost and motivation to continue to learn this fascinating language. I would like to give a big thank you to Zhang Lao Shi for organising the trip, Senora Pradas for accompanying us, Ling Lao Shi, our fantastic tour leader in China, and, of course, all our guides throughout the trip, the exchange partners and their families. Thank you all for a one of a kind trip! We can’t wait to go back! Johan Nerlov, 5NP and Maximilian Weaver, 5EPB