This summer, three women from our community had an extraordinary opportunity to visit China as part of the "Shared Journey of Friendship" U.S. Youth Exchange Delegation. Over the course of two weeks, Becky Vargas, Celeste Vargas, and Silvia Garcia Vasquez explored Beijing, Shanghai, Shijiazhuang, and other remarkable locations.
I had the chance to sit down with Silvia to hear about her incredible experience. Despite China’s fame for its pandas, she was surprised not to see a single one. However, she was impressed by the cleanliness of the cities and noted the absence of visible crime. The accommodations were fancy, adding to the overall positive impression.
Inspired by the unique nature of this trip, she seized the opportunity without hesitation, recognizing it as a rare chance to experience China firsthand. One of their first activities was a visit to the Great Wall of China in Beijing, a breathtaking experience that immersed them in the rich history and culture of the region.
The group also visited many schools throughout their time there. The first one was a K-9 school in Beijing, where they engaged in various activities with local students, including music and art classes, a school tour, and gym sessions.
Another highlight was their visit to the Temple of Heaven, where they observed the local appreciation for health nearby through open exercise areas and special equipment designed for wellness. They enjoyed trying out the equipment themselves and wished West Liberty had something like that.
In Shijiazhuang, they visited the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, Muscatine’s Sister School. Here, they debated the future of AI and interacted with local students.
Silvia said they had great opportunities to learn more about Chinese culture. They participated in a traditional tea ceremony, learning about Chinese tea culture. Cooking classes and impressive performances also added to their memorable experiences.
Garcia Vasquez shared that her least favorite food was yogurt, as it was quite different from what she was used to, while her favorite food was the fresh, unprocessed french fries. The music and fashion in China stood out to her as well. She described her experience as surreal, noting that living the culture provided a perspective far beyond what textbooks could offer.
Every aspect of the trip was a cultural revelation. Even mundane activities, like navigating the train stations with signs in an unfamiliar language, felt significant. She was also struck by the prevalence of squat toilets compared to Western-style ones, though she appreciated the privacy provided by the bathroom design. In the U.S. bathrooms doors have gaps, but in China they don't.
Among her favorite moments were riding on a boat in the famous river in Shanghai and experiencing the Great Wall firsthand. The opportunity to make new friends and engage deeply with a culture different from her own made the trip unforgettable. She brought back Chinese incense as a souvenir, having crafted her own during the visit.
Although Silvia had traveled abroad before, to Mexico, she found this experience uniquely enriching. It was a journey that expanded her horizons and left her with memories she will cherish forever. She recommends people to travel and see more that this world has to offer.