Bay to Beijing

Tag: chinese

  • Day 14 (Pt. 1) – Our Last Day in China

    Author: Kash Brown

    We started our final morning in China like any other, meeting in the hotel diner for breakfast before gathering in the lobby to board the bus. But today’s experience would be far from ordinary. Our program lead, Bill, had planned a special local experience to help us end the trip feeling connected not just to China’s history and landmarks, but to its people.

    We headed to a nearby community park, and it was beyond anything we could’ve expected. Over 100 elderly Chinese men and women were scattered throughout the park, dancing, stretching, doing Tai Chi, playing instruments, and working out on the public bars. Their energy was contagious. Their flexibility? Impressive. Their strength? Unmatched. Sense of community? Natural.

    We jumped in with a group of women dancing in a circle to upbeat music and even attempted a few of their stretching and fitness routines. But let’s just say, we couldn’t keep up. The laughter we shared with them bridged the language gap.

    Soon, it became a playful competition, with elderly men taking turns on the pull-up bars and calisthenics equipment, showing off their skills and inspiring us all. Their vitality was a lesson in itself: age doesn’t limit joy.

    Afterwards, we walked to a quieter corner of the park—a cultural tradition known as the Marriage Market. Parents lined the walkway with handwritten papers outlining personal details about their adult children, name, age, birthday, career, hobbies—hoping to attract a suitable partner for them. It was like Craigslist meets matchmaking, in real life.

    We began snapping photos and videos—not realizing that this act would soon cause an issue. A few parents started yelling, clearly upset. Security was eventually called, and our program lead stepped in to speak calmly with them. Turns out, our photos were unintentionally disrespectful. To them, this market was deeply serious—and they didn’t want their children’s personal information shared online. We apologized and left respectfully. It was a tense moment, but one that taught us a valuable lesson in cultural sensitivity. After that unfriendly encounter, we were ready to head to the next stop on our itinerary.

    Next, we crossed an overpass to a shopping mall known for, you guessed it, high-quality imitation goods. Many of us didn’t expect to find much, but let’s just say: we found a gold mine. One person even bought a suitcase just to fit everything they purchased, and helped others pack their overflow too.

    The fun part? Negotiating prices. Although we didn’t speak the same language, numbers don’t lie. Out came the calculators, ours and theirs, and the back-and-forth began. Prices dropped, totals changed, and deals were made with just a few taps. It turned into a fun game we wished existed back home.

    After our shopping spree, we headed to the airport. Emotions were high. We hugged our program leads and photographer goodbye, took some last group photos, and boarded our flight home.

    Our morning in the park reminded us that health, joy, and community are universal languages. Watching the elderly locals dance, stretch, and show off their strength was both humbling and inspiring. Despite the awkward moment at the marriage market, it gave us a raw glimpse into a cultural tradition we wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. As we left that space behind and made our way to the mall, we carried with us a deeper respect for the ways different generations and families express love, care, and legacy.

    Continue to Day 14 (Pt. 2): UA Flight 889 – A Flight We’ll Never Forget

  • Day 7 – Politics, Culture, and Connection

    Author: Kash Brown | Contributor: Maira Chavez Ortiz

    We kicked off Day 7 the same way we had most mornings—up by 7:30 AM, breakfast by 8:00, and on the charter bus by 8:30. At this point in the trip, we’d all settled into a rhythm. The nerves had eased, friendships had grown stronger, and we were finding comfort in the routine—and in each other.

    Our first stop of the day was Hebei University of Technology for a full schedule of lectures and cultural exchange. Professor Hui Wang led the first lecture, The Path of Chinese Politics, giving us a deep dive into how China’s system is designed to support long-term growth and stability. From electric vehicles and environmental reform to universal education, we learned how China’s approach is rooted in planning, intention, and collective progress. It was wild to hear that Beijing had only 176 days of good air quality in 2013—and how major reforms have turned that around in just a few years. One thing that stuck with us? Electric vehicles are never restricted under China’s driving limitations. That’s how committed they are to clean energy.

    We also explored China’s education system—learning how Chinese characters are broken down into phonetic blocks and how, through laws like the 1986 Compulsory Education Law, China eliminated illiteracy among young and middle-aged adults by 2000. Since 2006, basic education has been tuition-free for both urban and rural areas. That’s the type of policy impact we could all learn from.

    Once the first lecture wrapped up, we made our way to the university’s Teacher’s VIP Lounge for lunch. Somewhere along the way, half of our group got separated and ended up lost. While walking around trying to find the others, our group leader spotted a student riding by on her bike and asked if she could help. She kindly offered to guide us and actually rode alongside us toward the lounge. Halfway there, we ran into the rest of our group, so we thanked her for her help and asked if we could snap a quick photo before she continued on her way. Once we arrived at the lounge, we split into three tables and were served a diverse spread of dishes. The real highlight, though? A surprise scoop of ice cream at the end. Simple, but elite.

    After lunch, we met up with about 18 Chinese university students outside the dining area for a casual cultural exchange. Some of us were paired one-on-one, while others doubled up—no one seemed to mind. We had a little over an hour to connect, and even though we were given a wide range to explore the campus, our group leaders encouraged us to stay nearby. Some students hung out at a local coffee shop, some explored the food court, and others took their time walking through the campus library.

    One fun cultural difference? Naps. After lunch, most of the Chinese students went to take a nap—which, honestly, we respected. It brought us back to kindergarten days and made a lot of sense. Rest to reset. America, take notes.

    What stood out most during these interactions was how similar we all were—bonding over music, photography, fashion, and our favorite snacks. We exchanged WeChat info, took a big group photo, and made our way to the next lecture.

    Professor Shanglian Zhang welcomed us with high energy for her session on Diversity in Harmony: The Essence of Chinese Culture. She had previously taught the Finnish students who joined us, so there was a cool familiarity and vibe in the room. She spoke about China’s geography, its 14 bordering countries, and the incredible diversity in dialects, food, folk art, and traditions across regions. She broke down Confucian philosophy and what defines Chinese national character—diligence, kindness, hospitality, and balance. It was both educational and inspiring.

    After a full day of learning, we headed back to the hotel to rest up. Or so we thought. About 15 minutes after we checked in, the power went out. Thankfully, we had just gotten off the elevator (close call!). Luckily, it came back on within 20 minutes.

    Around 30 minutes later we were notified by the group leader to meet in the hotel lobby so we could out for dinner—this time all together in one room with three large tables and the usual lazy Susan setup. Most dishes were familiar by now, but one in particular stole the show: a ramen dish that came out displayed on a wooden plank, with the noodles draped over two chopsticks that were propped up in the center. It was basically made for a photo op—and yes, we all got the shot.

    After another amazing meal, a few of us decided to grab a foot massage before turning in for the night. Definitely one of the more unique experiences on this trip so far, but honestly, much needed after all the walking and long days. We made it back to the hotel feeling relaxed, full, and grateful.

    Today reminded us that the heart of cultural exchange isn’t just in the lectures or history lessons—it’s in the quiet conversations, shared laughs, and moments of connection. Whether we were learning about politics, discussing our favorite artists, or comparing philosophies on rest, we walked away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of something global. And that’s something we’ll carry with us, long after the trip is over.