To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 2023 initiative to "host 50,000 American youths in China for educational exchanges over the next five years," UCASS orchestrated the Youth Envoys Exchange Program from November 24 to 27. This endeavor sought to deepen cultural ties and foster meaningful exchanges between China and the United States, by offering more opportunities for the American youth to come to China for study tours and nurture bilateral friendships. Themed "Experiencing China: A Cultural Odyssey Through Time," the program warmly welcomed 44 high school educators and students from the United States to Beijing in late autumn, thanks to the valuable guidance and support from China Education Association for International Exchange.
Co-hosted by UCASS International Exchange and Cooperation Department and School of Lifelong Education, the program integrated elements of cultural exploration, artistic engagement, and academic lectures. Activities included visits to cultural landmarks, campus tours, art appreciation sessions, calligraphy workshops, and lectures on Chinese history, all designed to present a multifaceted, dynamic and all-encompassing image of China.
Over four intensive days, participants delved into Beijing’s glorious historical heritage and the narratives that underpin its past. By blending excursions to natural sites with educational forays into cultural lore, the program granted the American educators and students from Oregon the opportunities to appreciate the allure of ancient Chinese civilization while deepening their understanding of contemporary China.
The program concluded with heartfelt farewells, as American participants presented handwritten letters of gratitude to the UCASS organizing team. Many expressed newfound appreciation for China’s authenticity and diversity, vowing to share their experiences with friends. The initiative has been warmly applauded by American students, teachers, and parents, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for cross-cultural dialogue through greater friendship and mutual understanding between two sides.
