CHICAGO, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- From sampling local food and exploring everyday life to practicing the Chinese language she has studied since kindergarten, Leah Porter, a seventh-grade student at Yinghua Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, captured her experiences in China in a short video to share with others.
Her video won second prize in the 6th Short Video Competition featuring "A Glimpse of China" hosted by the Consulate General of China in Chicago. A total of 17 of the 66 student participants received awards.
At an award ceremony held recently at the consulate, Acting Consul General Zhang Yiqi said the students' videos were helping bridge the distance between China and the United States and foster mutual understanding between the two peoples.
For fifth-grade student Nova Zigerell, another second-prize winner, China's blend of ancient history and modern technology left a strong impression. During her visit, she explored the Terracotta Warriors and encountered a robotic tiger that responded to voice commands and gestures.
Nova hopes more American students will have the opportunity to visit China and experience the country firsthand.
For 15-year-old Eliya Kim, a student at University High School at Illinois State University, a visit to a Chinese art school marked the beginning of a friendship that has continued since her trip. She connected with two students from the school on WeChat, and they have kept in touch ever since. Kim helps her Chinese friends with their English homework, while they help her learn Chinese.
"I feel like it's really fun because I get to have friends from different countries and cultures, and they just share about their daily lives, which is cool to see," Kim said.
During her trip to Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Porter saw giant pandas in person, an experience she hopes more American students will have the chance to enjoy. For her, such opportunities offer a way to see China firsthand and gain a more direct understanding of the country. ■
