2024 US and CHINA School Cultural exchange 美中高校体育文化交流之旅

On June 12 to 19 2024, a delegation of 16 teachers and students from the St. Paul High School Swordsmen Basketball Team in the United States was invited to Xingtai University to participate in the “White Porcelain before the Taihang Mountains” International Youth Study Tour Program.

The event was recommended by the Hebei Provincial Association for International Education Exchange and hosted by Xingtai University. It aimed to allow participants to experience the rich cultural and educational heritage of Hebei Province through basketball games, cultural exchanges, and artistic activities. The program also sought to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between young people from China and the United States, while offering participants a chance to appreciate the splendor of Chinese civilization, the charm of Xingxiang culture, and the scenic beauty of Yanzhao’s land and the Spring City of Xingtai.

在2024年6月12日-19日，美国圣保罗高中剑士篮球队师生一行16人受邀来到邢台学院，举行“太行山前白瓷白”国际青少年主题研学活动。此次活动由河北省国际教育交流协会推荐，邢台学院主办，旨在通过篮球赛事、文化交流、艺术体验等活动，感受河北丰富的文化教育内涵，加深两国青年学生之间相互了解和友谊，领略中华文明、邢襄文化，感受燕赵大地、泉城风光。

On June 15 and June 17, the St. Paul High School Swordsmen Basketball Team played friendly matches with the basketball teams of Xingtai University and Shijiazhuang No. 2 High School. Both sides demonstrated high-level basketball skills, with fast-paced offense, solid defense, refined techniques, and excellent teamwork, earning rounds of applause from the enthusiastic audience.

On June 16, along the scenic Qili River in Xingtai, teachers and students boarded dragon boats and paddled in unison, experiencing the excitement and spirit of China’s traditional Dragon Boat Festival races.

Through these athletic exchanges, young people from both China and the United States deepened mutual understanding, enjoyed the joy of sports, and built lasting friendships.

6月15日、17日，圣保罗高中剑士篮球队分别与邢台学院、石家庄二中篮球队进行比赛交流，双方球队展现出高水平的篮球技能，快速的进攻、严密的防守、精湛的篮球技巧和战术配合赢得了现场观众的阵阵喝彩。16日，在邢台七里河畔，师生登上龙舟，齐心协力、奋楫逐浪，感受中华传统龙舟赛。体育竞赛增进两国青少年彼此了解，获得体育的快乐，收获珍贵的友谊。

During their visit to Xingtai University, the delegation of teachers and students from St. Paul High School toured several landmarks on campus, including the historic site of the former Baisheng Normal School, the Memorial Hall of Northern University, and the campus art district. They also enjoyed a live performance featuring musical instruments made from white porcelain, gaining a deeper understanding of the university’s rich cultural heritage and distinctive campus environment.

Beyond the campus, the delegation visited cultural landmarks such as the Xingtai Museum and the Taihang Pavilion at the Garden Expo Park, where they learned about the history and culture of “the Spring City at the Foot of the Taihang Mountains—Beautiful Xingtai.” At the Xingtai Kiln Museum and the ancient kiln site in Neiqiu, they experienced the elegance of Xingtai’s signature white porcelain—renowned for its silver-like brilliance and snow-like purity.

Through immersive experiences such as watching Chinese martial arts demonstrations and traditional folk music performances, they gained a deeper appreciation for the charm of Chinese traditional culture. At Longxing Temple in Zhengding and other historical sites, they explored the cultural, historical, and geographical uniqueness of the Yanzhao region. A visit to the Shijiazhuang Zoo was another highlight, where the adorable giant pandas quickly became a favorite among the group.

The students also participated in a series of hands-on cultural activities, including making Xingtai white porcelain, learning ten simple Chinese phrases, practicing a few moves of Chinese kung fu, experiencing traditional Chinese culinary culture by making dumplings, learning to sing a Chinese song, exploring Chinese calligraphy and painting, and performing a joint song with their Chinese peers. These vibrant and engaging artistic exchanges deepened mutual understanding and friendship between the two groups, symbolized by the planting of a “Tree of Friendship” on campus.

The St. Paul High School delegation also visited Beijing, where they toured the Forbidden City and climbed the Great Wall, marveling at China’s splendid and ancient civilization.

圣保罗高中师生一行在邢台学院校园参观了百年四师旧址、北方大学纪念馆、校园艺术街区，欣赏白瓷乐器演奏，近距离了解学校历史文化底蕴和校园特色环境。走出校园，师生们参观了邢台市博物馆、园博园太行馆等场馆，了解“太行泉城，美丽邢台”的历史与文化。赴内丘邢窑遗址博物馆、窑址馆参观，感受“如银似雪”的邢窑白瓷。通过观看学习中国武术展演、中国民族音乐演出，深入感受中华传统文化的魅力。在正定隆兴寺等场馆，领略燕赵大地的历史、人文、地理的特色风采。在石家庄动物园里，憨态可掬的国宝大熊猫更是赢得了大家的喜爱。大家还亲身体验了邢窑白瓷制作、“学说十句中国话”、“学一招中国功夫”、中国传统美食文化——包饺子、 “学唱一首中国歌”、中国传统书画、中美青年共唱同一首歌等特色活动，丰富多彩的艺术体验增进了彼此的了解，双方互学互鉴，在校园里共同种下友谊树。美国师生还赴北京参观故宫，攀登长城，领略中国灿烂悠久的历史与文化。在欢送仪式上，圣保罗高中校长罗伯特·米勒表示，这次河北邢台之旅令人难忘，感谢邢台学院的热情接待和为此次访问提供丰富多彩的体育文化体验，热闹的龙舟赛、引人入胜的博物馆以及东方文明的热情好客给他们留下深刻印象。通过篮球友谊赛，建立了深厚友谊，展现了体育力量。希望继续推进文化交流项目，努力实现更深层次和更持久的合作。本次研学活动，为中美两校师生提供了相互学习交流的平台,让双方建立了深厚友谊，了解了彼此文化，搭建了沟通桥梁，增进了中美青少年之间的友好交流，有利推动双方在文化、体育等方面的合作，深化对彼此文化的理解和认同，促进两国青少年的共同进步和发展。

Education is the key to social progress. Through cooperation between educational institutions in China and the United States, we can jointly develop curricula, organize academic exchange programs, and help young people from both nations not only gain knowledge, but also cultivate global perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills.
For instance, schools in both countries can launch student exchange programs, conduct joint online and in-person classes, invite renowned American teachers and coaches to China for teaching, and send Chinese teachers and students to the U.S. as cultural ambassadors — promoting mutual understanding and growth among the youth of both nations through learning and collaboration.

教育是推动社会进步的关键。通过中美两国教育机构的合作，我们可以共同开发课程，举办学术交流活动，让两国青少年在学习过程中不仅掌握知识，还能培养国际视野和跨文化交流能力。例如，可以组织两国学校之间的交换生项目，合作开展线上线下课堂，邀请美国知名老师和教练赴华授课，中方师生赴美宣扬祖国文化充当民间文化使者等等，让青少年们在学习中互相了解对方共同成长。