Embarking on every city, carefully observing every scenery, makes the world more tangible through the eyes of young individuals. Each visited place is like a piece of exquisite puzzle, constructing the map of the world in the hearts of the youth, also harboring rare treasures that can influence a lifetime.
On the evening of December 16th, the third phase of the Sino-U.S. Youth Virtual Exchange Program was successfully conducted. The theme of this event was “Famous Landmarks,” featuring shared speeches. The live broadcast attracted nearly a thousand viewers and received over ten thousand likes, generating an extremely enthusiastic response! The Chinese student representatives focused on themes such as “Hong Kong, China,” “Grand Canal,” and “Yangzhou, Jiangsu.” Meanwhile, the U.S. student representatives centered their presentations on 'Orlando Theme Parks,' 'Rushmore Mountain Memorial Park,' and the 'White House,' providing detailed, all-English introductions to the impressive sites they visited. They allowed all audiences to experience many captivating famous landmarks, witnessing the establishment of profound friendship between Chinese and American students!
Special Feature – Saint Mark’s High School
The U.S. student representatives participating in the 'Virtual Exchange' program this time are from St. Mark’s High School located in Wilmington, Delaware. It is widely recognized as the best private high school in the state, as voted by the entire state's population. St. Mark’s High School employs differentiated instruction for students with varying academic abilities, providing personalized curricula. Using a comprehensive development approach, the school focuses not only on students' knowledge but also on their physical and mental health, ideological development, as well as the nurturing of their hearts and souls. As a result, St. Mark’s High School boasts a 100% graduation rate.
Walt Disney World & Universal Studios
Orlando, renowned as the world's theme park capital, attracts numerous tourists. The first group of U.S. representatives shared iconic attractions in Orlando, including Disney World and Universal Studios. They showcased the enchanting Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom of Disney, recounting amusing experiences dining with their families in the castle. They also discussed amusement facilities adapted from movies in Universal Studios and a water park named Volcano Bay.
Hongkong, China
The first group of Chinese representatives introduced Hong Kong, China, showcasing various iconic landmarks from the highest peak “Tai Ping Shan”, Victoria Peak, to the scenic Victoria Harbour, and the cable car route Ngong Ping 360. Highlighting several well-known attractions, they depicted Hong Kong, renowned as the 'Pearl of the Orient.
The second group of Chinese representatives provided an in-depth introduction to a magnificent Chinese project, the Grand Canal, covering aspects such as history, economy, and society. They elaborated on the Grand Canal Museum located in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, detailing how the museum incorporates modern technology to allow visitors to explore the historical and cultural aspects of the Grand Canal through interactive games.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The second group of U.S. representatives shared the famous Rushmore Mountain Memorial Park, commonly known as Mount Rushmore. The park features colossal 60-foot sculptures of four former U.S. presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. From the historical background of the park to the animals and various entertaining activities within, they provided a detailed introduction to the park's features. One particularly impressive and interesting aspect is that 90% of the mountain was carved using explosives, truly expanding one's perspective!
The White House
The White House, one of the world's renowned landmarks, was intricately described by the third group of U.S. representatives. They delved into the history, basic information, and interesting facts about the White House, providing an inside look at its architectural structure. The U.S. presidential residence seemed to come to life, showcasing its majestic and imposing presence.
Yangzhou, Jiangsu
Ten miles of Yangzhou Road under the spring breeze. The third group of Chinese representatives introduced their hometown, Yangzhou. From the renowned “Two-Split Moon Tower” with the saying “The world's three most famous moonlit nights, two are in Yangzhou,” to the UNESCO-listed Slender West Lake, the ancient and ambitious Grand Canal, and the private garden 'Ge Garden' once owned by a salt merchant in the Qing Dynasty, their in-depth sharing of these attractions offered a glimpse into the beauty of the city of Yangzhou.
2024 Global Best Cultural Landmarks
Through the splendid presentations by student representatives from both China and the United States, everyone virtually traveled to different cities worldwide and appreciated the beauty of distinctive attractions from the East and the West. In the end, mentors selected the winning group of this session, earning them the title of '2024 Global Best Cultural Landmarks.' They are:
Chinese Student Representative:
Group 1 (Hongkong, China): Zixuan Zang, Yangyang Jiang, Lingwei Jing, Yuxuan Zhou
U.S. Student Representative:
Group 2 (Mount Rushmore): Jack, Sarah, Brianna
Virtual Exchange
Since the inception of the Sino-U.S. Youth Virtual Exchange Program, it has been well-received by students from both China and the United States. Participants not only engage in open discussions around the theme but also use this platform to share interesting aspects of their lives, truly achieving a virtual exchange. In the future, we will continue to organize more exciting themed activities, advancing the cultural exchange between Chinese and American youth!
