Two Maryknoll School students, Gloria Miao and Christopher Chow, have been honored with the prestigious Wo International Center Summer Study in China Scholarship. A program originating from the Punahou School Wo International Center, this special exchange program provides American students the opportunity to interact with Chinese teenagers in Beijing, Shanghai, and a two-week summer camp setting in Baojing, a farming town in Hunan province. The trip blends the learning of a second language and culture through direct involvement with Chinese students in the cities with an international service learning project in rural China. Students will have accommodations at dormitories, along with a few days living with a Chinese family.
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Currently juniors who were outstanding academic achievers in Su-Hsiang McCraw’s advanced Chinese class, Gloria and Christopher are looking forward to experiencing language immersion to improve their Chinese, as well as having the opportunity to teach Chinese youth American culture and the English language.
“I want to be able to interact with people in China in my same age group, learn their language, and experience what life is like for them,” said Gloria Miao.
“It’s all about learning about different cultures, their traditions and language, and exchanging our culture with them. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with Chinese children, and I have never been to Asia before, so this is very exciting for me,” said Christopher Chow.
The exchange will last one month from July 4th to the 30th, and the scholarship is valued at $4200 per student, which covers round-trip airfare, travel in China, tuition, lodging, as well as extra-curricular activities.
When asked what kinds of American foods they would share with their host families, Gloria responded, “Pizza and spam musubis,” and Christopher suggested pancakes!
Congrats to Gloria and Christopher for being awarded this prestigious scholarship and for living our school motto of Noblesse Oblige by serving and educating youth in rural China.