Choate Students To Visit China In Summer UPenn Provides Choaties Unique Opportunity
By Andrew Ricardo ’10
News Reporter
This summer, the University of Pennsylvania and its Graduate School of Education are giving eleven Choate students a unique opportunity. Through the American Future Leaders Program, these students will travel to China for meetings with senior officials of the Chinese government, national scholars, and leading corporate and business figures. The purpose of this program is for the students to develop a comprehensive understanding of China’s history, current state, and future. It is hoped that this will supplement their studies and upcoming career paths in significant ways.
Overseer of the program Dean of Academic Affairs Kathleen Wallace says, “The program is a terrific opportunity to the students, since China has been taking on an increasing role in the world’s economic and political scene. It has the potential to be incredibly educational and eye-opening.” According to Leigh Dingwall, a Choate history teacher participating in the trip, “It’s important to understand… how and why China has evolved as it has over the last thirty years beyond what is offered in world history textbooks.”
The American Future Leaders Program is a completely new development. This year’s pilot program, taking place for two weeks at some time in June, will help its administrators determine its potential for success. “It’s the hope of the people at Penn that this will become a yearly program,” explains Mrs. Wallace. If the program is renewed, it could possibly be expanded to fill up an entire month in the summer.
The Application Process
The application process for students interested in the event was designed to allow only the students most suited to the program’s considerable procedures and benefits. Students who desired a spot in the program had to submit a one-page essay to Mrs. Wallace explaining their reasons for wanting to take part in it. A subsequent interview at the University of Pennsylvania also took place for the hopeful applicants. However, the applications were so strong that all eleven students who took part in the process were accepted. “I want to work in China… Maybe go into business, or into foreign service, like the Embassy,” remarks John Whitney ’08, a participant in the program.
The emphasis of the program is apparently on culture, economics, and U.S.-China relations rather than language; three of the attending students speak absolutely no Chinese. Eden Ellis ’08 says “I have never been to China, and do not speak Chinese, so this will be quite a trip and experience for me… a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” There will be translators attending the students’ meetings on the trip, but Mrs. Wallace still notes the challenge that the non-Chinese speakers will face: “Those kids are going to be at a disadvantage, but nevertheless, I admire them for being willing and excited to go, and for learning what they can.”
The program is not only meant to be for the benefit of the attendees, but is also designed to enlighten Choate students on Chinese events and culture as well. “Even though China continues to evolve to become one of the single most important countries in the world, many Americans are still largely unaware of the country’s history and current situation,” says Jennifer Kim ’08. “After we return from China, we have to present on our experience, which will hopefully ensure a wider understanding of the nation.” The trip may also draw implications about the state of our own country. Tyler Maloney ’08 hopes that “by learning about Chinese culture and government, we will be able to compare and contrast the American way of life with the Chinese way of life in order to gain an improved perspective [of China and international relations].”
So far, the American Future Leaders Program seems extremely promising. The event is an opportunity for Choate students to expand their horizons and partake in an immense learning experience in a blossoming foreign nation. According to Mrs. Wallace, “I think there’s a lot for the kids to see and learn… It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
