Giving back to one’s community is an important concept in American culture. Through service learning, an essential part of the University Performance Program (UPP) curriculum, students apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to meaningful service in the community. Students benefit from these real-world experiences by developing authentic relationships with others and using their strengths to make a positive impact.
In October, UPP students had the opportunity to visit Stough Magnet Elementary School, home of the only Mandarin Immersion program in the area. They met with fourth-grade American children who were learning the Chinese language and culture alongside core subjects.
These talented children first interviewed our UPP students asking them questions about their studies, hobbies, and school life in China. The UPP students were surprised and delighted by their ability to express themselves in Chinese. “The students really tried to talk. They wanted to use Chinese to communicate,” said Kaisheng Zheng. Xiang Zhang agreed, “The children’s Chinese was good. I could understand them.” Pengxiang Pei compared the children’s language skills to those of his American-born Chinese classmates, “It was interesting because like the [American-born Chinese] friends I have, their Chinese level is similar to these little kids, it was surprising because I expected [the American-born Chinese] to know at least some Chinese, or better because their parents must speak Chinese at home.”
UPP students then joined an activity to make paper versions of traditional Chinese clothes or use legos to build the Temple of Heaven. Each UPP student worked with a group of grade-schoolers, helping them to complete the task and answering their questions. As a current Education major, Zhang found that the experience solidified her decision to become a teacher, “The teacher told them they had to speak Chinese. A little girl told me ‘I love you.’ When I finished the activity, the girl was very sad, and she gave me a hug. It was a meaningful experience for me. After that, I really wanted to be a teacher. I like little kids.”
Overall, the students found the day to be rewarding and inspiring in sharing their language and culture with American children. They were also able to relate to the challenge of communicating in another language. The children’s energy and enthusiasm had a strong impact on the UPP students, “I liked spending time with the students, and I liked their positive energy. I still remember what I was thinking when I was nine years old. I was excited to grow up. I saw myself in them,” remarked Zheng.
The overall experience ignited the students’ desire to share their knowledge and experiences with the community as well as encouraged them to pursue their English studies with renewed effort. “I think I need to improve my English skills. Sometimes they spoke to me in Chinese so I could understand. They speak Chinese very slowly, but they speak English very quickly,” remarked Zhang. All of the UPP students agreed that they couldn’t wait to return for another visit! “It was the best day of my life in America,” exclaimed Zheng.
