November 4 - A local teenager named Fang Xin was one of 300 adolescents from China, Japan and South Korea who participated in an exchange program held last September in Japan. Here Miss Fang shares with us some of the experiences she had during that activity.
The 300 representatives, being 100 from each country, were divided into three groups: the Environmental Section, Higher Education Section, and Cultural Section, which were then divided into nine groups of ten children. Members of each group were reshuffled so that they could get in touch with different representatives and various topics for discussion. Fang Xin recalled two Korean girls, who had little proficiency in at English, but who, nonetheless, took an active part in expressing their opinions. Fang Xin observed that "the biggest obstacle in communication in not language; it is an inactive mind."
Miss Fang was the first Chinese representative to pose a question to the former Japanese assistant foreign minister. As she recounted, she waited while the first three chances during the Q&A session went to Japanese representatives, but she could not wait any longer after that and so shouted out "China!" which immediately gained her the opportunity to ask a question. Her bold outburst impressed the journalists from KBS South Korea, who interviewed her afterwards.
Fang Xin accepting an interview from South Korea KBS
Miss Fang encountered one potentially embarrassing moment while in Japan. During her stay in Osaka, while having supper with her host family, a news report suddenly appeared on the TV related to the tainted milk scandal in China. Awkward silence ensued as Fang Xin was suddenly at a loss for words. The host father, recognizing her embarrassment, lightened the atmosphere by graciously saying "Please help yourself to more food!"
The exchange program provided a valuable chance to improve understanding among students from the three countries. "It was really a rewarding trip," said Fang Xin, "I have not only made many new friends, but also deepened my understanding about Japan. More importantly, I have gained more perspective on my own culture, seeing both its strengths and its weaknesses."
Representatives from China, Japan and South Korea
Miss Fang shared some of her thoughts about China's development. Inspired by her ride on Japan's bullet train "called the Shinkansen" she mused, "Although China has achieved rapid development since its policies of reform and opening up, there is still a significant gap between China and Japan with respect to economy and technology. Rather than swelling with pride, we should be inspired to always work hard and improve."
Fang Xin suggested that college students set specific targets and maintain broad perspective in order to make greater contributions to society.
The "Chinese, Japanese and South Korean Adolescents Exchange Meeting" was sponsored by the governments of China, Japan, and South Korea, with an aim to increase mutual understanding and communication among adolescents of the three countries.
Source: GDUFS News Website
