"The Revolutionary Optimists" Film Screening and Panel

I recently represented Sister Cities of Louisville in a student panel discussion on a film shown as part of the Metamorphosis Film Series at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. The Center describes this event as part of “a variety of inspiring and transformative films focused on gender equity, global citizenship, or topics related to Muhammad Ali and his core values. Each film is followed by a panel discussion where audience participation is encouraged.”

The film screened was The Revolutionary Optimists, a documentary from filmmakers Maren Grainger-Monsen and Nicole Newnham. It focuses on one of many slums in Calcutta, India, lacking potable water and facing other hardships such as disease, child labor, and domestic violence. But the people driving change in this neighborhood are not whom you might expect: the titular revolutionaries are children growing up in the slum, and their optimism forms the heart of this moving story. Under the guidance of Amlan Ganguly, a former attorney who now works with slum children through his nonprofit organization Prayasam, the young advocates inspire both their community and the film’s audience.

In the movie, we meet four children involved with Prayasam, each with different personal struggles. Sikha and Salim, 12-year-olds whose families must walk for two hours every day to fetch water from the nearest tap, are campaigning for a new water tap nearby. Kajal, a young girl who dreams of becoming a tailor and lifting her family out of poverty, works in a brick field to support her ailing mother and studies at night by candlelight. And 15-year-old Priyanka, a graceful and fluid dancer, suffers in an abusive family even as she tries to escape the threat of child marriage. Through it all, we see Ganguly interacting with the children, encouraging their efforts to break cycles of poverty and disempowerment while teaching them independence and the resilience of hope. While progress is slow and setbacks inevitable, the small triumphs of these kids shine, tiny flames of optimism that persist in an environment of often literal darkness.

Roughly 30 people attended the screening, including local high school students chaperoned by community church leaders and teachers. After the film, Hussanatu Kamar (Americana Community Center), Tori Shover (WaterStep), and I participated on a panel moderated by Gilman Bagga, a student at St. Francis High School and a member of the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students program. Gilman encouraged us to discuss meaningful moments in the film and how they related to our own community. We collectively identified three key values of the children in the slum—compassion, commitment, and communication—that helped them maintain optimism and work for change. It is especially important, we concluded, that Louisvillians remember those values in their day-to-day interactions with others. Grassroots change starts with a friendly smile and a kind word; only communities that are connected and compassionate can work together to successfully tackle problems.

The mission of Sister Cities also reflects the importance of these values. We strive to “promote peace through the respect we show, understanding we foster, and cooperation we seek with our Sister Cities around the world”—goals that require strong partnerships rooted in mutual compassion, commitment, and communication. As we create and strengthen people-to-people connections with our Sister Cities around the world, we need to keep in mind the role of optimism and kindness in our daily lives. The children of The Revolutionary Optimists are role models for the power of young people to bring about change, even in small ways—and how we can apply the lessons of those changes to our own lives.

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The Muhammad Ali Center Metamorphosis Film Series, in partnership with ITVS Community Cinema, will hold another film screening and panel discussion on Thursday, June 27, from 5:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Muhammad Ali Center (144 N. Sixth Street). The film presented will be Love Free or Die, on the life and struggle of the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop in the United States, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. For more information, please visit alicenter.org.

Entry 3: Louisville's Guest by Wang Runze

The first glimpse from the air

The first glimpse of Louisville came when I was still in air. The street lights which was becoming brighter and brighter against the dark woods unfolded in the night curtain , magic and graceful. What I saw was but a corner, What did she look like in a whole? I wondered.

The plane landed smoothly on the runway where only a twinkled light blinked in the deep dark. How tranquil and tender! “Louisville, I am coming”, I whistled. There were few people around and no store in service. We were the only intruders of the quiet night. Out of the hall we were greeted by the host teachers and students, they said “Welcome to Louisville” to us and we joined to leave the airport happily, no unpractical yet annoying welcome ceremony. That’s OK!

Seth , a student in grade 10, was responsible for taking care of me. He was blond and spoke Chinese a sentence or two. I also met Miss Wang Xiaoxuan once an elite student in my school and now a student here.

The idle life in Louisville
Then I was with Seth and his family together. We bit farewell to other newcomers and find a restaurant. On the way,I stammered out words by words with Seth and cheerfully to learn that he had been to my hometown Jiujiang.

The restaurant we entered was as noisy as in china. Its decoration reminded me of old films, like a bar with a bit of western style. I liked it very much. In the slow, sad, lasting forever melody, time tickled away and people relaxed into meditation. We are served with American hamburger, bread, tomatoes, onions, beef pies and cheese. We enjoyed our dinner idly, don’t minding that it was late at night. Perhaps this was so called ease life.

I met and talked with a compatriot from Shandong Province. He spoke English fluently and appeared lonely ,perhaps because of homesick ,I guessed. Seth’s Dad and his grandpa had been to china too. Oh! What a predestinated relation his family had with china. It begun to snow when we went back. It occurred to me that it was snowing heavily when I was born. Mum told me this many times.” Mum and Dad , I miss you!” a voice rose swiftly from my heart.

It is still snowing when we arrived at Seth home. It was a big house with 3 floors. the dining room and drawing room are in the first floor. Three living rooms in the second floor, a tiny library and a hall (big enough to hold a party) in the basement . Seth bred 3 lovely dogs! Another Chinese student Jason lived in Seth home too, and we played for long that night.

Collegiate school

Collegiate is composed by 4 sections: the primary school and refectory, the junior high school and kindergarten, the senior high school , and the art pavilion .its classroom looks small but spacious for more than ten students , moreover, every classroom is unique. For example , Chinese calligraphy and dragon ,panda adorn the classroom, Lizards, pythons may climb in biology classroom . everything is clear, everywhere is cleaned.

Collegiate emphasizes its fame. every honor will be placed in the bulletin board by the entrance door. As to teachers I could hardly judge their capacity for my poor English , but I could feel their enthusiastic , they are all good and the physics teacher is my favorite.

In the school I made a lot of friends：Jason、Rose、Kevin、Elizabeth…, Jason is from Hangzhou and Anna from Nanchang. Besides , I took part in many parties which were held frequently. More than often I couldn’t hear what they talked about, but I enjoyed myself in the atmosphere.

My second residence

Before long, I moved to Kyle home. “Kyle is a math genius”, Miss Wang Xiaoxuan told me. I was good at math too, and eager to exchange ideas about math, but the language barrier stood between us. Kyle home is relatively small and not that bright. The house had 3 floors too. Living room, kitchen and dining room is in the first floor, 3 living rooms and a bathroom in the 2_rd floor , Kyle studio and a garden occupy the 3_rd floor. Kyle’s father petted a dog and several chicken, I wanted to pet something in fact.

Kyle Study room is very big with plenty of books, sometimes I desired to stand there for a whole afternoon, but I retreated for I could not read these English books. I found many compact disks when seeing his bookcase, that made me feel easy because we shared a lot : Kyle was introvert, me too; he was a COD fanatic, me too; he had a insight in math, so did I; he loved playing games, so did I!

My first Chinese lunar new year Eve spent abroad

The Chinese lunar new year ,a special day, arrived on a Saturday. I got up at 9, took a brief breakfast, then played violin. In a matter of fact, I knew the CCTV spring festival Gala had begun that moment, but I had no time to watch it more. I dropped my violin at 11 and sat in front of TV to witness the new year countdown on the gala. 10, 9, 8……2, 1. Ah, comes a new year! I held back my emotion in the Eve without family aside. Kyle family are considerate, and invited me to paste paper_cut for windows decoration, and held a party to celebrate. I forgot my longing for parents and sang and danced gaily.

The next evening, we went to KCD to take part in a farewell party. I saw Seth there, the last meeting with her in America . everyone seemed rejoiced, enjoyed the revelry before separation. Talent and skill performance begun after the party. I played violin, with several flaws for my nervousness ,followed by a solo 《Superstar》， I exposed myself and were conscious that I was but a bystander. Tomorrow I would leave America .

She is Louisville , I am a passerby.

The other side of gathering is separation. How time flies! 15 days past in a snap. Originally, I thought I had been involved in Louisville in these 15 days, but it was not true. I was still her guest. The spectacle of the city viewed from plane remained graceful. We hurried in, hurried out. We brought in nothing, left down nothing. She is still Louisville, I am still a guest

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Entry 6: My Time in Louisville by Wang Zhiyu

Louisville is a small city.The first impression give me is the very good environment, green area,the fresh air ,the great quality water. I spent an unforgettable vacation here.First of all,I start from my host family.My host family is a single parent family.Family mother take care of four children,two boys and two girls. The largest kid is studying in the University,and the other three children are study in KCD. Two family young brother, Declan , Padraic. and I have a good relationship.There is a student named Nigel from Dalian in China in my host family. Maybe,The biggest difference I am impressed with is that United States’s crude public traffic. The traffic here is mainly rely on private cars. Even, there is no sidewalk from school to home on the road.In Louisville, I haven't seen a bus station.If someone have no car ,the only way to go out is by taxi.But the price to take a taxi is too high. During the exchange in KCD,I found the Chinese School’steaching is very different from the American school’s teaching. Their course is optional, of course, some subjects must be learn.And you can choice of different difficulty throughthe personal ability

So,the student in the same class the persomal ability is similar the same.It conducive to student learing. Their dining room is a most interesting place. When I saw the cafeteria at the first time. I knew that school could not let 12 different grade students are sitting down to dinner at the same time.So school will be separated from each grade meal time. So that the students can have lunch efficiently, it made me surorised.

The deepest impression that the America school gave me is the teacher’s oatience.I can remember a maths lesson.A student wrong a simple questions many times before doing it ,the teacher also encouraged him. I think, If a Chinese teachers in this case, would be angry.

The United States students after-school life is very rich.Most student will attend the school sports team after class. I found a very interesting phenomenon. Almost all the teacher can do some movement. An English teacher which I know is a baseball coach,too.For example, a student good at sport will be more easy to find a good job than a student who is good at study in future. Therefore, American’s overall health quality American is high.Even my host family young brother Declan in addition toplay computer games,he can play pingpong and basketball ,too.

The students here is not like us need to have classes and do more and more homework,they will go out do exercise with friends.Sometimes take aparty at home.Maybe,my favoritetime is in school and joined party.

 I will work hard. In the near future, I hope I can finish go to American University to study

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Entry 5: My Time in Louisville by Shao Lu (Elle)

This trip to Louisville is a great opportunity for me to open up my mind. I got the chance to stay with local families for two weeks so that I got to know American lifestyle and how students study in America.
After a few hours’ flight, we finally arrived in Louisville. The host families are very nice, they got to the airport very early in order to pick us up. Anna and her father and her sister all came. Anna said her mother prepared chicken soup at home. That’s so sweet, because I hadn’t ate anything during the flight. Maybe because the essay I wrote about myself, they played Taylor Swift’s songs all the way home. “Trouble, trouble, trouble”. Yes, I like Carrie Underwood as well by the way. I heard Mr. Rogers asked Anna to ask me if I like Carrie Underwood. When we got home, there was already a bowl of chicken soup on the table waiting for me. That was me drank American chicken soup for the first time. Indeed, it’s really different from China. But it’s very delicious anyway. Then I gave them the gifts I brought from Jiujiang. It seems that they really like them. Mrs. Rogers even gave me a “American hug”. Because it’s not very late, Anna asked me if I want to play Wii. Actually, I had no idea what Wii is. It turns out to be something like a video game. We danced “call me maybe” at first, but I looked stupid, so we started to play “band hero” I guess. We had so much fun!

The next day, Anna took me to her school, Louisville Collegiate School. Then we met Mrs. Wade. She was going to give some classes to her students, and we also took part in them. For the first Chinese class, we were supposed to be asked question by the students. One of them asked me if I had a blog, then I said yes. After the class, I showed them my blog, it’s pretty awkward because I haven’t written anything for years. Then we took 4 more Chinese classes that day. Their Chinese is great, though Chinese is very difficult to learn. After school, Anna drove Morgan and me to buy some hot chocolate. It’s sweet but it tasted good. Anna said one of her friends will come and paint nails with us. And she asked if I had painted my nails before. Of course not. Because of the school rules, we are not allowed to paint our nails or use any make-up. But it might be fun, I thought. At night, Natalie came. She is a very nice person. They asked me to pick a color, the blue one looked pretty, so I picked the blue one. I have never painted my nails, so Morgan offer to help.

She is patient and careful. While we were waiting for the nails to dry, we had some girl’s talk. It turned out that painting nails was really fun!

On the weekend, we slide on the hill. In Jiujiang, I have never slide. So I looked forward to sliding a lot. We took out a thing made of plastic used for sliding from the garage. Then we set off.

On the way, we talked about lots of things. Such as accents in China, her sister and her trip to China. On the hill, there were some people sliding. Anna slide with me at first, but it feels still scary. Got home , we made a huge snowball together. We intended to make a snowman at first, but for some reason, it didn’t work. But the snowball is really big, Morgan and me roll it to the stairs, so that everyone who drives by could see it. Just after a few hours, Mr. Rogers drove back home, he asked: “Did you guys make that snowball? I saw it on my way home.” “Haha…Yes, it is!” This special Sunday night happened to be the super bowl night. Lots of people came that night, we had a great time together. It’s funny that the most exciting part is Beyonce rather than the game. Beyonce is awesome, I totally agree.

It was school day again. YES! We have Spanish class! I always think Spanish is a fascinating language. We were sent to four different groups, there are only two people in each group actually.

They will teach us Spanish and we will teach them Chinese. My partners are two girls who are patient and nice. They taught me how to write and speak “ruler” “pen” “pencil” “paper” “horse” in Spanish once and once again. But I’m not good at memorizing so it still took me some time to remember these words. Then I taught them how to speak these words in Chinese. They are very clever, and they spoke just like local people. Because it’s my last day stay with the Rogers, they took me to ride horse. At the airport I said I have never rode a horse and I want to ride horse. I didn’t think they think highly of it. Morgan showed me around the stable and introduce the horses belonged to them to me. It seems everyone in Louisville are good at riding horses. Wearing the helmet, I started riding. Riding is so cool, it makes me feel like the knight in the past.
After 5 days I was sent to another host family. It was sad to say goodbye to the Rogers. They were really good to me. They all gave me a warm “American hug”.

The other day, Diana asked me to go to a chemistry class. So did I. I guess this class is mainly talk about the change of state related to the temperature and the pressure. I didn’t memorize any word about chemistry before I came to Louisville, so most of the time, I was guessing. Their class is greatly different from China. Every student can ask or answer question at any time during the class, which is not allowed in China. So American class is more free and it’s more about students.

Instead, in China, teacher is the spotlight.

After school, Colleen picked me up. We went to the kinder garden where Mrs. Orr works together. Then we went to Colleen’s house together. Through staying with them did I know that dinner is very important to Americans. Mrs. Orr said no matter how busy they are, they would always make some time to have a good dinner with families. We did pray before dinner. Mr. Orr said some prayers. I couldn’t understand what exactly he said. But I think it’s something good, something they wish for, something they believed in.

The next night we went to play bowling. Because Colleen was busy with her homework, so her brother Kevin took me there. It’s also a new thing for me. Kevin is really nice, he not only taught me how to bowl but also said I was good even though I knew I was bad. The most important thing is that all my friends came. We finally got a chance to talk about our experience. Principal Wang from the No.1 high school is good. He could really play it well for the first time.

Mrs. Wade organized a parade for the Chinese New Year. Everyone dressed up in Chinese style.

Also, the Dragon dance was performed by all the students who took Chinese class. We went around the school, from kinder garden to high school. Then some middle school students joined us, which made our group bigger. At night, we went to KCD for a dinner. It was a big meal. For the first time I felt at home. Get together with my friends in Jiujiang ,my teachers in Jiujiang and my new friends I made in the U.S.A., it’s just like getting together with my families at home. After the meal, there was a show for us, Chinese students’ talent show. It was great. At the end of the show, all the students from Jiujiang, including me, sang “:superstar” with Liz, Carly and Colleen. It was perfect. It showed the friendship between American and Chinese.

One night Mrs. Orr told me some Kentucky stars. I have never thought that Jennifer Lawrence was brought up in Louisville. What is more exciting is that Mrs. Orr promised me to take me to her old house to have a look. One day, when I was walking the dog with Colleen, suddenly, she said: “That’s Jennifer Lawrence’s old house.” I was surprised. I can’t see Jennifer Lawrence though, seeing her old house is awesome as well.

All good things must come to an end. I have to say goodbye to the Colleens. It’s a pity that I can only stay for a few days. But our friendship will last much longer than that.

Thanks to both my host families, I did lots of American things. I got my nails painted for the first time. I play bowling for the first time. I ate raw vegetables for the first time.

American lifestyle is different from Chinese. For example, they take showers in the morning, we take showers in the evening. They eat with fork and knife, we eat with chopsticks. But as for food, I have to be honest, I like Chinese food better. Maybe because people from different areas have different taste. I just can’t get used to the American food very well.

The two weeks I spent in Louisville let me know that there is a place called America, and people there are very friendly and nice. They also yearn for other cultures. They advocate freedom and equality.

 I really miss the two weeks that I spent in Louisville!

 

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Entry 4: My Time in Louisville by He Xinwei

I woke up in the morning,and looked outside the window.To my surprise,it was snowing.The snow fell on the grass,the trees, the road,and the roofs.Everything was covered in white.It was so quiet,and I can almost hear the sound when a snowflake fell on the window in front of me.What a beautiful morning!Just like in a fairy tale,I thought.

Because of the snow,that day was not only beautiful,but also full of excitement.In the afternoon,we went to a park.Although the weather was freezing,there were still a lot of people jogging along the road,and many people were walking their dogs.So interesting!When we arrived,Jewelz took out two sliding boards from her car.Let’s start sliding,she said.I was excited but also a little nervous,because it was my first time,and I had never seen it before.I watched my friends and other people slide down the hill,they laughed and screamed.It seemed like a great fun.

Soon,it was my turn.I sat on the sliding board carefully,then firmly grasped the edge of it.Someone pushed my back,and I started to slide down.My speed was growing,but I felt no more nervous.I could feel the cold wind blowing beside me,and the board chafed on the snow on the ground.I became so fast and I found it was really amazing.When I stopped at the bottom of the hill,I wished my next turn would come soon.

One after another,we all enjoyed sliding.Although I knocked into a tree at one time,but I will still say that I love sliding.Everybody played and laughed together,there’s nothing more meaningful than our friendship.
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Entry 10: The Blue Sky by Huang Hao

The sky is not blue here.Only can I see some deadwood right their hands to the sky.Sometimes it’s white,but that kind of white is not clear.It is just a gloss beneath the smog.There are some gray buildings standing there and don’t move.Maybe they are affected by the sad world.It seems like that there is just some cold winter here.

What I miss is the transoceanic pure sky.Sometimes it is also white,but that kind of white is really clear and there definitely no impurity in it.

For America,the impressive thing is the blue sky.I believe that everyone can feel it because everyone has some photos about this beautiful sky.Everyone wants to keep beautiful things in there minds.

The first day in Los Angeles was a sunny day.Seems like we were really lucky that day because it rained yesterday.When we were sit in the car,we sill can see the blue sky through the window.We tried hard to let our cameras get closer to the windows so that we can get more beautiful scenary.Alough we were on freeway,diffrents kinds of cars still grabbed our attention.You could see some funny bubble cars passing by but they were used fot feighting.Some fashion cars also passed by.Maybe you could see a little peppy was looking outside by the window of the car.That’s fun!Different cars,different lifestyles.

There is a flourishing city under the endless blue sky,just like it is surrounded by a blue crystal ball.And peole live there very happy.

We would get to Louisville soon.I was really nervous and hopeful.Nervous for meeting my host family,hopeful for living there for 10 days.I just set aside these problems and open window of the aircraft.What I saw shocked myself.The sky was almost transparent blue,and this blue extended to the end of the warld..At the botton,continuous snow covered the ground.Both blue and white are my favorite colors.So when they got together and showed such a beautiful picture,I couldn’t look away.I think I ‘ll keep it in my mind forever.

Waking up naturally,I open the curtain.Surprisingly,I found it was snowing.I rushed out with Helen and Jackson excitedly.Then we had a snowfight and skiing.These small sleds were just like some small little boats.Though my first skiing was failed because we hit the tree,I was still happy.Staying with your family is such a satisfying thing.Their happy faces in my mind can always reminds me of that time.

Parting is better to meet.Though I really didn’t want to leave this school,my family and this city,I had to say goodbye.

I would remember everything they did for me,every words they said to me.Thank you is not enough,but I sill want to say thank you!

College is a beautiful dream and a bright future to people.So I could see blue sky in the colleges.

University of Louisville just like a town.Many main buildings were town hall,church and bank and so on.Students dormitories were the houses of people.Uner the blue sky’s watching,people lived peaceful and energetic.I noticed a glass-enclosed building.The blue sky was in the glass,so the people just like walking in the sky.They were birds,flying in the sky freely.

On the way back home,I saw some clouds in the sky.They liked wools because they were curly.Incidentally,some sheep were eating grass under their wools.Peaceful life here was really good.Mayve I want to choose to live here one day.

Do sill remember the Tear Square in the Stanford?That was a amazing place.When I saw it,my first touch was to rush to the grass and lie there forever.Of course,we did that.Though it was afternoon when we got Stanford,there was some water drops in the grass.Suddenly I felt my tears drop into the grass,togethered with these nature water.No one couldn’t be moved by this green grass.The blue sky was right over us.This sky whitnessed this school’s history.Without it,Stanford could not be so beautiful and successful.

 Finally we should go home.I missed my family,my house and my bed,but I sill miss the blue sky of America.So I made a decision,I will come back to that place to achieve my dream.I miss the people that I care about there.And I believe that my dream will come true!

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Entry 9: My Time in Louisville by Zhong Weiyu (Jessica)

I just can’t describe my feeling right now.I missed Louisville all the time since I left this city.

I stayed in Louisville for one week.This week was just like the happiest dream that I do wanted to remember forever.

I knew the weather in Louisville is very cold,so I expected this city is always snowy so that I can make snowmen,have a snowball fight,hide behind a snowdrift,even lie on the snow.It must be very cool!

To my surprise,there was little snow that I couldn’t do the things I expected to do,and Louisville did not even snow while I visited,but there was blue sky,the colour was pretty pure ,so the sky was just like transparent crystal.It was too fantastic and amazing that made me feel that everything is not true,and there was also fresh air which made me feel really comfortable. You just need to look far into the distance from a high place and take a deep breathe,every problem will go away and you don’t feel unhappy at all,so you completely relax yourself!

I spent two days studying in the schools.One was called Noe Middle school,and my hostsister Mekenna was studying in this school.The other one called Assumption High School.I made a friend there who always smiles,her name was Katly.She was kind,friendly,elegant and polite,and I found that it’s interesting to talk to her about entertainment and knowledge.Everyone in the schools were very nice,I love them very much.

My favorite memory was to spend time with my hostfamily.My hostfather’s name was James,he was a very strong man, he was funny and affable,and he works in the government.What a pity I’m not good at politic.My hostmother Debbie was a teacher whose job is to teach little kids,she was smart,and she always takes part in some parties.My hostsister Cailin was 11,and she was really mischievous and cherubic,so I wished she can become my sister.The other hostsister,Mekenna,was a beauty,and she was cool,like a popular star.I thought there must be many boys who love her.

The day before we were gone,my hostfamily took me to a park,and we spent a half day playing in the park.I enjoyed playing on a swing.Rock climbing was my favorite sport.It was so excited!I never do this before,because in China,the majority of parents don’t want their children to do such dangerous sports. While we were playing,my hostmother and my hostfather were sitting in the woods ,hugging each other and whispering.These sights made me feel warm and made me have a feeling of home.Such feelings I’ll never forget.

The experience and the time in Louisville is the most precious thing in my childhood.I’ll keep it in my memory,my mind,and my heart,forever.
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Entry 11: The Trip to Louisville by Gao Shenghan (Rena)

This journey to Louisville was extremely wonderful and colorful . I lived in the local family , and went to the American school , joined their classes and so on . Now , I'd like to say something about this trip.

The thing I like best in Louisville is the American class . It is much easier, happier, and more relaxed than the Chinese class . Students can even sit on the floor during the class, you know , this is forbidden in a Chinese class . The relationship between the teachers and students is also extremely nice . They are just like friends all the time (not only after class) .

The students have plenty of questions in the class , much more than the Chinese students' . This is good for keeping children's creative abilities . Of course , I also made friends with the American students . They were all very kind to me when I was in their class. That was them who made feel like I was at home and show me the American warmth to the exchange students. I learnt a lot from them and we got along very well.

Before I went to the America , I thought that all the Americans like eating hamburgers , French fries, ....just like the food in McDonald's. But when I was with my homestay family , I saw that they always eat healthy food like spaghetti. This is very different from what the America was like in my mind before. But all the others are quite the same, like the big houses, the great classes, the nice place...

 I told my Chinese friends that this trip was really wonderful , especially in Louisville. This little city is much smaller than Chengdu , but it is more beautiful and pleasant. There is even no traffic jam in Louisville. How nice it is! This city is a good place for study, too. Students here are more free, relaxes, creative and happier. I love this kind of study style so much !

 This trip for me is just like a dream, but it is real. I will never forget this wonderful time in the America. And I will study much harder , for one day I can come to the America, the dreadful land!

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Entry 12: Wonderful Time in Louisville by Huang Feifei

This winter vocation is so special to me, which is unforgettable --- I went to Louisville. I have to say Louisville is really a good place. The sky is bright and blue, the people are hospitably and the food is so delicious.

I have two host families in Louisville and I have made a lot of friends in Collegiate. Andrea is my first host. I like her very much. She is nice, funny and outgoing. Then Carly, she is friendly and easy going. We do a lot of things together. also I have many other friends in Louisville, like Anna, Senth, Colleen, Austin, and so on.

February 4th is my birthday, I have my most beautiful memory there . My host and friends held a birthday party for me. I was so surprised and moved. They gave me lots of gifts. We had French fries, a big chocolate cake and ice cream. Carly was a little bit late because she herself made a brownie for me .There was "Happy Birthday" on it. The biggest surprise was that the words were in Chinese. We were happy that night.

The study is different from what I thought about. Before I went Louisville, I thought it must be very relaxing for them to study, no homework no exams, having fun in class and play after that, but it is not so. In Collegiate, they can sit causally and ask questions freely in class, which is different from what we do in China, but still they have to finish the assignment on time, and some of them are about social practice, which you have to spend a lot of time on. I remember one time I was having a literary lesson in Collegiate, we were talking about a novel we read , first we were divided into two groups, students in group one say what the novel is about and how they thought about it, group two took notes and spoke up their opinions then, we did these in turns and discussed warmly. Their after-class activities are rich and colorful , maybe what they are doing now is what they want to do in the future and they are very into the activities.

America is not as serious as some European countries, it is even a bit causal in my eyes, but I admire some principles of theirs and the friendship and respect between people is what we should learn from, I hope my dream will come true in America.

It is not easy for me to write about all my feelings about this wonderful experience, it has been part of my life and will make a big difference to me , America is an attractive and amazing country as China, I’d like to visit it once again.

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Entry 2: My Dreamlike Journey by Tina Lin

My dreamlike journey
-Tina lin
This journey is more like a dream than a trip for me. The blue sky, the shinning sun, children’s smile, people’s help all give me a great memory. This journey make me love this place successfully, I want to be back again when I grow up to study abroad at the university.

After I entered the airport in Louisville, my hosts: MRs Ghali Iman Georges came ande carried me home. They gave me some balloons to celebrate my arrival and provided me a brilliance bedroom. Then I give them back something in China as the gifts. That night was peace and quiet, and my hosts’ enthusiasm and sanguine give me a really good impression.

Then the second day I went to the school with Iman. That is really different from Chinese school and it’s also the most important things that I’d like to share with my friend in China. I think maybe American education da more care about children’s interest than Chinese’s. They have lots of interesting classes, and all the teachers are very nice. I think that’s not only a class but a family. They say hallo to everyone and talk with others play with others, not like the relationship between children and teacher in China.

Then I became friends with Iman lilian Gracie and so on. Such as the American girl in my memory, they are very cute and always smiling at me. We study together, eat behind a same table ande go shopping together, just had a wonderful time. And we still keep contact on Instagram now.

I have to say that I love the sun set in America so much, and certainly I took so many picture there. I think that’s my favorite memory.

I love this dreamlike journey so much. Wish I can back to America again in the future.

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Entry 1: My Time in Louisville by Wei Yinna (Joyce)

This winter holiday,I went to Louisville,America to be an exchange student for two weeks.It was a really memorable experience for me.

I lived with Rachel Rawlings, a teacher in KCD.She's a really kind person.I usually can't speak very well,and make some mistakes,but she didn't mind and was never impatient of that. She told me lots of things about America,like cultures,rules,habits and so on.She was always very careful to take care of me,just like my mother.I love her very much!

In Louisville,we studied with American students in KCD.Teachers and students there are friendly to us.The first day in KCD,Mr. Mahaffey took us on a walk around the school.They held a celebration for us. Students sang,played the piano and danced to the music.It was really exciting!After that,we went to a world history class,it was my first class there.Teacher arranged some classwork for American students,and gave us some students' homework about religions to read. Students found some introduce and pictures about five or six religions to make into the shape of the book.They are very beautiful.Actually,that's the first time I really felt the Americans creativity.

The second day,we went to Rachel's class. After we told students that our class begins at seven thirty,and ends at 10pm,they said"How can you survive?"with surprised.We heard that twice there.Actually,we also complain like that sometimes, because it's really tiring.
In KCD,I like ceramic class best. It was the first time that I saw the process of making ceramics, and it's really interesting to make a ceramic by myself!
The thing about America that surprised me most is we never heard a whistle.Maybe it's normal for American,but it's amazing for Chinese.The other thing that is amazing for Chinese is that high school students can bring their computers to classes,and they can use them. They can even leave their seat in classes.You know,in our classes,the only thing that we can do is look at teachers and listen to them .It's really boring,isn't it?
At the end,I want to say,I love America,I love Louisville,I love KCD,I'll be back!

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Entry 7: My story with the Nelsons by Wang Tianhe

My Story With The Nelsons
——Wang tianhe

In this winter holiday, as a member of Jiujiang teacher and student delegation, I attended a U.S.A. exchange program organized by the City Board of Education. This was also my first time to America. I feel lucky and grateful. The city for exchange is Louisville, Kentucky. We arrived the airport in Louisville in the evening of January 31stafter a long flight. Host families had already been waiting there. In the distance, noticing a lady and a handsome little boy holding a board with my name on it, I walked toward them excitedly. That’s how I met The Nelsons. It’s also the beginning of my story.
Mom, from my host family, drove us home. Hardly to see night view of the city in the car because of the snow, Mom caringly stopped the car and walked with me for a while. She pointed to the nearby Ohio River and introduced it is the only river in the city. Dense woods lay around it. Separated apartments are orderly arranged on each side of the road. My first impression of the town is...what a tranquil, natural and clean place!

 Car finally stopped in front of a red apartment. That’s my host family, the Nelsons’ home. Although it was snowing outside, I felt very warm inside, especially with a fireplace burning. I only saw this kind of house design, maybe a European style in general, on TV. Mom guided me to my room, a large place with a big bed in it. The decoration warmed my heart. I felt home.

 The Nelsons has four people. Mom is Tricia, Father is Jim, the bigger brother is Jamie, the younger one named Connor. The brothers are very adorable, especially Connor, lovely as a doll. They also raise a dog, Rocko and a cat, Dusty. Now, I am accepted as another member of the family. They are my American parents and brothers.

Because this was my first time ever being abroad and I was new to this family. At first, I was a little bit reserved, not knowing how to react or communicate. But all the family members were very enthusiastic; the two brothers always invited me to play with them. Gradually, I was influenced by their hospitality, involved in my new family and started to experience a new life whole-heartedly.

I’ll start with the food. Different from what we eat for breakfast in China, like crullers (“you tiao” in Chinese) and steamed buns (“baozi” in Chinese), every morning, Mom would make each of us a dessert, along with tomato sauce and a glass of milk. Jamie and I would have lunch in school cafeteria, normally it’s a buffet. At first I couldn’t get used to it, because vegetables there are eaten raw, not like everything in China are thoroughly cooked. However, I adapted myself to it. On weekends, we normally go outside to play and ate fast-food, like KFC. Compared with KFC chain stores in China, local KFC tasted better, but poor on products’ variety. KFC’s hometown is Kentucky; its headquarter locates in Louisville. At evenings, we usually ate at home. The family sit together. Dishes were served in order by Mom. Then we’d pass the course around, each spooned out the amount needed. We often talked while eating; I would tell them what had happened during the day. Communication brought us closer and added more and more intimacy among us. In three meals, dinner was always the most fancy one. My American parents would cook by themselves, serving soup, fried dishes and fruit salad.

Attending American classes was an important part of our exchange program. I was allocated to study in an independent school, KCD, equivalent to a domestic key school. Mom drove Jamie and I to school everyday. Father would take Connor to another school. On campus, while Jamie went to his own class, I would sit in on different classes of each grade with other Jiujiang students. Classroom arrangements are casual. Almost each subject has its own classroom, decorated in different styles. We had classes from history, art, music, physics to P.E. The room for art and craft lesson displays vivid clay sculptures. We made potteries with local students. There are various instruments in music room. Students sit together in a circle to learn. The platform in physical schoolroom is a standardized lab table, very convenient for teachers’ demonstration. I showed them the power-point I made and introduced Jiujiang’s scenery and history. There are only 19 students in each class, so they have lots of space to move around. Kids are divided into different groups. Same group members sit together around a desk. We as visitors can join whichever group we’d like and communicate with them. Each classroom has bookshelves. Students can leave seats to fetch whatever books they need in class without informing teachers. During P.E. Class and lunch breaks, they have various physical activities, some I had never seen in China. For ball games only, they play basketball, football, ping-pong and Cross. Besides, they play frisbees. In KCD, foreign language study has three main kinds, including French, Spanish and Latin. Children can choose one or two to learn. Classes start at 8:05 a.m. everyday and close at 15:05 p.m.. After school, while Jamie was finishing his homework on library’s computer, I would go online and waited Mom to pick us home. The library is large. Librarians here carefully fulfilled their duties, wrapping each book, sweeping the floor. Outside the library, there is a small fountain. The whole place looked clean and neat, showing a unity of standstill and movement.

Everyday, after school is our entertainment time. The Nelsons’ basement is specially designed for this purpose. Jamie, Connor and I would play ping-pong down there. The ping-pong table was put up with boards and battens, temporarily found by father. We would watch TV or practice basketball shots with a small ball. My two brothers really like slamming dunks. They usually became sweaty after practices. Speaking of basketball, I have a LOT to say. 11-year-old Jamie joined two basketball teams; 9-year-old Connor joined three. From these, you can see their passion about playing basketball. Sometimes, after school, we played in the open area just in front of the house. Occasionally, father would join us and gave instructions from time to time. We were devoted but also with great ease. Sometimes we lowered the basket and dunked, it felt so great! Jamie and Connor had trainings twice or three times a week. I often went to watch them. Players in training classes were small, including both boys and girls. Their bodies were only about twice as large as the ball. All the players were very devoted during the training, competing against each other. I once asked Connor, is attending three basketball teams tiring? His answer was NO, because he loved it. Through them, I can tell why America’s basketball leads the world. Besides regular training classes, on weekends, they had competitions to play now and then. I watched some of the matches. Despite players’ young age, they fought for scores aggressively. Audiences also played a vital role, full of passion. I remembered at the end of one competition, when a small player hit an amazing 3-point buzzer and sent the match into overtime, he won a standing ovation. What a wonderful shoot! Jamie and Connor had great performances too. They were the main players on the court. Jamie scored 6 points once. Connor gained 8 points in another game. However, they never cared much about the results. They thought it was even more important to eat good food after games. How lovely!

Compared to NBA, a name more familiar to us Chinese; Nelsons prefer NCAA, namely National Collegiate Athletic Association. They knew how I loved watching basketball games; so on a weekend, they drove me to KFC center for a female basketball game. It’s my first live game in a large stadium and it felt really different! All the cheering squad dancing, passionate young fans yelling were infectious and awesome! Sometimes the big screen flashed “MAKE SOME NOISE!” and waves of shouts and whistles erupted like crazy. We watched another male basketball game on TV at home, with guest team University of Louisville against home team University of Notre Dame. Just when we thought the game would end with University of Louisville’s sweeping victory, University of Notre Dame miraculously scored 12 points within the last 42 seconds, throwing the whole game into overtime. At both the second and fourth overtime, University of Notre Dame worked wonders and equaled the score at the last moment. Jamie, Connor and I applauded for the fifth overtime on our couch. Finally by the end of the fifth overtime, University of Louisville missed a three-point shot and lost the game. Fans for University of Notre Dame flooded into the filed, celebrating with players as if they’d won the National Champion. We watched the whole game till dawn. I’m so lucky to watch such a wonderful game with five overtimes during my short visit in Louisville. I’m going to share my excitement with my classmates in China.

I had a great time with the Nelsons. They took me shopping, watching horse racing, bowling and playing Ping-Pong. We even visited a Swiss man in his eighties and invited other children for party at home. Sometimes I taught Jamie and Connor simple Chinese characters and dialogues. All in all, every day is full of joy.

On the Eve of Chinese New year, Mom and I pasted spring festival couplets and paper-cuts to the door and windows, a perfect harmony between Chinese and western culture. I sent them some gifts with Chinese features, such as pens, chopsticks, cups and pencil vases made of porcelain, Peking opera facial masks and Chinese knots. The school held a delightful spring festival party for us and there I even had a long-lost taste of Chinese food.

How time flies! The exchange soon came to an end and I had to leave Louisville and the Nelsons. The evening before my departure, I lied in bed, replaying in my mind every moment with the Nelsons during those days. Sleep escaped me, so I went to my litter brothers’ room. Sensing my sadness, they didn’t say a word, just hugged me tightly.

In the morning of Feb. 11th, 2013 local time, we got up very early. Mom cooked my favorite food. This was the last time I had breakfast at the Nelsons, who knows when I can have another opportunity?

After breakfast, mom gave me a notebook with photos and letters from each member of the Nelsons. I clutched the notebook and hugged them again. All I could say was I love you! I also gave mom a notebook with my wishes for them in Chinese. My English wasn’t enough for my feeling, if only they could understand Chinese! I hope my small gifts from China can be a reminder of our time together.

Finally it’s time to say goodbye. After Mom led me and Jamie in the bus I waved goodbye to dad and Connor through the window glass. I was so sad that I just couldn’t spare them more glances. After the bus pulled up at school, I hugged mom and Jamie again. Mom was smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. I’m afraid I’m going to cry too, so I said “Mom I love you” and didn’t dare to look them in the eyes again.

I’m very grateful to Nelsons for their care and hospitality. The different culture and life style I experienced there have become one of my sweetest memories. I will always love my American mom, dad and little brothers as I love my own family.

Adieu, Louisville! Adieu, my dear Nelsons!

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Entry 8: My Time in Louisville by Xu Shengwei

It’s was snowing when I walked out of the Louisville Airport. The white snow in the wind fell on my cheek, but it felt sift and I didn’t feel cold. At that moment, I began my life and study exchange with American students.

As initial visiting the Collegiate School, we found it is not a big one but is fully equipped. Here, there are all kinds of classrooms such as Chinese, physics and even biology with boa constrictor etc. However, in China, our school is very different. It’s amazing! Surprisedly, I found three exchange students from China. They introduced us the Collegiate School in Chinese and communicated with their classmates in fluent English. Sometimes there are some local students talking with us and asking us some questions in Chinese, they can not speak Chinese very well so that we had to answer their questions about China in English, but I thought it was a wonder chance to me. In that case, I forgot to express myself in Chinese. I got used to the life here.

The weather in Louisville varies with days. It was on a rainy day that I took a photography lesson whit a Chinese student, the teacher of which is a kind middle-aged woman. She was surprised and pleased when I took her lesson. During our lesson we stayed in a darkroom which is equipped with advanced facilities for developing films. Of course, all films should be developed by students themselves. We really felt happy when one film after another was developed by us.

Besides photography lessons, I also took three periods of art classes about mask. In class we created a strange and exaggerated mask with a kind of paper board and waste newspaper and then carved it with a kind of mud. Finally we colored it with bright colors. When we did it attentively, the teacher also helped us with it patiently. But in China, we choose to devote our attention to science classes instead of art classes. It is a different way to access to education, so the school lives are different between China and America. I love Chinese school but then I was really moved by the diversified environment, the open attitude and the close relationship between students and teachers. The students here, no matter what race, no matter where they come from, sat together in the same classroom studying actively and enjoyed their favorite lunch together. Here anybody would like to open the door of the teaching building for you no matter what the weather is like.

Ten days’ trip to Louisville was over soon. We said goodbye to them. It was a sad time because I thought it was too hard to say goodbye to Louisville, to the Collegiate School, to my host families, to the teachers and students here. It was not sunny day like California here, sometimes it rained and sometimes it was sunny, sometimes the wind runs behind your eyes and sometimes the snowflakes are sleeping in your hair. There are four seasons obviously here and the weather is changing anytime, what is unbreakable is that the people here are passionate and warmly.

With the time passing by, wish the trip gave us lasting impression forever! I will never forget the short history about my time in Louisville.

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Hays Hopkins: Closing out my stay in Mainz

Today is the day that I receive my certificate and I am already aware that I have received excellent results.  This is despite all of my worries to the contrary.  It was truly a difficult course, but, for that reason, extraordinarily helpful.  After taking the A2 certificate test in May, I arrive in Mainz and actually skipped ahead to B1.5 instead of just B1.  That slight bump up immensely increased what I have been able to take from this experience.  The benefit of an experience like this cannot be replicated in one's private studies and I will greatly miss it.

Beyond the academics, the lifestyle is one to which I know I could grow accustomed.  I've used public transportation only a handful of times and have, instead, gotten around town on a bike that the Freundschaftkreis was generous enough to lend me--not to mention the amazing barbecue they invited me too.  There has been more than one day where I have found myself in some new area just through a spirit of adventure afforded by having a bicycle at my disposal.  I have found more places and experienced more sights.  I will remember my time here without even the slightest tinge of negativity.

I would like to end on a note about my German teacher here.  It is probably true that us Americans can be a little behind Europeans on politeness.  However, that does not serve as any indication of my level of respect for Stephan Stachorski.  His humor and liveliness can serve as a complete rebuttal of the stereotype of German severity.  These qualities also made five hours of German course a pleasure.  It is hard to imagine feeling more engaged in the material and being more excited by German grammar!  For all of these reasons, my time here has been invaluable and I would highly recommend a visit to our sister city, Mainz.

 

Hays Hopkins: My Arrival in Mainz, Germany

My first week and a half in Mainz has been both fantastic and fast.  It started with getting a lift from Frankfurt airport by Frau Karst of the Mainz Freundschaftkreis; after being in Heathrow for 8 hours overnight the appreciation of this gesture cannot be overstated.  After arriving at my place and taking a short nap, my first night ended with me being treated to dinner by Frau Karst and, another Sister Cities member, Frau Bell Koehler.  These gestures on my first day are entirely indicative of my stay thus far.

Classes started, and continue, in a flurry.  My teacher is so patient and conscious of the students that I feel that I’ve had no trouble integrating into an all German-language classroom.  I wish I could say the same for the times that I have hung out with German students!  It is difficult to keep up to the normal pace, but I have been hanging in there.  The students in my dormitory have asked me out to play soccer and just walk along the Rhine.  Along with the leisure program of the summer course, my schedule is rather full.

As to the theme of what I have learned so far, I do have an interesting story.  Another member of the Mainz Freundschaftkreis invited me to his house for a BBQ.  Herr Licht graciously invited me into his home and we entered into a discussion on cultural differences.  He reminded me that, although Americans can often find Germans too rude or direct, that I must not interpret actions from my own cultural vantage point.  Having to keep this in mind on a daily basis brings my academic learning to reality; however, I have, admittedly, had  little chance to exercise such understanding, as everyone has been so welcoming.
Bis bald!