Ignorance is Never Bliss:
Reach Beyond Our Borders
by Amanda Heverly, UBCS Senior
In past years if you were to walk down the halls of UBCS, there is a good possibility that you would catch bits of conversations about weekend plans, homework, upcoming tests and just normal “teen” conversation. This year, there seems to be, along with the old bits of conversation, a new type of banter. Descriptive words like “Awesome”, “Romantic” and even the time old remark, “Sweet” have now taken on a new and almost foreign sound. This is because Upper Bucks now has within its halls two new foreign exchange students. Susan (Clark) known in China as, Xuechen (Liu) which means “born on a snowy morning” and JoJo (Bright) known in China Zhou (Zhou) which means “does what she likes.” When I first received the opportunity to meet Susan and JoJo in my Home Economics class, I initially found myself shouting or even repeating myself multiple times to somehow clarify and make my foreign words understandable. Even though our first meeting was not as comprehensible as I would have liked, I am thrilled and honored that I have had the opportunity to create a friendship and build acquaintances with Susan and JoJo. Though I have taken advantage of the opportunity to learn about China, I can’t help but feeling as though not everyone has shared in my excitement of learning about China through these girls.
From an outsiders’ point of view, one can never truly experience Chinese life, but through talking and discussing with the locals, one can know what the Chinese country has to offer. My locals are Susan and JoJo. Words similar to “Pleasureful, Competitive, Full, Unique, Close, Awesome, and Delicious” are just some of the words that they use to describe Chinese life. Though each arrived in America from the country of China separately, both girls first reaction was similar but they experienced different
feelings upon their arrival. Susan says, “I was curious, excited, and nervous to go to school and come to America. I was also nervous to learn a new language,” some of which she already had learned before her adventure here. JoJo describes her early feelings as, “I thought America was beautiful. I said, ‘American people know how to enjoy life!’” I asked them both to tell me what they thought made America so great. Susan said, “America is totally different, new experiences, and most powerful in world, everyone know that.” JoJo said she felt what made America so great was, “Freedom! You can believe anything you want!”
To help you get to know the girls a bit better, I should first explain where they are each from. JoJo lives in Beijing, China with her father, Yuong Fu (Zhou), who is a doctor, and her mother, Jiny Shi (Miao), who is a nurse. Susan lives in Dong-Guan City in the Guangdong Province of China, about three hours from Hong Kong. Her father’s name is Guo Yu (Liu) and he works for a telephone company. Susan’s mother’s name is Fulan (Li) and she works for a Chinese post office. They both go to a public school in their hometown where they attend school all week except for Sundays. Both Susan and JoJo live at their school and enjoy everyday teen activities, such as talking about boys, making food, shopping and going to McDonalds. When asked what they would both remember as the number one thing about America, Susan said, “School life,
people, friends, host family (the Clarks)” and also her newfound English language skills. JoJo says, “She will always remember Christian life and friends.”
Both girls would love to come back to finish their senior year in America and attend college here. I am grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know both Susan and JoJo. I would encourage you to reach beyond your comfort zone, get to know them and explore exciting new adventures. You can reach beyond your “borders” just by talking to those unknown to you, even students from a different country. Break the barriers of ignorance and learn about as many people and countries as you can.