When you think of a class trip to Washington D.C., what do you think of? Monuments, statues, a White House tour? Well, for students in Ms. Kuo’s Chinese class, that was not the focus of their trip to Washington. Instead, students were treated to ambassadors and representatives, college tours, and the best food in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia).
The DMV is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. It falls below New York City but has just as much pride as the Big Apple. D.C. houses representatives, staffers, journalists, and even the president. 200 years ago, it was only a dream for the nation’s top politicians to house themselves there. Now, half a million people call Washington D.C. home.
Whether it is a pink Buddhist temple or the Hirschhorn (a modern art museum), D.C. has it all.
However, the most impactful stop for many students was the Chinese embassy. After a brief check-in with security, name tags, and introductions, students toured the embassy.
Students asked the ambassadors about their daily meetings and the embassy after COVID.
“I enjoyed the peek into the life of an ambassador. Their insight was informative and helped me decide on my future career,” stated senior Benen Pantier.
Teacher Heidi Kuo, a first-time D.C. visitor, felt her students were given the opportunity of a lifetime, thanks to their chance to experience many new things.
“My students are extremely lucky to have been able to go to the embassy in D.C. I am proud of this group’s ability to get on a plane, navigate a new city, and prepare themselves for a talk on the relationship between America and China,” she explained.
Despite this being the first trip for many, the group adapted to the life of a D.C. native. The metro, or subway, was the most popular way of traveling. The metro served as a moment to decompress and rest from their long days of fast-paced walking around the mall.
China Town in Washington D. C. Photo by Tyler Lucas.
“The mall really is a beautiful spot to be in,” stated senior Jolet Escobar.
The mall is a two-mile area from Capitol Hill to the White House. Besides a brisk walk, students and chaperones photo-oped through the stretch.
On the same stretch of land was Constitution Avenue. Although it wasn’t where the Constitution was signed, it sits in the heart of D.C. and gives natives and groups a chance to experience a rich history. To honor this history, the city’s government holds parades and celebrations to honor its colonial past.
Luckily, the trip Chinese students took to D.C. coincided with a special parade filled with free merchandise, ice cream, and balloon versions of Strawberry Shortcake, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.
“The trip to Washington was heightened by the parade. The weather was nice, the music was there, and most important of all, students were excited about attending,” said chaperone and program officer for the Stanley Center, Krista Regennitter.
Regennitter was a key player in making this entire trip happen.
“I spent over three months planning a trip from 17 to D.C. I was connected to the idea of a successful trip. A part of my job is to ensure students are able to experience the world around them while also teaching them life skills for later on,” explained Regennitter.
Students in both Chinese three and four feel grateful for Krista’s pivotal role in making this trip happen.
