Maldivian High School Students on First Visit to China Made this wish

Source: Beijing Daily

With the New Year just days away, a delegation comprising 12 Maldivian high school students and three teachers embarked on a trip to China, their hearts brimming with curiosity and anticipation. On December 24, they arrived at the Huilongguan Campus of Changping No. 2 High School, an important stop on their trip. At the school, they conducted lively exchanges with Chinese students and participated in several classes, writing a new chapter of China-Maldives friendship and cultural exchanges.

This visit is organized by the China-Maldives Cultural Association (CMCA) with the coordination of the BPAFFC. In the coming days, the delegation will not only engage in deep interactions on campus but also take a tour of iconic attractions such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, watch traditional acrobatic performances, and get a taste of hotpot before wrapping up their five-day trip in Beijing.

Mohamed Shauf, a member of the CMCA Board, remarked, “This is undoubtedly a wonderful opportunity for Maldivian students to experience other civilizations firsthand, especially the profound Chinese culture. As you know, with its long history and rich heritage, Chinese culture is quite different from that of the Maldives, a relatively young nation with less cultural heritage. I sincerely hope that students from both countries can spark ideas through interactions and freely share each other’s cultures.”

Four students in the delegation are travelling abroad for the first time, including 17-year-old Imna. Before coming to Beijing, Imna took the time to learn some basic Chinese greetings such as “Ni Hao” (hello), “Zai Jian” (goodbye), and “Hen Gaoxing Renshi Ni” (nice to meet you). Although her pronunciation was not perfect, this demonstrates her keen enthusiasm and anticipation for the journey ahead.

What has impressed Imna the most is the programming class she attended in the morning. With the explanation and guidance of the students from Changping No.2 High School, Imna got hands-on in navigating a robot through a predefined path. This novel and fun experience was a blend of surprise and delight for her. In contrast, 17-year-old Ahmed found the class quite challenging as he had never been exposed to programming before. He couldn’t help but marvel at the “high-tech” touch of the class. Through the interactions, Imna and Ahmed gained a high regard for the educational standards in China, noting that the students here have a wide range of interests and are impressively versatile. It is because of this that a seed of a dream has been quietly planted in their hearts – “I want to come to Beijing for college in the future.”

The robotics club at Changping No. 2 High School is a hallmark of the school’s curriculum, having earned the title of Robot Branch of the Beijing Jinpeng Science and Technology Group. In the club, students can not only delve into cutting-edge knowledge such as robot programming and hardware assembly but also hone their skills in communication and coordination through practice.

“I’ve made a group of wonderful friends who are incredibly welcoming and friendly,” said Sakha, a student from the Maldives. After class, she enthusiastically posed for photos with her Chinese counterparts and exchanged tokens of friendship. The Chinese students had prepared 3D-printed keychains bearing the school emblem, while the Maldivian students offered charming mini coconuts. Sakha beamed with pride, “These mini coconuts are a symbol of our country, and I’m thrilled to give them to my new friends in China.”

The programming class was followed by an intriguing calligraphy session. It is the first time that the Maldivian students have held a brush in their hands. Somewhat awkwardly yet with great earnestness, they practiced again and again writing the Chinese character “Fu” (meaning blessing and good fortune), which is pasted on the doors during the Chinese New Year. The students were fully immersed in the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.

The Maldivian students, accustomed to the warmth of their island country in the Indian Ocean, were greeted by the winter chill upon their arrival in Beijing. However, the frigid air couldn’t cool their passion for interacting and connecting with their peers. As perceptions of a bustling, modern, and clean city align with what they see around them, the students grow increasingly eager about the rest of their itinerary, yearning to uncover more of the captivating mysteries on this ancient land.