Trip reshapes Canadian students' views on China

Canadian university students who spent two weeks studying in Beijing this fall said their firsthand experience of China differed sharply from what they had encountered through Western media coverage.

"Looking back, I think what impressed me the most about China was the stark difference between how it's portrayed in our media and how it actually is," said Daniel William Ho.

Ho, a student at the University of Waterloo, took part in a Chinese culture immersion program at Beijing Normal University.

Ho said Beijing felt "safe, secure, and the cleanest I've ever seen", adding that public transit was "in another world" and calling the experience "the most freeing and transformative two weeks in my university career".

For Conner Sherman Tye, a political science major, the trip reshaped how he viewed political discourse surrounding China. "Western media outlets nearly always portray China in a negative light, citing its problems as an indictment of the whole society," he said.

After speaking directly with people in Beijing, Tye said he found that Chinese people were much more politically informed than the average US people or Canadian.

Other students emphasized how China's rapid development coexists with daily life and historical continuity. Gia-Thanh Yvonne Ly said her visit left her with a "far more nuanced and positive" understanding of the country.

"From ancient temples and preserved cultural sites to innovative skyscrapers and carefully designed city layouts, the architectural landscape reflected a long and rich history as well as a strong sense of modern ambition," she said.

Ly also highlighted the efficiency of everyday systems, saying that "delivery services, transportation systems, and digital payment methods were efficient, fast, and widely integrated into routines", adding that "in many ways, everyday life felt more streamlined than what I'm used to at home".

Perceptions around safety and social atmosphere were also frequently mentioned. Natalie Hermila Garcia Munoz, who has traveled to 24 countries, said, "The subway (in Beijing) was incredibly advanced and efficient, and the city felt very safe, even late at night."

For Mudupeola Aladetokunbo Caxton-Martins, the pace and community life in China's capital left a lasting impression. "Everything just seemed to move so smoothly," he said, describing a city that was "busy at all hours of the day", where he felt comfortable going out even at 3 am.

Concerns about discrimination, particularly among students of color, were raised before the trip but often reassessed afterward.

"Being black, I was warned about the possible discrimination I may experience," said Aliyah Novia-Georgia Alexander-Tinker. "Fortunately, I had no reason to worry. I felt welcomed during my entire stay."

Caxton-Martins echoed that sentiment, saying, "The locals would try to talk to me, ask to take pictures; some shop owners were even giving me free food."

Several students said the visit prompted broader reflection on how opinions about China are formed.

"I believe there is a great deal of fearmongering in Western discourse about China," Ly said, adding that direct experience showed her "a place full of warmth, innovation, history, and everyday beauty."

The program was arranged by Li Yan, an associate professor of Chinese language and culture at Renison University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. She said, "I hope to provide a special opportunity for students who have learned some basic Chinese but had never been to China to enhance their learning in the real Chinese environment and to experience China with their own eyes."

gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com