A group of Utah students studying Chinese recently traveled to Washington D.C. during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Among them were two Orem High School sophomores who first connected with Xi in 2020 when their fourth-grade class sent him Chinese New Year cards. To their surprise, Xi responded with encouragement to continue learning Chinese.
The students were part of a larger Utah delegation comprising 17 members, which included educators and parents. They visited the Chinese Embassy, met with congressional offices, and shared a Utah-made friendship quilt and personal experiences from their studies and travels in China.
Their participation emphasized education and cultural exchange rather than political advocacy, showcasing the impact of language immersion programs in fostering understanding. The students found that learning Chinese helped bridge cultural differences and connected them to their heritage.
The trip marked a full-circle moment for the two sophomores, reflecting on their journey from sending a classroom project to receiving a letter from China’s president six years prior.
