I see you (China)

Shima

One thing I picked up very quickly is that when you are an American visiting a grade school in China, it draws a lot of attention! My class went over to China for Spring Break (aka Spring Research instead), and were researching the education system... they just flock to come see you when they know you're visiting!

These three shots were taken at Baochu Ta Experimental School in Hangzhou

DJ-S1

Looks like you had a good time; as I mentioned to Awais a few months back, it's great to see that kids are kids no matter where in the world they grow up.

gluwater

Those sure are some happy little kids. I like the third shot. All their expressions convey pure joy and childhood exuberance to me. Looks like the troublemaker doin a little dance on the right.

Dee

That's quite an education
you're getting at your school. A trip to China! That building looks very modern and up-to-date. Did the kids have computers? How did their education system compare to our grade school kids?

You must have taken more photos right????? :

Shima

Dee wrote:

you're getting at your school. A trip to China! That building looks very modern and up-to-date. Did the kids have computers? How did their education system compare to our grade school kids?

You must have taken more photos right????? :

My department (Chinese & Japanese Studies) is awesome with trips and paying for the majority of the funding. I got to go to Japan last year for research as well.

I took over 1,800 pictures to be precise. http://shima.smugmug.com/China_March_2006/
Knock yourself out A lot are kind of boring shots of the campuses though for research purposes, but there's some fun ones mixed in.

Shima

Dee wrote:

Did the kids have computers? How did their education system compare to our grade school kids?

Most schools we visited have computer labs, no internet in dorms if students brought thier computers though because there is a large fear of them wasting away playing computer games...

Their are by far more disciplined. They learn their foreign language (English) starting at the latest in 3rd grade, so they're all really good at their foreign language when you start talking to them in the high schools. Which makes for decent interviews. They're quite obedient. Though they have little free time as most time is spent studying and preparing for exams.

But they're quite smart as a result.

Dee

I wonder
If they are happier with all the discipline than our kids are. I guess they don't have much time to join gangs or go to raves, huh?

I'll check out your gallery, sounds interesting... be neat to see how you photographed the trip.

twinbnj

Wonderful shots - # 3 shows the joy and couriosity of the children.

I was in China last year and expericend the same reaction. The children were just great.

Dee

Fascinating photos
I didn't go through every album yet, but I love the shots of the "rest room facilities."

The areas in the city? or near the schools look extremely clean, but driving thru the countryside? I can see a huge difference.

I notice men and women wearing slacks (pants) which is interesting... but not a lot of handicapped access.

The kids look happy, curious and ... well, like kids!

Lots of rain you had too! Looks like a good trip all in all.

robert mccane

nice pic's

Awais Yaqub

Hehehe cute kids thanks for sharing

Shima

Dee wrote:

I didn't go through every album yet, but I love the shots of the "rest room facilities."

The areas in the city? or near the schools look extremely clean, but driving thru the countryside? I can see a huge difference.

I notice men and women wearing slacks (pants) which is interesting... but not a lot of handicapped access.

The kids look happy, curious and ... well, like kids!

Lots of rain you had too! Looks like a good trip all in all.

I'm glad you enjoy my restroom facility shots, I kept getting teased by my classmates about taking those shots, heh.

Most schools were relatively close to Hangzhou but a few were on the outskirts and it really makes all the difference indeed.

Just about everyone wears slacks in China, it's not as traditional as you might think.

It actually only rained one day, but the other days had overcast the entire time. We had one day of sun, but such is life.

It was a most pleasant trip

Spagbag

I especially liked the Shanghai garden shots, history street, and the Nanjing mittens.

Also, those restrooms look pretty plush to me!

Shima

Spagbag wrote:

I especially liked the Shanghai garden shots, history street, and the Nanjing mittens.

Also, those restrooms look pretty plush to me!

Thanks...

...you do realize though that classic Chinese toilets (the ones I mainly took photos of) are holes in the ground that require you to squat and do not provide toilet paper (you must bring your own)? Not exactly what I'd call plush...