Introducing Mystery Class #10 Beijing, China (39.900 N, 116.413 E ) Hello, Beijing My name is Russell Z. Springer (Zachary, if you're curious) and I am now a 5th grade science and history teacher in Massachusetts. Actually, I should say "I was" a teacher in Massachusetts. Right now I am in Beijing, an amazing city and the capital of very important country, China. I am here as part of a long-running exchange program between the Beijing Jingshan School and the Newton Public Schools where I teach. Our exchange program is based on the idea that the United States and China will both be world leaders in the 21st century, and that it is essential that people from our two very different countries learn to speak to one another in friendship and understanding. To this end, our two schools began a partnership that remains strong to this day. In 1979, the Beijing Jingshan School and the Newton Public Schools began to explore the idea of an educational exchange for teachers and students. In 1985 the program officially began with students and teachers from both countries living and teaching in a city on the other side of the world. This is the oldest program of its kind. Credit: Geographic.org Newton students attend the Jingshan School for four months and during this time they live with Chinese host families and take classes that are given in Chinese. The Jingshan students also spend four months in Massachusetts, attending either Newton North or Newton South High School. They also live in a host family and take classes given in English. Images of The Great Wall Credit: asiatravelling.net Students from both countries become immersed with the language, culture, and history of the host country. Most importantly, they develop friendships that last a lifetime. Forbidden City Credit: asiatravelling.net Here in Beijing, my life is quite different from teaching back in Massachusetts. For example, I went from 68 students to 1200. I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I also teach some seniors. I am still trying to get used to the fact that the students always sit in rows and I am always at the front of the classroom. I live with a host family and they are wonderful. I bike, bus, or taxi to work depending upon the weather and my time. Of course, biking is the most interesting--so many people all commuting together. This city is a teeming, humming hive of activity. The people here are so hoping that they will be chosen as the next Olympic site in 2008. I wish them luck as they care so much about this-- everywhere there are signs and people talking about it. I know that I will be heading back to the U.S. soon and I already want to come back to visit China. I hope that there will be a continuing exchange of information and views from people from around the world, as being here has reminded me of just how small a planet we inhabit. Have fun learning and take care, RZS Back to Today's Report Copyright 2001 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form