A Friend Across 10,000 Miles – I Miss My Chinese Family

In March 2025, a delegation from the Waukee School District in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, came to Shijiazhuang. Amidst the welcoming drumbeats of dragon and lion dances at Hebei Federation Foreign Language School, they stepped onto the beautiful campus and launched the "Hand in Hand · Grow Together" China-U.S. Youth Cultural Exchange Activity.

Together, we visited Zhengding Ancient City, Zhaozhou Bridge, and Longxing Temple. We played ball games, did paper-cutting, experienced acupuncture, and then made our way to the hutongs, the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Thousands of miles apart, the time we gathered was brief. Now they have crossed the oceans back to their own country, and the empty classrooms always feel a little lonely. In the depths of the night, the words "I miss my Chinese family" instantly broke our defenses. This China-U.S. cultural exchange has allowed us to gain a transoceanic family bond.

Separated by mountains and seas, across different time zones, we do not say goodbye – we only await our reunion.

Source: Hebei Federation Foreign Language School