编者按：
棠湖中学高2005级学生钟姣同学于2003年参加国际文化交流组织（AFS Intercultural Programs）组织的文化交流活动，到美国进行交流学习，经过近一年的学习，已于近期返校。钟姣同学在美国期间，积极参与AFS组织的文化交流活动，广泛与美国的学生和民众交流，不仅学习美国人民的先进理念，而且积极传播我们的悠久民族文化。在美期间，她把自己的所见所闻和感受诉诸于文字并投于当地的新闻媒体，有多篇文章获得刊载，在当地产生了很大的反响。我们在此转录钟姣同学的几篇文章，以供大家赏评。
(新闻链接：为攀新高，棠湖中学再遣师生出国留学 )
The measure of success
When I was younger, I thought success meant having lots of money, more pieces of candy, or getting an “A” on a test. I also believed it was being praised by teachers, and never having arguments with elders. As time moved on, the definition of success changed. For me, I see the symbol of success as people taking chances and challenge them. This would not only benefit them, but they would better contribute to society.
I, too, feel successful in my life. On September 5th, 2003, as an international exchange student, with lots of dreams and expectations, I left my parents, friends and everything I used to know in China. I flew half way around the world. For 14 hours and a bored flight, I soon arrived at my destination, a totally new and strange nation for me --- the United States. Looking at the people in the airport, they all seemed to be in a hurry. Others were casually having cups of coffee and I heard their fluent English spoken. I knew I was abroad right away. With lots of excitement, as well as worry, my adventure and significant new life began.
Pieces of host family
One of the first weekends in the U.S, I sat down for dinner with my host family. My little host sisters and I were listening to a true story told by my host mom. With her soft and graceful voice, she told us that here was a husband and wife name Dan and Kim. They had been married for several years and couldn’t have their own children. But they really wanted children. So they wrote a letter to the Chinese government that said they would like to adopt a child. Soon their dream came true. They visited the orphanage in the city of Hang Zhou and waited for a long time. They were so exited and kept thinking about their baby would look like. Finally, a lady at the orphanage brought them a healthy and happy little baby.
“That’s for me!” My five years old host sister Nana said happily as well as shyly. “Where is me? Where is me?” heard a sweet voice from my three years old host sister Katie.
“Ok, let’s move to Katie’s part.” Said my host mom. She kept telling us that after the couple adopted Nana from the Zhe Jiang province, two years later they decided to adopt another child from China. They decided that they really wanted a big family. So they revisited China and the orphanage in YinChuan city. There they saw another baby who looked small and tiny. She was also sad. So they brought the little baby back to Chicago where she now lives happily, and attends preschool.
“That’s me”, said my three year old sister with a big smile on her face.
At that time .I was totally inspired by my host family. They seemed to be a family who were filled with love and happiness. How wonderful the words “family” and “love” are. There is such a incredible correlation between them. But I could even imagine that unless I became a member of my host family. A picture of my own family comes to my mind, I think of how I need toe a good daughter to my parents.
Chinatown experiences
Since my host mom is Chinese American, I am lucky to have access to Chicago’s “Chinatown” and experience many things there. It has absolutely enriched my spiritual life and since my host mom is Chinese American, I am lucky to have access to Chicago’s “Chinatown” and experience many things there. It has absolutely enriched my spiritual life and helped me grow; I want to share my experiences and feelings with all the Chinese, remind them and myself that we have very precious heritage which are integrated culture and 5000 years’ long history. I am proud of being Chinese and being the posterity of the Golden Dragon. I was totally shocked when I first went to Chinatown to celebrate my 17th birthday, by its beauty size and its prosperity. I could feel my eyes get wet by some flash stuff when I heard the Chinese song “Jasmine” and saw the Animal Square consisted of twelve animal’s sculptures which stood for the twelve different years. At that time, I felt ashamed I couldn’t tell the right order if the twelve animals when my host dad asked me. Yet, I still appreciated that the American Chinese did a very good job about never forgetting they were generations of Chinese ancestors. Chinese culture and history are better exhibited here; I certainly feel a strong cultural and historic atmosphere filled everywhere in Chinatown.
Thanks giving came and went, and in addition to the big turkey we had at home, I remember the grate parade marching downtown in Chicago. The wise Chinese people from Chinatown held the Golden Dragon, and proudly walked in the street to show their Chinese culture. Everybody there applaud for the wonderful dragon dance. Can’t we be proud of them when we are proud of our heritage?
Community service
The best thing I learned from American is share, not money but love. I always asked my friends or host parents that why after one day’s work, they still went out to do community service and help other people. My host mom told me that because they want to share with people, they said they are lucky to have nice families and enough money, but they don’t want to be selfish person, because they know there are still plenty of people who starve or freeze. I was confused about their mind until the day I went to church and cooked for homeless women.
It’s not a really big place, lots of homeless women waited there after their long and wandering day. I can tell they must be very hungry and tired from their bitter face. I worked hard in the kitchen because I was inspired to help them by a power that I can’t tell. I always wanted to put more spaghetti and sauce on their plates, and saw their content expressions, and hope at least during the night they wouldn’t starve. They were really grateful by this very small favor.
The wisdom said that derive pleasure from helping others. Until then I really felt like that way. And at the meantime, I’m thankful about things I owe, learned to be content and treasure things I have.
Epilog
I’m lucky that I can have access to an English—native speaking country and American life styles. The most importance is I challenged my self and at the meantime I learned a lot of stuff, understood some philosophy by heart, I owe experiences which can help me to be more excellent. Recall the first day I came, I can’t believe I really did it, both expected and unexpected things happened, during the time, I ‘m growing up. Soon I’ll be back, and I hope I can better contribute to society, tell my experiences to people who can’t come. Individually, to be a good person, and set a good example for others take back advance and informative knowledge I learned here, do my best to society in return.
