Proudly supporting the "50,000 in 5 Years" student exchange initiative

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(563) 272-0825

Address

2911 Bonnie Dr
Muscatine, IA 52761

A group of students and adults pose together indoors in front of a large artwork. The caption reads, Building Bridges: Iowa Students Travel Across China.
Chris Anderson

Building Bridges: Iowa Students Travel Across China

Mar 24, 2025 | Updates | 0 comments

From March 14–22, 2025, students from Muscatine, West Liberty, and Iowa City embarked on a life-changing journey to China—an unforgettable adventure that deepened friendships, sparked curiosity, and brought global understanding to life.

The exchange began in Shanghai, where students marveled at the city’s futuristic skyline from The Bund, with the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower lit up against the night sky. From bustling streets to peaceful moments at Jiang’an Park, Shanghai gave students their first taste of modern China’s energy.

Next stop: Beijing, the heart of Chinese history and politics. The students explored the ancient Forbidden City, stood atop the mighty Great Wall at Badaling, and were honored with a visit to the Great Hall of the People, where they sat beneath its famous red-star ceiling. For many Iowa City students, this was their first-ever trip abroad, and the experience was nothing short of inspiring.

At Tsinghua University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions, students posed beneath the iconic campus gate, imagining futures shaped by international education. These moments offered glimpses into the lives of their Chinese peers and the shared pursuit of learning.

The final chapter of the trip took place in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province. There, students had a warm and ceremonial visit with the Hebei Provincial Government, saw a panda in action at the Shijiazhuang Zoo, and explored historical Zhengding, where the statue of General Zhao Yun stands proudly. The farewell photo outside the Blue Sky Hotel captured the bittersweet ending of a journey that had become deeply personal for everyone involved.

One especially meaningful moment came when Gary connected with the daughter of a woman he had first met in Iowa back in 2013. The daughter, now a student at SFLCF, was part of the exchange group. Their reunion—made possible by this trip—was a powerful reminder of how people-to-people diplomacy can build relationships that span generations and continents.  This exchange wasn’t just a sightseeing trip. It was a real-life lesson in friendship, shared values, and global citizenship.

A group of people stands in front of the Blue Sky Hotel, posing for a photo outside the buildings entrance.
Two people stand in a classroom; a man in a suit and a woman making a peace sign, both with conference lanyards.
Five people stand smiling in front of a brightly lit cityscape at night, featuring a prominent tower in the center.
A person in a black coat and sunglasses stands on the Great Wall of China, with a backpack and hilly landscape in the background.
A man and a woman stand in front of a brightly lit city skyline at night, with colorful reflections on the water.
A group of people posing in front of a cityscape at night, with brightly lit skyscrapers and a lighted tower in the background by the waterfront.
A group of people stand on a red carpet inside a grand hall with ornate lighting and a central red star on the ceiling.
Five people standing together, dressed in professional attire, smiling for a group photo indoors. Decorative elements and lifebuoys visible in the background.
Two people smiling; one holds a container with small items. Both wear red lanyards and casual clothing. One has a headscarf and sunglasses on her head; the other wears a black jacket.
A group of six people, all wearing winter jackets, stand together smiling. They are outdoors with a mountainous landscape in the background. Some hold thumbs up.
Five people wearing name badges stand together in a room with red curtains. They are dressed in business casual attire.
Two people wearing winter clothing stand on the Great Wall of China, smiling and making peace signs. The wall and mountains are visible in the background.
A large group of people stands in front of a historical building with red walls and traditional architecture under a clear blue sky.
A group of people pose on a waterfront with illuminated skyscrapers in the background at night.
A group of people wearing casual clothing and lanyards pose in front of a large stone archway with inscriptions, surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
Two people seated in an auditorium with red curtains and yellow trimmed flags in the background. A person stands and speaks in front of the curtains, while attendees observe.
A woman stands at a podium next to a large screen displaying Tsinghua University and the motto Self-Discipline and Social Commitment in a lecture hall.
A diverse group of people poses together outdoors, with some standing and others kneeling. They appear to be in a park or open public area with sculptures in the background.
Panda climbing a bare tree inside a zoo enclosure with stone wall and buildings in the background.
Two people standing indoors; one in a red coat holding a clear award, the other in a blue jacket with a conference badge. A person and red emblem visible in the background.
Four people pose with peace signs at night in front of a blurred city skyline and illuminated tower.
Two people standing indoors, smiling at the camera. The person on the left holds an object. Both are casually dressed. A wall with symbols is in the background.
Four people sit in a formal meeting room with a painting of a waterfall on the wall and ornate vases nearby.
Two people stand indoors giving thumbs up in front of large display panels showing rooms with red carpets and chandeliers. They wear lanyards and smile at the camera.
Two individuals in suits pose in front of a large, stone statue of a historical figure holding a weapon.
Two people stand side by side indoors, both making peace signs. The woman wears a brown coat, and the man wears a suit with a yellow lanyard. Ornate doors are visible in the background.
A large group of people seated in a lecture hall, wearing casual clothes, some with lanyards. Many are looking at their phones or talking with others.
Two people in winter coats pose on the Great Wall of China, with other visitors and the wall extending into the distance.
A diverse group of people attentively listen to a presentation in a large lecture hall with a screen displaying TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY.
Two people stand indoors with event badges. One gives a thumbs-up. The other holds a small box.
A group of people posing indoors in front of a large mural depicting a mountainous landscape. Most are wearing lanyards and dark jackets.
Four people stand smiling in front of a brightly lit city skyline at night, featuring distinctive, illuminated skyscrapers and a reflective body of water.
A person wearing sunglasses and a black jacket stands on a stone structure with the Great Wall of China visible in the background.
A large group of performers in colorful costumes poses on stage under bright lights with a banner reading Charm of Chinese Dances.