High school students from Leonardtown High School in Maryland recently participated in the ‘Touch of China in Chinatown’ event at the Chinatown Community Cultural Center in Washington DC. The event, held on November 6, provided students enrolled in the school’s Chinese language program with a unique opportunity to engage in traditional Chinese arts and crafts, including clay panda making, calligraphy, and knot-tying. The lively atmosphere was enhanced by panda mascots and a China-themed trivia quiz, which offered small prizes to participants. Kinsey Albin, a senior in her fourth year of Chinese studies, expressed her enthusiasm for combining language learning with cultural immersion, stating that studying Chinese has broadened her perspective and fostered a sense of international connection. The event, organized by Hope Chinese School, American Chinese School, and Howard Chinese School, in collaboration with the Chinatown Community Cultural Center, aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Chinese culture and strengthen cross-cultural friendships. Artist and instructor Zhang Longze emphasized the program’s goal of helping teenagers better understand China and fostering future cultural exchanges. Students like Drake Hozier and Evan Dearden, who have been studying Chinese for about a year and a half, found the language and culture both challenging and rewarding, expressing a desire to visit China in the future. Lily Jiang, who has studied Chinese for nine years and traveled to China with her family, shared her appreciation for the culture and people, highlighting the enriching experience of practicing the language in Chinese markets. Leonardtown’s lead Chinese teacher, Chen Si, expressed her delight in seeing students actively engage with Chinese culture and emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges and study trips in providing students with an authentic understanding of China. The event underscored the value of cultural immersion in fostering global awareness and appreciation for diverse traditions.