What would you do?

[barred-rocks-rock]

Think of it this way. Cochins and Langshans are chinese. You might see some and "borrow"

them.

 

[NancyDz]

Definitely go! It's a chance of a lifetime. And if you can learn some chinese it will put you SOOOO far above everyone else when you get out in the real world. Nowadays just having schooling isnt enough.. its the other experiences that
really get you places. I dont know what your plans are outside of graduating highschool but this will really make you stand out in the future. And like it was mentioned.... they have so many cool chickens there.. I'm sure you'll find some to get your chicken fix. I'm sure if this is a school sponsored event you will be taken care of very well. My family hosted exchange students and it was a great experience and very structured as far as your safety and making sure your needs were taken care of and your stay is enjoyable. Go do some research on the city you will go to... ask all kinds of questions about the program. See if you can talk to someone that participated last year. This is a wonderful opportunity for you.

Congrats!

 

[the Pollo Loco]

I would go if it was me!!! you are young and it would be a great experience!!! travel while you can, cause when you grow up you will have wished you had!!! maybe you can see what the chinese do with raising chickens or ducks or what have you, make it a fun learning experience!!

 

[Chicken Chaperone]

If you spend some time thinking on it and you get more information from your upcoming meeting and you still don't feel good about going then don't.

I know lots of folks here will disagree with me but if something inside you is saying no that strongly there may be a bigger reason than any of us know for your hesitation. I don't want to scare you by any stretch of the imagination but I believe that we should listen to those gut feelings. Sometimes they are wiser than we give them credit for and this may be one of those times. If you feel uncomfortable or uneasy don't do it. Intuition is a valuable thing. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best and I know you'll make the right choice for you!

 

[BarkerChickens]

Having studied abroad before as well, I highly recommend it! Yea, it'll be hard at first, but it will be worth it! You'll look back and be happy you went!

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Hey M. What a great opportunity for you. My brother has spent the last couple of years traveling in and out of China. Many times into cities that have never seen an American before. Many of the places did not speak a word of English. But he never felt threatened only welcomed. He was like a shiney new toy to them. He says that it is the only place in the world that he has ever felt so safe. They have like zero crime. He said that he would feel comfortable walking out into the worst part of any town with hundred dollar bills taped to his body. The pictures you ever see on TV about bad stuff happening over there is so small in comparison. There is virtually no crime. There is probably more crime in Orlando in one day then there is in the whole province of China in a year. And China has chickens... This is the year of the rooster in the Chinese zodiac. There is chickens in every market there. So you would not be without chickens.
I will never forget when I was in high school, we had the opportunity to fly in small 4 person planes from Washington state to Washington DC. There was only 6 of us kids and the two pilots that got to go. It took us three days flying each way and we got three days in DC. I was only 15 at the time and that was a lot of years ago but it is the one thing in my life that I can still remember like it was yesterday. It made such an impression on me.
This trip to China is a summer deal so it would be about two months of travel abroad. That is two months that would stay with you for the rest of your life.

 

[twentynine]

With out question----- Go!

In the future would you like to tell everyone about "going to China" or would you like to tell them "I had a chance to go, but didn't"?

 

[CityChicker]

I already posted, but I have to say it again- GO!! Yes, it might be stepping far out of your "comfort" zone, but don't give in to your fear. There is no way your school is going to just send you off to China unprepared. The issue with not speaking the language is really much less significant than you may think. I am telling you, most people in Asia speak English (certainly any that are involved in a school program like this would). I have been all over Asia and lived in Thailand for a short time (right outside of Bangkok). It was very rare for me to encounter a person that didn't speak almost fluent English. English is even referred to as the unifying language of Asia.

Really, when I lived there, I did not even consciously think sometimes that I was in Asia. English television stations like CNN are available there. I lived within a couple blocks of McDonald's and Pizza Hut (not to mention numerous shopping malls, grocery stores, etc...that were pretty much identical to what we have here). I certainly never, ever felt unsafe. Keep in mind, this was also without the help of a school. Your situation, I'm sure, will be even more structured and protected. They are not just going to put you on a plane to China and leave you to fend for yourself. Go for it!

 

[Mahonri]

Maxx:

Did you know that there are more people in China that speak English than there are in the United States? It's a fact.

GO... if your parents say go, GO.

You will live with regret if you don't go.

It's not good to live with regret.

And remember to return and report and keep in touch with us from over there... tell us about their chickens!!!

 

[PineappleMama]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

they will never see a peek at anything other than beauty and bustling commerce! Its not a whole year its a summer!

So... they won't actually learn doodly about China, it's people, it's history at all... just the white washed TV version? If the argument is that educationally it's 'good for them' than I just can't agree there. If the argument is that they'll learn about other societies, lifestyles, and by doing so learn tolerance, etc. it also doesn't work because they won't be exposed to the real society, but only the press clipped version. By your description it seems like it'll be just like staying in the US, only minus the freedom to safely go about your business without an armed guard... and with chaparoned/guarded visits to the approved cinema/theme park/landmarks thrown in? If that's the case I'd rather just google the sites and save my money and sanity. This does kinda remind me of how my SIL described the "free weekend getaway" they went on once. Basically held prisoner and indoctrinated, and in their 'spare time' they were shown only the good bits of the property they were trying to sell. They didn't enjoy it, though the bits of scenery were nice, and didn't appreciate being confined to their quarters so they left early and never looked back. In your home country you know what's safe and not. You know how to get help if you need it. I can't imagine having to depend on others to communicate something as basic as "where's the bathroom"... for me, that'd be enough to not want to go. Europe is different simply based on language. German, French, Italian, Spanish are all easier to learn than English or the Asian languages. Obviously I'm a bit biased, sheer paranoia and too many news articles, but I'm just saying I can understand fully why someone might not feel comfortable taking advantage of such a 'wonderful opportunity'...

I think that it's their feelings that should matter. Some people are carefree and secure no matter where they go, others aren't. Nothing wrong with either kind of person at all, but respecting both is nice. I'm sure out of the kids in that lotto there's at least one that would go there and have a blast. Enjoy every second. And I'm sure there's at least one that would be miserable, lonely, scared and wouldn't get that enjoyment out of it. To me it would be wrong to make the adventurer feel bad for enjoying themselves and it would be wrong to bully the shy one because they didn't. *shrug* Reckon it's no different than the people who do and don't like spinach.

A summer having fun goes quick... a summer when you're not is interminable. Depends on the person and whatnot. ​