Local Food or Self-Brought Snacks? Freshmen China Trip Review

<

►

>

(Gallery Photos above are taken by teacher and students who went on the Grade 9 China Trip)

After four days and three nights of exploring Qingyuan, China, Grade 9 returned from the 2018 China Trips with strong individual ideas. The trip was filled with activities and exploring the countryside, some which included caving, rock climbing, and biking.

The freshmen left on August 25 to head on a 3-hour ride to Qingyuan, which is geographically north of Guangzhou and located on the banks of the Bei (Chinese for “north”) River. Since the trip was held next to the riverbank, the area was filled with caves and areas to explore. A local restaurant that was a 10-minute walk from the hotel served 3 meals a day with Chinese food. Although food was provided along with water and refreshments, students still brought along their own storage of snacks.

On the topic of food during China Trips, I interviewed freshman Borui C., who brought a suitcase full of snacks during the Qingyuan China Trip. He explained his reason for bringing extra snacks, saying that it had nothing to do with the taste of the local food. “I brought the snacks so I don’t starve at night. Although the food was okay, I still get hungry easily. A lot of the other students took my food and they got to enjoy the chips and chocolate. Since the restaurant only served Chinese foods, I think they just wanted more varieties to choose and eat from.”

Many other students brought cases stuffed with snacks, and students went around sharing bags full of different flavored potato chips.

Amy N., who has been on previous China Trips, shared her thoughts on this year’s trip. As someone who felt positive about the local food, she mentioned that some students (including a few of her friends) disliked the food, but others gave no comments since they were already accustomed to the type of Chinese foods served in the restaurant. She agreed with Borui when she said that the students were mostly hungry after activities and needed something to fill their stomachs.

The quality and quantity of food has been a problematic issue that has led to many debates and complaints. Mr. Owen, IB Psychology and World History teacher at AISG who attended the trip, explained how although some students didn’t particularly enjoy the food, “I personally think the food was excellent, in terms of quality and taste and the availability in variety. One issue there– perhaps– I guess the restaurant owner would have to be thinking about is that there was a bit of waste in food. Not everybody and not all the tables finished their food.” He also reflected on the overall difference between the 2018 trip to the 2017 trip. “The main difference this year is because of the holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 24th, it was a shorter China trip. There were specific things we didn’t get to do like camping and helping out on farmlands, which we did on the previous trip. Things that went well on this year’s trip was pacing of the days, the number of events in a day, and ability to have a little bit of downtime in the evening to shower and clean up before the meal, which they didn’t have in the previous year.”

Amy N. also had comments about the trip in general. She explained her perspective on the trip as mainly “refreshing, despite the day which was mostly tiring.” Towards the end of the interview, she also added helpful tips for future students that may attend the Qingyuan China Trip. “Bring an extra pair of shoes, because the shoes you wear to caving will get extremely muddy, and you won’t be able to wear it right after caving.”