My dear friends Ignatius Liu 海外留學生
Ten days in Shanghai was more as an exciting and personal experience rather than an informative and substantial learning. I cannot use a page of writing to completely describe this city because of my knowledge limitation, nor I can convince reader what I saw Shanghai has been terrifically developed. Other than alerting us of the future influence of Shanghai to Hong Kong, the ten days visit has left me countless, vivid, and long-lasting images domestic education.
Of the ten days, almost one third were spent visiting the educational institution of Shanghai. We visited Fu Dan University, which is ranked the third in the whole nation. There, I found most of the students are extraordinarily studious regardless of their limited and out-dated educational facilities. I tried to find a chance to chat with those university students, but they were so into their studies that I was greatly regretful to interrupt them. Luckily, I did have a chance to chat with the Shanghai students when I reached Chung Choy Secondary School. This school is called government-focused school. As I learn, this kind of school provides the best educational environment and resources to exceptional gifted students. When I roamed around the campus, those thirty feet tall telescope and astronomic theater astonished me. And I was further amazed by the academic and inter-personal ability of the Chung Choy students. In our visit, two or three Chung Choy students accompanied one Hong Kong student. I was utterly moved by their warm and friendly welcome. At first, I thought they are just out of sociability, later, when I had a chance to talk to them, I could feel their genuine and non-hypocritical spirit. Most of our sharing involved topics were about school life and the differences between the educational systems of Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The most interesting thing I found out of the chat was that the students’ determination to get into university. I asked several students about their purpose of getting into the top-notched Chung Choy Secondary School. Their answers were:“I want to get in Fu Dan University!”I was surprised to learn such an answer from some thirteen or fourteen years old students. I could tell, by comparing with myself at the age of them, Chung Choy students were more goal-oriented and determined to accomplish dreams.
The third educational institution we visited was Chap Buch the Eighth Junior Secondary School. This school housed local students from the Chap Buck area. Unlike Chung Secondary School, Chap Buck is a government school. The classrooms are mostly not equipped with advanced educational facilities. Personally, I thought such a school could not provide good science and math programs to students. However, as I have always had in mind,“Thou cannot judge someone or something by their appearance.” Surprisingly, Chap Buck gives excellent civil education to students who might not all be academically accomplished. I had the strongest feeling when Chap Buck School arranged a flag raising ceremony to welcome us. As I was told, all the students see raising the flag as the highest honor, and only those who had good academic and moral behavior were allowed to raise the flag. My spirit as a Chinese reached its climax when I saw the young students, with their solemn and patriotic expressions, boldly put up their right hands and saluted. I would never forget this scene.
The above is only part of my personal feeling. Ten days visit is basically not enough for me to completely understand Shanghai’s economic and political status; yet this trip has successfully revealed Shanghai’s abundance in human resources. The trip widened my insight; as a Chinese, I know I am no longer competing against the people in Hong Kong but also against those in China and the globe. In the future, I believe I have to strengthen myself, no matter physically or mentally. I know the battle of future will be tough, an only the self-motivated, precautional one will prevail.