As educational exchanges between China and the United States continue to regain momentum, educators and students from both countries are calling for deeper people-to-people engagement, saying firsthand cultural experiences help build understanding that extends far beyond the classroom.

That message emerged during the China-US Youth People-to-People Exchange Camp in Hainan province, where 26 students and teachers from Utah's Box Elder School District spent five days learning alongside students from Hainan Normal University's affiliated elementary school. The program, held from Tuesday to Friday in Haikou, was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education's Center for Language Education and Cooperation and Hainan Normal University.

Participants said the exchange offered a valuable opportunity to challenge stereotypes and discover common ground.

"I think this program is important because having two different cultures learn about each other and meet together connects us all," said Todd Schwab, a 15-year-old American student. "We're not so separate just because we're on different parts of the world."

For 15-year-old Ian Duke, the visit provided an immersive introduction to Chinese culture.

"This is my second time in China. I learned so much about Chinese culture, eating all the different foods. Very interesting. I hope to come again," he said.

Seventeen-year-old Aida Schwab said the experience revealed both differences and similarities between the two societies.

"It was really cool experiencing things in Hainan. In the US, we would have never known what it's like," she said. "Seeing the similarities to our own culture, we're not so different. Very similar, yet different."

Matthew Taylor, a Chinese-language teacher from Box Elder School District, said the trip allowed students to apply years of classroom learning in a real-world setting. The visiting group included students aged 5 to 18 who have studied Chinese for between three and seven years.

"This trip to Hainan turns the words from textbooks into reality right before their eyes," he said. "I hope to bring more students to China for cultural exchange."

Taylor also said American educators can learn from Chinese teaching approaches, particularly in mathematics and classroom management.

"The US and China have different cultural ways of teaching, different beliefs in community and education," he said. "As we share those, we can take the positive from each other and improve both education systems."

Jiang Yi, a senior at Hainan Normal University who volunteered at the camp, expressed hope for expanded exchanges between Chinese and American universities.

"I want more foreign students to come to Hainan for cultural activities and to learn about Chinese culture," he said.

Nie Qingbin, president of Hainan Normal University, encouraged participants to become ambassadors of China-US friendship.

"We will continue to deepen K-12 dialogue and cooperation, allowing more teachers and students to cross oceans and visit each other often."

Jordan Riley, leader of the Utah delegation, said youth exchanges play a unique role in strengthening mutual understanding.

"Walking side by side, these young people build understanding, friendship and mutual learning," he said. "They inject warm and strong positive energy into bilateral relations."