Every spring break, students in Berkeley High School’s Mandarin program trade their classrooms for international travel. They spend nearly two weeks exploring China, practicing their language skills, and experiencing Chinese culture firsthand. Organized by Mandarin teacher Xin Chen, the program that began over a decade ago has become a highly anticipated annual tradition that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences.
For many students, traveling alongside classmates and stepping into a new culture is a major motivation to join the trip. “I also wanted to understand more about Chinese culture,” BHS sophomore Oskar Cross said.
Each year’s schedule varies, but typically includes multiple cities, cultural landmarks and school visits. Over the course of the trip, students explore museums, historic sites and natural monuments. “One of my favorite experiences was visiting the Junsheng Sand and Stone Museum, where they showcase artworks made with stone dust and natural elements to create textured landscapes,” Cross said.
Students say the trip offers experiences they would not normally encounter, even for those already familiar with China. “It felt a bit touristy, but it was still really cool to visit one of the roots of Kung Fu,” BHS sophomore Alexa Davis said, reflecting on a martial arts lesson at the Shaolin Temple.
A major goal of the trip is encouraging students to use Mandarin outside the classroom. Many participants described using the language daily while ordering food, shopping, or speaking with tour guides. “It was stressful at times but also very eye-opening to see how people use the words and phrases I’ve been learning in real life,” Cross said.
Using Mandarin in everyday situations also helped students notice the gap between classroom learning and real-life conversation. “In school, you learn very formal textbook Mandarin, but in China I learned how to speak more colloquially so I don’t sound like I’m reading from a textbook,” Davis said.
Not every experience matched expectations, which students said made the trip even more eye-opening.
“There weren’t many opportunities to use my Mandarin because people wanted to practice their English,” Teddy Moore, a freshman at BHS, said.
The fast-paced schedule is another defining feature of the trip. “The itinerary was packed, so we often got to the hotel around 10 p.m. and woke up at 6:30 a.m. to start another full day. After 11 days, it was pretty exhausting and didn’t feel much like a spring break,” Cross said.
Moore added that the group rarely stayed in the same hotel for more than two nights. “The trip was 12 days … we were constantly packing and traveling,” he explained.
For Chen, these challenges are outweighed by the growth she sees in students after they return. “They feel more motivated to learn the language,” she said. Chen emphasized that the trip is connected to coursework and designed as an extension of classroom learning rather than a vacation. “Students research destinations and choose locations based on culture, history, or food. Many students plan to go during senior year, especially after completing travel-focused units in class,” she said.
Students also stressed the importance of seeing another country beyond headlines and stereotypes. “People hear a lot about China in the media and this lets students see it for themselves,” said Cross.
Many say the trip becomes one of their most memorable high school experiences, and strongly encourage others to participate. “Even if you’re not very confident in your Mandarin, it’s still worth it,” Moore said.
As the program continues to grow each year, the annual journey has become more than a trip abroad. For BHS Mandarin students, it is a chance to connect language learning with real life, widen perspectives and experiencing the world beyond the classroom.
“After returning, students gain a broader perspective and better understanding of Chinese culture. They become more culturally tolerant and recognize both differences and similarities between people,” Chen said.