Seventy-seven US university students are in southwest Sichuan Province's Chengdu for a youth exchange at Southwest Jiaotong University, experiencing local culture and daily life. We follow one group as they explore a famous Sichuan's best-known performing art. Zhang Zhenni reports.

When Ryan signed up for this trip, he expected to learn more about China. What he didn't expect was that it would include an afternoon learning Sichuan Opera.

 

The Yale University student has studied Chinese for two years, hoping one day to experience the culture behind the language.

 

 "Right now, Ryan and five other students are working on their movements – following the eyes, repeating each gesture till it finally comes naturally. Tomorrow, they'll perform in front of the rest of the team."

 

But mastering Sichuan Opera takes far more than mastering the movements.

 

RYAN CHAO Student, Yale University "I would say it's pretty difficult. We were just learning from our amazing teacher right there, teaching us several different moves, which I'm sure is only just scratching the surface of what's needed to actually perform in Sichuan Opera."

 

SEBASTIEN SANANDRES Student, Swarthmore College "Even something as small as the way you move your fingers can be, I mean, can be much harder than it looks. And then when you add in all the moves, the jumping, I saw a flip earlier, and the singing, I mean, it was definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be."

 

The next morning, the classroom is replaced by a teahouse in Chengdu's People's Park. There students share what they've learned from different cultural experiences across the city.

 

RYAN CHAO Student, Yale University "This is just a really fun experience. Sichuan Opera is not just one thing. It's not just opera, it's not just singing, it's not just dancing. It can encompass truly anything, and I think that's what makes the performers so masterful and so adaptable."

 

HENRY HAMPEL Student, Yale University "We learned basic Kung Fu, you know, movements and breathing techniques. But we also, what I thought was awesome, was we got to work with and practice with, like, a lot of kids that were learning Kung Fu as well. And we got to meet their families. And it was fantastic, more of a cultural exchange, more than just Kung Fu itself."

 

Ryan came to Chengdu hoping to experience the culture behind the language. He wasn't the only one. For many in the group, the memories they'll take home are not just the places they visit, but the people they meet and the experiences they share.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: CGTN