Melanie Arias, a director at Westridge School, tried her hand at writing the Chinese character for "monkey", her zodiac sign.

"We learn and share our Chinese dances with you here — it's a wonderful experience," she said.

The event also served as a platform for deeper cross-cultural exchanges.

Caleb Miller, a teacher from St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California, shared his experiences from a trip to China last year, which included basketball games, historical and cultural visits, and interactions with Chinese students.

"This was an unforgettable journey that opened our eyes to the depth and richness of Chinese culture," Miller said.

One of his most memorable experiences was playing friendly basketball games with Chinese high school teams. "What left the deepest impression on us was not the final score, but the dedication, resilience and skill of our Chinese counterparts," he said.

"These games were more than just competitions; they were bridges of friendship. On the court, we were competitors, but off the court, we became friends."

Miller and his team also explored iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, visited giant pandas, experienced dragon boat racing, and enjoyed cultural performances. "These experiences offered us a glimpse into China's long and storied past as well as its dynamic present," he said.

Morell Jones, dean of students and school culture at Geffen Academy at UCLA, expressed enthusiasm about expanding the school's Chinese program. "We are really looking forward to growing our program — maybe even having our students travel to China and experience the culture firsthand," he told China Daily.

According to Consul General Guo, cultural exchanges between American and Chinese students are growing. In support of President Xi Jinping's initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to China within five years, more than 17,000 visited China last year, with California leading the participation numbers.

Thousands of young Americans have joined the Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) program to visit China.

"In favor of this initiative and the YES program, our consulate provides assistance, including issuing five-year visas with multiple entries for applicants with exclusive YES invitations and waiving visa-processing fees," Guo said.

He also shared a story of the inspiring journey of Jordan McClain, a senior student at California State University, Long Beach, who once shared her dream of becoming a diplomat.

Encouraged by Guo, she visited China, and the experience exceeded her expectations. With Guo's support, she applied to and was accepted by Renmin University, one of China's top institutions, to pursue a master's degree in international relations.

"What an inspiring story!" Guo said. "I'm sure that those who visit China will see a very different country with their own eyes and realize that beyond our differences, there are more similarities between China and the US. Perhaps some of you will be the next Jordan, stepping closer to your dreams in China."

renali@chinadailyusa.com