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Washington Heights resident Alexandra Wang has won a scholarship to
study in China during the fall semester of her senior year in high
school. PHOTO: Orubba Almansouri
by Orubba Almansouri
Alexandra Wang has a book that holds 2,000 years of her family’s history. Between its red covers are the names of her ancestors dating back to the Han Dynasty, at roughly the same time the Roman Empire conquered England. But the book is a mystery to Alex, who lives in Washington Heights, because she can’t read Chinese – at least not yet.
“I want to learn how to read it so I can know more about my family,” she says with a smile.
Alex lives with her parents and twin brother on Ft. Washington Avenue. This fall semester – from Aug. 17 to Jan. 21 – she will study Chinese in Nanjing, China on a scholarship.
Alex likes learning through experience. That’s why she’s a senior at the New York City Museum School. There she learns about history and culture hands on by visiting city museums during once-a-week class field trips.
Alex also has a love for foreign languages, studying Spanish and Japanese in school. Her love for poetry and expression through words inspired her to learn foreign languages.
Last fall, she was one of the grand prize winners of the Japan National Tourism Organization of North America’s “Visit Japan in 2010” contest, wining a trip there that she took in July with her father, George. The experience, she said, inspired and enriched her poetry.
The 17-year-old has also gotten to know her own country, the U.S., by traveling with her parents to learn the nation’s history.
During her latest adventure to China she will live with a host family, the Duanmus. The host family also has a girl Alex’s age, named Lizhu, and the two will go to classes together.
Alex’s opportunity is part of The National Security Initiative for Youth Scholarship. The scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and aims to build skills in international communication to foster new leaders in the global community. Alex is one of 650 youth that will be traveling around the world to learn new languages and share cultures.
Once she learns to speak and read Chinese, Alex finally will be able to make sense of her father’s book.
Mr. Wang was born in Taiwan, and his family has a great tradition of documenting its history. The book, covered in red with black Chinese writing on the spine and cover, holds the names of members of the family from 2,000 years ago. The book is updated every generation and each family has a copy.
Though excited about her trip, there are still two things that worry Alex. The first, is attending military training, which is part of her studies in China – Alex does not know what to expect from that.
The other thing that worries her?
“Math,” she said, with a smile.
For more information about the National Security Initiative for Youth Scholarship visit www.nsliforyouth.org.
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