After last year’s highly successful “Pickleball Diplomacy” trip to China, Montgomery County Public Schools sent a new group of ambassadors to continue building friendships across borders. From Feb. 13 to Feb. 24, the Bronze Delegation traveled across four cities in China: Shenzhen, Shangyou, Hebi and Beijing, using the sport of pickleball as a bridge between cultures.
Through pickleball games, cultural activities and traditional experiences, students from MCPS formed connections with Chinese students, showing that sports can surpass language and cultural barriers.
A freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, Ryan Corkery was one of the returning ambassadors. “I attended the trip because going on the first trip in April was the most magical week and a half of my life,” Corkery said. “The first trip left a lasting impact on me and revealed my love for cultural exchange and understanding. I loved meeting and connecting with the Chinese kids and we formed such strong bonds despite language barriers. I wanted to go again because usually a once in a lifetime trip doesn’t happen twice.” Corkery stated. “I was eager to learn more about Chinese culture and visit during such a special time of celebration,” he added.
The trip was led by Dr. Jeffrey Sullivan, Director of MCPS Athletics, alongside coaches and chaperones. One of the chaperones, Stephanie Brant, explained why she wanted to participate in the exchange again. “I wanted to support students having the opportunity to see outside of the world we live in each day,” Brant said.
The Bronze Delegation consisted of 38 MCPS student ambassadors. Representing Damascus High School were seniors Caryss Canda, Fabiana Corredor, Emily Ridgeway, Cordelia Roth, Isabelle Strouble, Remy Cooperstein and junior Isabella Brant.
Preparing for the Cultural Exchange
Before traveling to China, students spent weeks preparing for their roles as leaders and ambassadors. Delegates attended weekly pickleball practices and cultural lessons to prepare them for both the matches and cross cultural interactions. Pickleball practices were held at Dill Dinkers in Rockville, Maryland, where students of all skill levels trained together, learning both the fundamentals of the sport and the importance of teamwork.
Cultural lessons took place at MCPS Central Office. During these sessions, students learned the basics of the Chinese language, cultural customs and information about the cities they would visit. Interpreter Ruby Wang helped guide students through the cultural preparation. “When I think of Chinese culture, I think about continuity; thousands of years of history that are still alive today,” Wang said. “It is reflected in the food people share, the traditions families keep, the language and the values of respect and connection between generations.” Wang also shared a traditional Chinese saying that reflects the spirit of cultural exchange. “Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar? (有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎?)” she said.
The official media day for the delegation took place on Feb. 2 at Dill Dinkers, giving news outlets the opportunity to observe the students practicing and preparing for their journey.
Traveling Across China
In every city, each MCPS student was paired with a Chinese partner. Together, the pairs participated in pickleball matches, cultural exchanges and activities designed to foster friendships. Students also experienced Chinese traditions through food, art, performances and customs.
The delegation first arrived in Shenzhen, a city known for its modern buildings and warmer weather. After hours of travel, students experienced their first traditional Chinese meal before visiting the Overseas Chinese Town High School, where they met their Chinese partners and played their first pickleball matches together. Senior Esther Hernandez from Quince Orchard High School chose Shenzhen as her favorite city. “It was the perfect weather,” Hernandez said. “I love warm weather. It was also the city where I connected the most with the Chinese kids.”
During their time in Shenzhen, students explored Talent Park and viewed the city’s lit skyline. The following day they participated in cultural activities including paper cutting, calligraphy and Tai Chi. Students also learned to make dumplings and visited Shenzhen’s Flower Fair, an annual market held before Lunar New Year. The evening ended with a dinner where students performed songs together and received red envelopes.
The next stop was Shangyou, a smaller city that offered students a different view of life in China. When the delegation arrived, they were welcomed with a dragon dance before meeting their new Chinese partners and attending a shared dinner. Shangyou was Corkery’s favorite destination. “Shangyou was my favorite because of the small hometown feel,” he said. “Most of last year and this year was spent in huge, sprawling cities, so it was insightful to see what most of China is really like. I loved being in the mountains, picking tea and connecting with the people in the village.” While in Shangyou, students and their partners planted trees together, symbolizing friendship between the two countries. They also competed in pickleball matches at Shangyou’s new pickleball complex and raced go-karts along a track overlooking the mountains. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting nearby tea fields, where students picked tea leaves and learned about the process of tea making.
Coach Karen Taylor was impressed by the city’s commitment to the growing sport of pickleball. “I was very impressed with the new pickleball complex in Shangyou,” Taylor said. “It had beautiful outdoor courts and spaces for people to gather. It shows how Shangyou is providing modern venues for people to enjoy competition and friendship.”
After Shangyou, the delegation continued to Hebi, where many students felt especially welcomed by the community. In Hebi, students explored the city with their partners, enjoying local performances, trying traditional foods and participating in cultural activities. One activity included creating clay birds, a very unique craft. Senior Joshua N’Gouemo from Wheaton High School said the hospitality stood out. “The way they treated us was amazing,” N’Gouemo said. “Everyone was friendly and welcoming.” Later that evening, the delegation gathered for dinner before watching a fireworks display over the water. The following day students competed in another round of pickleball matches at a stadium filled with local spectators cheering them on.
The trip concluded in Beijing, where students explored one of China’s most historical cities while reflecting on the friendships and experiences they had gained throughout the trip. The ambassadors visited museums, met their final Chinese partners and enjoyed performances together. The following day they visited The Summer Palace, the best preserved imperial garden in China, with a view of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Then, the delegates visited Tsinghua University, one of the top schools in China. At Tsinghua University, students got a first hand look at their elite athletic and sport programs. Ambassadors got a specialized tour of the gyms and learned the history of their deeply rooted sports culture. After a beautiful tour, it was time for the final round of pickleball matches. Win or lose, every team worked together, had fun, shared smiles and laughs; but most importantly carried on the cultural exchange. The night was well spent; with a cake to celebrate Corkery’s birthday and more activities that brought the students together one last time. On the final morning of the trip, the delegation visited the US Embassy in Beijing; bringing the trip to a meaningful end. Students learned about the history between China and the US, the government and politics as well as job opportunities for those interested.
The MCPS Pickleball Diplomacy Bronze Delegation trip to China surpassed expectations. As the sport of pickleball continues to grow, so do the positive relationships between the US and China.
New Perspectives
Now that the ambassadors have returned to Maryland, many say the trip changed how they view both China and the importance of cultural exchange.
“I learned that no matter how far you are from someone, there will always be similarities that connect you,” Hernandez said. “My pickleball partners sometimes spoke really good English and sometimes not at all, but despite the differences we always found a way to connect.”
For Corkery, the experience reinforced the responsibility of representing a country as an ambassador. “I learned that being a leader and an ambassador means that I am representing more than just myself,” Corkery said. “For some people I met, I may be the first American they have ever met, so it is important that I leave a positive impression.” He believes experiences like this can have a lasting impact far beyond the trip itself. “I think cultural exchange trips like this are important because they change perspectives,” Corkery said. “The best way to truly understand people and cultures that seem different is to experience them firsthand.”
A documentary about the Bronze Delegation trip will be released in the coming months. After such a successful trip, MCPS hopes this journey will continue on in the future. To experience cultural exchange from right here in MCPS, students should consider learning new languages, staying up to date with other countries’ media, engaging with other cultures or even apply to host international students. There are so many ways to exchange with other cultures, which in turn is making a big difference in the relationships and bonds between the US and other countries.
