Muscatine Students Expand Their Horizons Through Study Abroad in China

Pictured above: The study abroad participants and trip chaperones pose for a photo with their Wanxiang Polytechnic student ambassadors at the train station.

MUSCATINE, IA – Through the Sarah D. Lande Education Co., in partnership with Wanxiang America Corporation, eight students from Muscatine participated in a Study in China Experience. This immersive four-week program allowed students to explore China, study the Chinese language, participate in cultural experiences, and gain insight into clean energy science.

“Going on this trip really made me rethink my career aspirations,” said a student participant. “I realized that there are so many different opportunities and pathways you can take to have an impact on the world around you, especially in the clean energy industry.”

The program ran from June 22 to July 22, 2026. During their time in China, students visited the Forbidden City, climbed the Great Wall, explored local monuments and street markets, and experienced daily life with host families. In addition, they attended seminars and workshops focused on introductory Mandarin, Chinese history and customs, and the development of clean energy at Wanxiang Polytechnic in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province.

“These experiences teach you about yourself. You start to notice the assumptions you carry, the things you value, the ways you've been shaped by home. And then, those things are expanded and strengthened by the people you meet,” said Adrianne Towe, a trip chaperone. “I couldn’t be prouder of our students. They discovered that meaningful relationships don't require the same language or the same traditions; they require curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to show up for one another.”

One participant reflected, "The final conversation I had with the student ambassadors made me realize how quickly a friendship can form. It helped me understand that we're more alike than we are different, and that's something I'll carry with me forever."

This partnership is part of the 100,000+ Strong Education Exchange Initiative in China. This initiative is designed to deepen the friendship and cultural understanding between China and the United States.

Another participant noted, “When in a foreign country, you have to remember: You must adapt to them, not them to you. You must be accepting of a lot of things that you aren’t used to in order to make the most of the experience.”

The friendship between Sarah Lande and President Xi didn't begin because they spoke the same language. It began because they made room for one another—with kindness, generosity, curiosity, and respect. Those simple choices became a friendship that has touched generations and connected communities across an ocean.

The Sarah D. Lande Education Co. and Wanxiang America Corporation Study in China Experience is supported by the Friendship Education Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, which was established to provide opportunities for students to expand our educational diplomacy relationships and friendships, primarily with China. This study abroad program has been offered seven times since 2012.