Game Change: Bridging the U.S. - China Divide Through Sport

UVA's Ping Pong Tour

Game Change: Bridging the U.S. - China Divide Through Sport

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In January 2024, 12 UVA students boarded a flight to China as part of a J-Term course called “Game Change: Bridging the U.S.-China Divide Through Sport.” In this video, the students recount their experiences and what made this course memorable.

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Abdallah playing table tennis
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Abdallah Aljerjawi encourages us to not let differences be a stumbling block, but let to them be a driving force for a shared humanity

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Misa Layne in Beijing
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Misa Layne reflects on the J-term class to China and shares how fun, yet competitive game of Ping Pong can be extrapolated to the real world and to international relations.

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Amani, Margaux and Abigail in Shanghai
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Amani Akkoub spent the last day in Shanghai shopping for souvenirs with friends and trying street food stalls.

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Margaux at Shanghai Pearl Tower
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Margaux Reppert shares the highlights from the last full day in Shanghai - from touring the Shanghai French concession to a river cruise on Hangpu river at night.

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Fudan University winners
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Allan Cheng shares his excitement about playing ping pong with students from Fudan University and Shanghai University of Sports 

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At the Beijing Train station
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Emil Ivanov shares his first experience in a high speed bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai

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UVA students at the Great Wall
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Keane Tao capture the last day in Beijing where UVA Students climbed the Great Wall of China, explored local neighborhoods and enjoyed local delicacies.

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UVA Students Play Ping Pong with Tsinghua Students and celebrates 53rd year of the Ping Pong diplomacy reports Beijing Time, a Beijing based media outlet.

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Beijing Time, the media outlet in China's capital Beijing covers the visit to Forbidden City by the University of Virginia students.

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Yihui at Tsinghua
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Yihui Yap shares the excitement of UVA students as they play their first ping pong matches at Tsignhua University. 

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UVA Students at Tiananmen
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Abigail Barr finds friendship and great sense of community while exploring palaces, meetings and state dinners.

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Visit to Victoria Peak
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Thomas Chia reflects on how Hong Kong has captivated him with its energy, its people, and its unique blend of tradition and modernity.

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Students arrive in Hong Kong
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UVA Students explore Hong Kong on their first day of the course and play Ping Pong with alumni

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UVA students at Dulles airport
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Today’s the day!

As we ushered in the new year, we also started our J-term course Game Change: Bridging the U.S. China Divide through sport.

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On January 1, 2024, 12 University of Virginia students will wing their way to China for a 12-day J-term course “Game Change: Bridging the U.S.-China Divide through Sport” that will delve into the history of U.S.-China sports diplomacy, especially in the current challenging bilateral relationship,