Experiencing Chinese Culture in Flushing, Queens

Mandarin III and IV students recently went on a field trip to Flushing, Queens, an area known for its incredible cultural diversity. The neighborhood is home to people from various Asian countries, including China, Korea, Taiwan, India, and others. This creates a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions.

When students arrived in Flushing, they recognized Chinese characters on street signs. We used this opportunity to discuss the difference between simplified and traditional characters. 

Students learn about food items, dining etiquette, and hotpot restaurants in class. Our field trip gave students an immersive experience, connecting classroom learning with the real world. On the first stop, students visited a Chinese grocery store and participated in a scavenger hunt for food items used in a hotpot meal. After the scavenger hunt, students visited the Chinese hotpot restaurant, Haidilao. Students learned about the vocabulary and the process of ordering hotpots and made sauces to enjoy. 

“I really enjoyed eating the hotpot as I am not an adventurous eater, so it was nice to try something new and learn more about Chinese cuisine. I also enjoyed walking through Chinatown as I got to experience its busy environment,” shared Isabel Loeffler-Kaplan ‘26.

Following the trip, we discussed the cultural perspectives and what products students observed, learned, or found interesting. Students were then assigned a project — a presentation, report, model, video, or any creative output — to share what they learned from the trip. Honors Mandarin III plans to turn the classroom into a hotpot restaurant with props and make a video of a hotpot experience. 

“Before the field trip, I had never been to Chinatown in Flushing,” said Nate Samelson ‘26. “I knew the general culture from the information we learned in class, and I thought it was a small area in New York with some aspects of Chinese culture. I didn’t know it would be highly distinct from the rest of the city.”