Western Academy of Beijing High School students had the chance to connect with ancient and modern China through a special project.

As part of their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Geography class, and led by teacher Oliver Picton, the students researched hutong gentrification in Beijing.

They studied developed and undeveloped hutong areas in Beijing, visited the city planning museum, mapped areas for layout, and interviewed residents, shop owners and public officials.

"This project highlights for students how the urban environment in Beijing is changing - socially, economically, environmentally and morphologically," Oliver said. "By exploring how different stakeholders are impacted by change students become more aware of local issues and the impacts of decisions made in urban planning."

Students are able to understand complex academic concepts and processes in geography when tangible, local examples are used, Oliver explained, expressing how fortunate it is that WAB students are able to connect with a historically rich environment.

"In our daily lives our staff and students are engaged with our host country to various degrees and in different ways," Oliver said. "For us, China engagement is deeply embedded in our thinking."

Wang Wenjing, WAB's director of China Studies, believes this project is important because it enables students to put into practice WAB's core values by connecting with local people, communities and values and beliefs from the perspective of a global citizen.

"China Engagement brings the Core Values to life to our students through learning in China, which helps them to reach an enduring understanding of the world and our own diversity," Wenjing said. "This project deepens the students' appreciation and understanding of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture. "

Aside from the hours of hard work, students were also able to enjoy themselves, as they walked around the lively, culturally infused hutongs. The streets are filled with colors in the windows of various shops; smells from restaurants and food stands attract students to traditional cuisine; and old men driving rickshaws brings the feeling of old China meeting modern times. Students are able to understand and interact with the people and places of this popular tourist destination in a deep, unique way.

"Every year I am impressed by their ability to converse with local residents and visitors in the hutongs to explore how gentrification and tourism are impacting their lives," Oliver said.

This project got strong support from the WAB Board, WAB Director Mr. Courtney Lowe and HS Principal Ms. Melanie Vrba. WAB Founder Mr. Michael Crook went with the students for the interviews with local government officials in Andingmen. Special thanks goes out to the WAB China Studies Department for helping with the coordination of this project in the local Chinese community.