Over two weeks and across four locations in Hubei province in central China, two journeys of cultural discovery unfolded for 21 American high school students.

Reflecting on their experiences through camera lenses and paintbrushes, the students showcased their collective memories in an art exhibition that opened on Sunday in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The group, mainly based in California with several students from other US states including Florida and Tennessee, traveled to China during the summers of 2024 and 2025. Immersing themselves in Chinese language, culture, cuisine, customs and everyday city life, they captured vivid moments throughout their journeys. By documenting iconic landscapes and ordinary scenes, the students offered a US youth-centered perspective on contemporary China.

Their photographs and reflections are featured in China in the Eyes of Americans, an exhibition now open to the public at the Cupertino City Library.

Hosted by the US-China Culture and Communication Association, the exhibition includes photography, sketches and short narratives created during visits to Wuhan, Enshi, Xiaogan and surrounding areas.

Chloe Xiao, a sophomore at Valley Christian High School in California, runs the Youth Horizon Culture Connection Association, which teamed with UCCA to organize this exhibition. She told China Daily that participating in programs like this allows her to better understand not only the Chinese language, but also China's long history of civilization, its people and the unique charm of its intangible cultural heritage.

"In Enshi, we put on traditional Tujia attire, gaining first-hand experience of the elegance and rich heritage of the Tujia culture," Xiao said, adding that the silver hair ornaments and full sets of costumes were "gorgeous."

Jasmine White, a senior at Carlmont High School in California, focused her photography on bridges in Hubei, particularly the Yingwuzhou Yangtze River Bridge, which connects Wuhan and Dayu Myth Park.

"This trip taught me the significance of bridges in China," she said. "They represent connection: linking people, communities and cultures across generations." She added that she hoped to preserve those moments by "capturing the stories of each place."

For Benjamin Li, a sophomore from Florida, forming friendships made the experience especially meaningful. One stop on the trip included a visit to a university in Enshi, where many students come from ethnic minority backgrounds. The American students were warmly welcomed by their Chinese peers.

"I met new friends in Enshi. We laughed, played games and had fun together," he said. "It made my summer unforgettable."

Aiden Wei Tanner, a senior from San Jose, California, compared his China trip with previous travels to Europe. "Those cities in Europe feel distinctly foreign. China is different," he said. "I felt part of the culture rather than an outsider." That sense of belonging, he added, shaped how he photographed everyday life in Hubei, from store owners and students to chaperones and strangers.

"Those shared moments made the trip meaningful and unforgettable," he said.

For Iris Zhu, a freshman from California, the biggest takeaway was the improvement in her Chinese language skills. Although the 2025 trip was her first visit to Hubei, she said the experience allowed the students to learn about China in ways that are rarely possible.

"This trip allowed us to learn about China in ways most people never do," Zhu said. "Seeing how China's traditions and culture differ from America's made the experience especially meaningful."

Song Min, president of UCCA, said he initiated the program six years ago out of a sense of urgency and necessity to connect young people from China and the United States.

"When young people start to listen to their peers and learn from each other, great things will happen," he said.

Over the years, Song has worked closely with American students to design programs that reflect their interests and curiosity about China.

"In China, these American students are not only observers," Song added. "They are practitioners of cross-cultural communication."

Liang-Fang Chao, vice-mayor of Cupertino, also spoke at the exhibition. She encouraged the students to value the relationships they formed.

"What matters," she said, "is the friendship you made, the memories you brought back and the stories you shared with us."