Every year, more than 2,600 children arrive in Britain. We ask some new arrivals what they like best about their new lives and what’s different from home.

I don’t know anybody from Poland here, but I’m lucky because the English boy next door is very friendly and kind. We are in the same class! I like teachers here. At home, the teachers seem a bit strict and serious. There are a lot of rules, too. Here, teachers are patient and don’t give much homework. We students go out of school and buy pizza or burgers at lunchtime. We can’t do that in Poland.

It’s too cold here! I hate doing sports, especially outside in winter. The teacher here is very serious about sports. I prefer science and maths. I love the maths class because the teacher is really funny, just like my maths teacher in India. The school is so big and some students seem unfriendly, and I’m from a small village school, so I think it’s hard to communicate with them.

My sister and I like living here. It’s cool! My sister loves the British accent (口音). Everybody here is very polite. But we don’t understand all your strange words—we say “yard” not “garden”, and “apartment” not “flat”. The food is better here. There’s Chinese, Indian and Thai. At home we eat too much fast food.

Do you know how to cook, clean or grow plants? If not, you will know soon. These will all be part of Chinese public education starting this fall.

A new standard (标准) for labor (劳动) education recently came out. Students in primary and middle school will have at least one class a week to try and experience different kinds of labor and learn different life skills and even job skills. The standard includes different tasks for each grade. For example, fifth and sixth-graders learn to cook two or three common dishes, like fried eggs or scrambled eggs with tomato (番茄炒蛋).

This move is to enrich Chinese students’ life and build their character through labor. Chinese school education didn’t pay enough attention (重视) to this in the past. According to a 2019 report, Chinese kids only do 12 minutes of practical activity each day, while US kids do 1.2 hours each day, China Daily reported.

In addition to household skills, students will have a chance to try new technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting (激光切割). They will also learn to make traditional handicrafts (手工艺品).

What are the cultural differences between China and the West? You might be able to find the answer in Cao Siyu’s comics (漫画).

Cao, 32, was born in Beijing, but left home at 20 and has studied and lived in the US, the UK, and France over the last 12 years. Having seen so many cultures, Cao wanted to use her artistic skills to present the differences she has experienced. So she created the cartoon series Tiny Eyes Comics.

“My experience shows that although travel is much easier and faster today, the distance between cultures hasn’t shortened.” Cao said. She hopes to build bridges and break down misunderstandings between different cultures.

For example, one of her cartoons shows water preferences in different countries. Three glasses of water are shown. The glass of water from the US has ice; the one from France is full of sparkling water (气泡水); the one from China is steaming (冒热气的).

Cao also uses her cartoons to show different ways of thinking and social customs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, she used her comics to explain why Chinese people prefer to wear masks, while Western people don’t. “Her simple sketches (速写) have played a big part in showing Chinese culture.” Italian magazine Grazia reported.

Many foreign readers say that Cao’s comics help them understand China, and Chinese immigrants (移民) have felt that they are seen and understood. She said that this feedback (反馈) has been the biggest motivation (动机) for her to keep creating.

While long-distance travel is not a top choice because of the COVID-19, camping gets more popular for people living in cities.

A report showed that during the May Day holiday in 2022, searches about camping increased by 117 percent compared with April. Forests and islands were the two most popular places. Ji Nan went camping with her friends in the mountains during the holiday. She said camping is a good way to get closer to nature and enjoy outdoor activities for good health. “At the same time, it can bring friends together and close, ”she added.

The growing popularity has also increased the need for camping things, such as tents, outdoor tables and chairs and sleeping bags. That's good news for businessmen.

However, the need for campsite is greater than the available places. “Everywhere is full and there is a lent every several meters. ”a tourist said. Besides, camping isn’t always good for the local environment. In the campsite, some of the grassland is getting harder and harder without grass on it because of too much foot traffic. Trash, like bamboo barbecue（烧烤）sticks and disposable（一次性的）plates, could be seen everywhere.

The government needs to provide more green space for tourists and call on people to protect the environment while camping.

Traveling by subway can sometimes be a challenge, especially during rush hour. You have to fight your way into the carriage(车厢), and keep away from others' hot water. The smells of some passengers' food are very strong, too.

Since April, the local government of Beijing has collected public opinions on the new Beijing Subway Passenger Rules. The rules say that if passengers have bad manners while on the subway, they will end up with bad credit(信用) scores or even being refused by the subway. Four kinds of behaviors(行为) were added to the new rules. They include stealing others' seats, eating or drinking, handing out advertisements, and not paying for the tickets.

As for eating and drinking on the subway, ①不同的人有不同的观点. Some people support the rules that all passengers except babies and people with certain health problems are not allowed to eat or drink on the subway. ②The have pointed out that the smell of food and drink can make other passengers unhappy.

However, others question this rule, saying that drinking water should be allowed ③____