Forty-three exchange students and six teachers from Shanghai are visiting Mansfield and enjoyed exploring downtown. They were searching for iconic lettering engraved in the monuments of central park on Friday. The exchange group is here to study American culture, drama, the English language, and to explore what it’s like to live in an American town.
The students will also tour cities New York, and Washington D.C. on their trip, but for the next week, they are enjoying Mansfield. Jane Xu said they are excited to spend time here.
Mary and Myron Maglott are hosting the exchange group from Shanghai. Mary teaches English as a second language, and as part of the Adult Education Center on Fifth Street. She has also utilized technology to teach English via Skype, which is the way she got to know Cesilia before she came to the United States. “Her English is pretty good,” Maglott stated, pointing out one student.
This is the first year the couple has taken the reins of the Forte International Exchange Association. Mary Maglott has participated in the hosting process for at least seven years, and got Myron involved shortly thereafter. Wanda Denman initiated the program in Mansfield, and got Maglott started because she could teach English. Now Mary and Myron Maglott host the program themselves. Classes are held at Mansfield City Schools and followed by a community activity.
Pastor Paul Lintern who resides at the St. Luke’s church, at his ‘chime’ (church + home), is also hosting a few students. He was organized the community scavenger hunt in downtown, handing out envelopes to students who returned with photographs on Canon cameras and iPads. It’s a new group every year, and this is his fifth year helping make the Shanghai-Mansfield experience something enjoyable and educational. Pastor Paul teaches the Shanghai students about American culture, music and drama.
Jane Xu, a teacher in Shanghai, spoke on a few matters that both differentiate and connect us.
Xu stood alongside a small group of eight and ninth graders in Mansfield Central Park. Leona Liu was glad to share her favorite thing about Mansfield so far, “Handsome boys.” Liu wore a ball cap representing the Forte exchange program.
Xu, said her favorite American food was “Meat! Meat! Meat!” They had just had pizza for lunch and had the opportunity to try a pizza of almost every variety.
Xu said that she is excited to see New York, “Its most like Shanghai. It is a world city.” Shanghai is the largest city by population in the People’s Republic of China. New York is America’s equivalent of a greater city populous. Xu anticipates seeing Washington D.C. as well. Holding a brochure with two languages, she pointed out the site she awaits seeing, including the U.S. capitol building. “I also want to see the White House,” Xu said.
She is a politics teacher in China, teaching grades eight and nine. She said her students learn, “a moral education.” Students graduate at her school at the ninth grade, and Xu considers moral education an important one.
The Shanghai students were enjoyed their afternoon downtown, putting up peace signs together in groups. Their intrigue and eagerness to discover even more of our town, presented a unique scene during downtown’s picnic in the park. Teachers and youth from the other side of the world were seeing Mansfield with a bright perspective, when given the freedom to explore it.
